Forever Knight

Forever Knight
	Title Card for "Forever Knight"
Genre	Horror; Crime drama; Mystery
Created by	Barney Cohen; James D. Parriott
Starring	Geraint Wyn Davies; Catherine Disher; Nigel Bennett; Ben Bass; Deborah Duchêne; Blu Mankuma; John Kapelos; Lisa Ryder; Gary Farmer
Country of origin	Canada
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	70 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time	44–48 minutes
Production company(s)	Glen Warren Productions; Paragon Entertainment Corporation; Tele München; TriStar Television; USA Network; (1995-1996); (season 3)
Distributor	Columbia Pictures Television Distribution; (1994-1995); (season 2); Columbia TriStar Television Distribution; (1995-1996); (season 3)
Release
Original network	CBS (season 1); First-run syndication (season 2); USA Network (season 3)
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	May 5, 1992 –; May 17, 1996

Forever Knight is a Canadian television series about Nick Knight, an 800-year-old vampire working as a police detective in modern-day Toronto, Ontario. Wracked with guilt for centuries of killing others, he seeks redemption by working as a homicide detective on the night shift while struggling to find a way to become human again. The series premiered on May 5, 1992, and concluded with the third-season finale on May 17, 1996.

Plot

The series followed the adventures of Nick Knight, a Toronto cop working the graveyard shift with his partner Donald Schanke. Unbeknownst to most of his colleagues, Nick is actually Nicholas, an 800-year-old vampire (his human surname was reference to his status as a literal knight in medieval France). Remorseful over centuries spent as a vampiric cold-hearted killer, Nicholas works as a cop and often ends up using his special abilities to bring criminals to justice. Whenever he works on his cases, Nicholas remembers similar situations from previous lifetimes and these appear as flashbacks in the episodes. Nicholas explains his need to work on the night shift by claiming to have a skin disorder, photodermatitis, which requires him to stay out of sunlight. Refusing to feed from humans, he survives by drinking bottled animal blood, something that most vampires find repulsive. The only human who knows his true nature is his friend Natalie Lambert, a city medical examiner who doesn't like Nicholas using his special powers as she believes it increases his need for blood.

Nick's ultimate dream is to find a way to become human once again, but his quest for redemption is complicated by the arrival of fellow vampires Lucien LaCroix and Janette DuCharme. Lucien LaCroix, who was a general in the early Roman Empire, and who was turned into a vampire by his daughter Divia as Pompeii erupted in 79AD, originally made Nick a vampire in 1228. Janette was also 'brought across' by LaCroix, before he brought Nick across. They were Nick's companions for many centuries until he left them, seeking redemption and a way to reclaim his lost humanity. Janette now runs a night club, while LaCroix works as a late-night talk radio host. While Janette is scornful yet tolerant of Nicholas's new lifestyle, LaCroix actively attempts to seduce his protégé back to a more violent life.

During the series, Nick had two partners. For the first two seasons it is Don Schanke. At the beginning of the third season, Detective Schanke dies in an airplane explosion caused by a bomber, and Nick is assigned a new partner, Tracy Vetter, a rookie detective who gets the assignment due to her father's high-ranking position in the police force. Tracy finds herself increasingly attracted to Javier Vachon, also a new character, who is a vampire who had been a conquistador in life. Nick and Vachon know about each other, and Tracy knows about Vachon being a vampire, but she never knows Nick is also a vampire. Although Nick continues to protect the "innocent" civilians, he faces circumstances that risk the exposure of the vampire community who, up until this time, were unknown to other humans. Nick is faced with the choice to either move on or attempt to recapture his humanity through a method that puts Natalie's life in the balance. At that point LaCroix appears and indicates the time to leave is near and he must either bring Natalie over or leave her to die. Nicholas decides that neither option is acceptable and hands LaCroix a wooden stake. We do not see what LaCroix does, but we hear him say "Damn you, Nicholas" in stress and frustration, and the scene cuts out to the building where Nick lives and a shot of the sun rising. The ending is left to the viewers' interpretation but the implication is that Nick dies with LaCroix's help, hoping to join Natalie in an afterlife.

