Wynonna Earp pilot episode
Written By Emily Andra’s
Directed By Paolo Barzman
The old west meets modern day and Wynonna Earp is one cowgirl who certainly has the blues in Emily Andra’s adaption of the popular comic by Beau Smith. Think Buffy meets Justified and you have a good idea where this is heading.
The opening episode grabs you from the start and despite her hard as nails attitude and habit of looking for answers in a bottle of whiskey, this character captures your attention, cleverly portrayed by Melanie Scrofano.
Wynonna comes into her abilities on her way to her hometown, aptly titled Purgatory, for her uncle’s funeral. Most people don’t ask when someone dies if they still have their head and we quickly learn Wynonna’s demons aren’t only the ones she carries inside. No one seems pleased to see her except her younger sister Waverly played by Dominque Provost- Chalkley who nearly blows her head off with a shotgun by mistake. They do hug after though as, after all, it is Wynonna’s Birthday and she hasn’t seen her in three years.
Wynonna's hometown Purgatory has red neck demons that have set up residence on the outskirts of town .They look human until their eyes glow! These demons have returned from hell , souls once killed by her great great grandfather Wyatt Earp ( yes gunslinging legend of the ok corral) the family curse is they must put down the 77 revenants as they are called with his weapon a colt 45 known as the peace maker. Generations before have tried but failed and once again they rise but those they have killed also rise.
The curse and task fall to the eldest sibling but we learn Wynonna lost both her older sister and her father when demons attacked when she was 12 leaving the curse to fall on her 27th birthday. Wynonna seems to have got into some trouble then ran away as everyone thought she was crazy but the deaths of locals and her uncle are not natural causes.
The killings in the town have also caught the attention of a special division of the Marshall’s Office and Agent Dolls, played by Shamier Anderson, is also in Purgatory and wanting some answers. Wynonna also catches the attention of Agent Dolls who wants to deputise her to his cause. He knows the truth, demons are here.
We also have a charismatic and intriguing stranger who is not human but isn’t demon either. (Lost girl fans will remember him as Massimo the druid. Tim Rozon)
Wynonna is a reluctant heroine and keen to run again but her hand is forced when they attack those closest to her and a showdown at her homestead has more comedy than heroics but certainly makes for an entertaining series.
It left me wanting more …
Wynonna Earp airs 1st April on Syfy
