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he gang's all back for TNT's second—and perhaps final—original Pretender movie, which delves into the very creation of the Centre and explores who Miss Parker and Jarod really are. As the film opens, Jarod's (Weiss) up to his old tricks again, this time pretending to be an archeosymbologist, or someone who studies ancient symbols. He's looking for a symbol depicting eight skeleton heads in a circle that he saw in a photograph which features his mother and Miss Parker's mother.
With Miss Parker (Parker) hot on his heels, clues lead him to an island off Scotland called Carthis. It's a place where time seems to have stood still for a century, and the locals are spooked. The storm of the century is headed their way, what they call the devil's storm. Jarod sees his mother, only to lose her again when Miss Parker arrives by helicopter.
Moments after an attempt is made on her life, Jarod can only watch as his mother leaves, unaware of his presence, on the last boat off the island. As the storm approaches, a reluctant Miss Parker joins Jarod in his search to find what his mother was looking for. But they are not alone. The person who tried to kill Jarod's mother may be after them, too.
Back at the Centre, there are secrets in every corner, as the Triumvirate attempts to get information out of an injured Mr. Parker (Presnell), Mr. Raines (Marcus) makes a deal with Mr. Lyle (Jamie Denton), and Broots (Jon Gries) and Sydney (Patrick Bauchau) try to discover who Miss Parker's father really is.
On the island, Jarod and Miss Parker begin to put together the puzzles that involves warrior monks, a ghostly child, ancient scrolls and the man who created The Centre. But the discoveries they make are only the beginning for this Pretender and the woman who hunts him.
Few answers, unending questions
Pretender fans shouldn't expect too much resolution, in a film that feels more like a new beginning than a final ending to the series. In a follow-up to the series and the first film, The Pretender 2001, the new film continues by expanding the mythology of Pretender into mystic avenues that include ancient scrolls and ghosts. It is more than a little disconcerting for a science-based series that has spent time exploring clones and genetics.
The Island of the Haunted does offer an exciting story with enough action and spooky elements to keep the mystery going until the very end. It also features some romance for Jarod and Miss Parker, two characters who have spent very little time onscreen together since the series began.
However, The Pretender's strength has always been in the weekly justice Jarod deals out, with the show's dark mythology being the weaker element. Now, with the movies, the mythology has taken the forefront and justice isn't anywhere to be found. While the unique cast of characters, led by Weiss's terrific portrayal of Jarod, always makes Pretender watchable, it's disappointing to see them caught up in a story that takes the series in a supernatural direction and leaves it so unfinished.
Still, fans will no doubt eat up yet another chance to revisit their favorite Pretender with hopes that TNT will continue the franchise with more movies. The network does seem committed to the series, and The Island of the Haunted will complete a 21-hour Pretender marathon that begins on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 11 p.m.
The Pretender has always been a solidly entertaining series with appealing leads. However, the movies have taken the series into a darker place. It's a place that promises few answers and unending questions. The thing that The Pretender's creators don't understand is that if they leave us forever hanging, someday there won't be another movie and we'll be forever disappointed. — Kathie
Also in this issue: Jurassic Park III DVD
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