Cast

Geraint Wyn Davies as Detective Nick Knight
Nigel Bennett as Lucien LaCroix
Deborah Duchêne as Janette DuCharme
Catherine Disher as Natalie Lambert
John Kapelos as Detective Donald Schanke (seasons 1 & 2)
Gary Farmer as Captain Joe Stonetree (season 1)
Natsuko Ohama as Captain Amanda Cohen (season 2)
Ben Bass as Javier Vachon (season 3)
Lisa Ryder as Detective Tracy Vetter (season 3)
Blu Mankuma as Captain Joe Reese (season 3)
Greg Kramer as Screed (season 3)

Production

Development

The series originated as a 1989 CBS television movie, Nick Knight, with Rick Springfield playing the title character.[1] In 1992, CBS began broadcasting the series as part of its Crimetime After Primetime lineup, with a new name and with Geraint Wyn Davies now playing Nick Knight (using a pilot that had been re-shot with Davies).

The concept of vampires in the Forever Knight universe

Vampires in society

Forever Knight originated the concept of a sympathetic vampire detective in popular culture. As such, it is seen as a direct precursor to other vampire detective/investigator shows such as Angel and Blood Ties.[2] It also influenced shows featuring more broadly supernatural detectives, such as The Dresden Files.[2]

In common with other vampire literature of the 1990s, when AIDS was a common societal anxiety, vampirism in Forever Knight is partly approached as a disease to be overcome.[2] The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is series star Geraint Wyn Davies' favoured charity;[3] the "Bridging the Knight" fan event also raised money for Casey House, an AIDS hospice in Toronto, helped in part by donations from Forever Knight producer Nicolas Gray, as well as the series' actors and crew.[4]

Vampire powers

Nick Knight, as well as several other vampire characters, demonstrates a number of superhuman abilities. As a vampire, Nick has not aged throughout nearly 800 years of existence. In most cases he is invulnerable to harm from gunshot, blunt force trauma, or blade. Vampires in the Forever Knight universe also display the powers of super strength and speed, enhanced senses, flight and a degree of hypnotism/mind control. However, Nick's hypnotism does not always work, especially if the victim has physical evidence that proves opposite to what Nick would have him or her believe. Vampires in the Forever Knight universe are not reanimated corpses as their hearts beat a few times every ten minutes, as is stated in one episode. None of the vampires turn into such things as bats, wolves, mist or fog. It is also never shown that they needed to turn into mist, fog or any other substance to get into or out of small spaces to enter or leave an area.

Two episodes reveal that vampirism in the Forever Knight universe is to some degree a psychosomatic condition. Although vampires suffer the standard aversion to garlic and combust in the presence of holy objects or sunlight, vampires that have forgotten what they are due to suffering a physical or mental trauma are completely unaffected by these things.

Episodes

The series aired on CBS from May 5, 1992 to March 2, 1993, in First-run syndication from September 12, 1994 to July 24, 1995, and on USA Network from September 11, 1995 to May 13, 1996, running for three seasons and a total of 70 episodes. Reruns were also seen in syndication during the mid-to-late 90s.

Sky UK in the United Kingdom broadcast it during 1995 on Sky One at 11pm, marking the only time it was shown in the UK, as it's never been rerun.[5][6]

Home media

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released the entire series on DVD in Region 1 (US only) in 3 volume sets. Madman Entertainment released the entire series in Region 4 (Australia), in the same format.

Season One
Set Details		Notes
22 Episodes 5-Disc Set (North America) / 6-Disc Set (Germany) 1035 minutes 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: varies by region English (Dolby Digital 2 0 Surround)		The North American and German releases contain different edits of the episodes. The German episodes are longer and not censored. This is also how the show was originally broadcast in the respective regions. The German release is in two parts, each containing 3 discs.
Release Dates
North America	Germany	United Kingdom	Australia
21 October 2003	19 February 2010	N/A	1 July 2015[7]

Season Two
Set Details		Notes
26 Episodes 6-Disc Set 1148 minutes 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: English English (Dolby Digital 2 0 Surround)		The German release is in two parts, each containing 3 discs. Commentaries "Killer Instinct" by James D. Parriott and Geraint Wyn Davies "Curiouser & Curiouser" by Nigel Bennett "A More Permanent Hell" by Nigel Bennett "Blood Money" by James D. Parriott and Geraint Wyn Davies
Release Dates
North America	Germany	United Kingdom	Australia
4 January 2005	27 May 2011	N/A	2 September 2015

Season Three
Set Details		Notes
22 Episodes 5-Disc Set 969 minutes 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: English, Spanish and French English (Dolby Digital 2 0 Surround)		Music videos: Black Rose The Hunger Touch the Night
Release Dates
North America	Germany	United Kingdom	Australia
3 October 2006	N/A	N/A	14 October 2015

In other media

Novels

There have been three novels written based on the series:

Susan Sizemore (1997). Forever Knight: A Stirring of Dust. Boulevard Books. ISBN 978-1-57297-238-4.
Susan M. Garrett (1997). Forever Knight: Intimations of Mortality. Boulevard Books. ISBN 978-1-57297-313-8.
Anne Hathaway Nayne (1997). Forever Knight: These Our Revels. Boulevard Books. ISBN 978-0-425-16491-4.

Soundtracks

There have been two soundtrack CDs released that contain selections from the score. The first was released on 25 July 1996 and the second was released on 11 May 1999

*Forever Knight: Original Television Soundtrack*
No.	Title	Artists	Length
1.	"Forever Knight Theme"	Fred Mollin	1:30
2.	"The Hunger"	Fred Mollin, Stan Meissner, Lori Yates	3:12
3.	"What a Wonderful Thing Humanity Is"	Fred Mollin, Nigel Bennett	0:16
4.	"Dark Knight/France 1228/Cherry Blossoms/The Ambush"	Fred Mollin	3:29
5.	"Suite from Queen of Harps"	Fred Mollin	7:23
6.	"Suite from the Hunted"	Fred Mollin	5:23
7.	"Nick's Piano Theme/Suite from Forward into the Past"	Fred Mollin, Geraint Wyn Davies	6:58
8.	"Black Rose"	Fred Mollin, Stan Meissner, Lori Yates	3:42
9.	"Suite from Amateur Night"	Fred Mollin	5:19
10.	"If You Love Something"	Fred Mollin, Nigel Bennett	0:11
11.	"Suite from Be My Valentine"	Fred Mollin	6:41
12.	"Father Figure/Nick's Lullaby to Lisa"	Fred Mollin	2:30
13.	"Suite from Dark Knight"	Fred Mollin	6:12
14.	"You Would Do Well to Avoid Me"	Fred Mollin, Nigel Bennett	0:14
15.	"Touch the Night"	Fred Mollin, Stan Meissner, Lori Yates	4:21
16.	"Avenging Angel/Time Stands Still"	Fred Mollin	3:02
17.	"Curiouser and Curiouser/Nick and Janette"	Fred Mollin	1:39
18.	"Suite from Undue Process"	Fred Mollin	5:06
19.	"Suite from a More Permanent Hell"	Fred Mollin	4:16
20.	"Baby, Baby/CN Tower Finale"	Fred Mollin	1:34
21.	"Only One Thing Is Truly Permanent"	Fred Mollin, Nigel Bennett	0:17
22.	"Dark Side of the Glass"	Fred Mollin, Stan Meissner, Lori Yates	3:21
Total length:			76:36

*Forever Knight: More Music from the Original Television Soundtrack*
No.	Title	Artists	Length
1.	"Forever Knight (Main Title)"	Fred Mollin	1:43
2.	"Night Calls My Name"	Fred Mollin, Lori Yates	3:21
3.	"Humanity"	Fred Mollin, Nigel Bennett	0:23
4.	"Suite from Black Budda: The Explosion/ Vachon Blinks/Goodbye, Schanke/Flashback #2"	Fred Mollin	5:06
5.	"Suite from Blackwing: Flash to the Spirit Plane/Vachon and Tracy/Vachon's Flashback/Nick on the Spirit Plane"	Fred Mollin	6:22
6.	"You Are One Strange Guy"	Fred Mollin, John Kapelos	0:17
7.	"Suite from the Human Factor: Janette on the Stairs/Flashback#2/In the Mall/The Shooting/In the House/Drama Unfolds"	Fred Mollin	8:41
8.	"Heart of Darkness"	Fred Mollin, Lori Yates	3:47
9.	"Suite from Faithful Followers: The Cult Meeting/The Big Moment"	Fred Mollin	4:42
10.	"Suite from Let No Man Tear Asunder: Tracy and the Doc/Nick Rescues Natalie/Vachon and Tracy/Lacroix on the Air"	Fred Mollin	3:41
11.	"Knight in Question: ER Tension"	Fred Mollin	1:40
12.	"Lacroix Reads a Book"	Fred Mollin, Nigel Bennett	0:17
13.	"Destiny's Edge"	Fred Mollin, Lori Yates	3:18
14.	"Suite from Stranger Than Fiction: Natalie's Fantasy/Andrew Gets Weird"	Fred Mollin	2:40
15.	"How Does He Do It"	Fred Mollin, John Kapelos	0:16
16.	"Love You to Death: Charlie and Lucy/Nick Flies"	Fred Mollin	1:27
17.	"Suite from the Fever: Tracy and Vachon/The Terror/A Sad Wrap-Up"	Fred Mollin	3:13
18.	"Ashes to Ashes: More Lacroix and Divia"	Fred Mollin	2:16
19.	"Hasta la Bye Bye"	Fred Mollin, Geraint Wyn Davies, John Kapelos	0:26
20.	"Suite from Games Vampires Play: V.R. Yet Again/Nick Plays Again"	Fred Mollin	3:43
21.	"The Hunter: Nick Flashback #1"	Fred Mollin	2:16
22.	"One Law"	Fred Mollin, Nigel Bennett	0:26
23.	"Break the Silence"	Fred Mollin, Molly Johnson	3:14
24.	"How I Have Faith"	Fred Mollin, Geraint Wyn Davies	0:18
25.	"Suite from Last Knight: Nick and Nat/The Big Moment/Lacroix and Nick Encore/The Final Decision/End of an Era"	Fred Mollin	9:01
Total length:			72:34

Reception

Awards

Forever Knight was nominated for 13 Gemini Awards, and won once in 1996. It was also nominated for a Golden Reel Award in 1992, but did not win. It was ranked #23 on TV Guide's Top Cult Shows Ever in 2004,[8] but was taken off the list in 2007.

Year	Award	Category/Recipient	Result
1992	Golden Reel Award	Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Effects & Foley Kevin Howard	Nominated
1993	Gemini Award	Best Sound in a Dramatic Program or Series Chaim Gilad Terry Gordica Steve Foster Kevin Howard James Porteous	Nominated
		Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series Albert J. Dunk	Nominated
		Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Geraint Wyn Davies	Nominated
		Best Performance by a Supporting Actor Nigel Bennett	Nominated
		Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series Allan Kroeker	Nominated
1994	Gemini Award	Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series Albert J. Dunk	Nominated
		Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Catherine Disher	Nominated
		Best Dramatic Series James D. Parriott Lionel E. Siegel Nicholas J. Gray Jon Slan Richard Borchiver	Nominated
1996	Gemini Award	Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series Deborah Duchêne	Nominated
		Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Catherine Disher	Nominated
		Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Geraint Wyn Davies	Nominated
		Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series Nigel Bennett	Won
1997	Gemini Award	Best Original Music Score for a Dramatic Series Fred Mollin	Nominated
1997	Gemini Award	Best Dramatic Series Jon Slan Richard Borchiver James D. Parriott	Nominated

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References

Guiley, Rosemary; Macabre, J. B. (1994). The Complete Vampire Companion. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-671-85024-1.
Booker, M. Keith (1 May 2010). "Superpower: Heroes, Ghosts, and the Paranormal in American Culture". U of Nebraska Press – via Google Books.
"Forever Knight Series Background". www.loftworks.com.
"Bridging the Knight - Fanlore". fanlore.org.
https://www.neogaf.com/threads/forever-knight-seems-like-the-forgotten-vampire-show.412826/#post-24343522. Missing or empty |title= (help)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programmes_broadcast_by_Sky_One. Missing or empty |title= (help)
"Forever Knight Australian DVD listings". Retrieved June 20, 2016.
May 30 – June 5, 2004 issue of TV Guide.

External links

Forever Knight official site (Sci Fi Channel). Archived from the original on April 5, 2004.
Forever Knight at AllMovie
Forever Knight on IMDb
Forever Knight at TV.com

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] Guiley, Rosemary; Macabre, J. B. (1994). The Complete Vampire Companion. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-671-85024-1.

[auto-2] Booker, M. Keith (1 May 2010). "Superpower: Heroes, Ghosts, and the Paranormal in American Culture". U of Nebraska Press – via Google Books.

[3] "Forever Knight Series Background". www.loftworks.com.

[4] "Bridging the Knight - Fanlore". fanlore.org.

[5] ttps://www.neogaf.com/threads/forever-knight-seems-like-the-forgotten-vampire-show.412826/#post-24343522. Missing or empty |title= (help)

[6] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programmes_broadcast_by_Sky_One. Missing or empty |title= (help)

[7] "Forever Knight Australian DVD listings". Retrieved June 20, 2016.

[8] May 30 – June 5, 2004 issue of TV Guide.

Forever Knight
Episodes
Characters	Nick Knight Janette DuCharme
Book Category