Wolf Lake (TV Series) Unaired Pilot (2001) User Reviews

Wrong time, wrong channel

[salena · 7/10 · 5 November 2001]

"Wolf Lake" wasn't a bad show, but it had the misfortune of being on the wrong network (CBS) at the wrong time (right after 9/11). The promotion machine wasn't put into high gear for the program because it came at the time when everyone in the country was glued to the news, and I don't think the network had that much faith in it anyway.

WL was not a compelling piece of TV such as "The X-Files" its first few seasons, but it was enjoyable nevertheless, and I would have watched it regularly. I also don't think that CBS had the right demographic for the show. I don't see fans of "Everybody Loves Raymond" or "Judging Amy" getting all rabid (excuse the pun) over a show about sexy werewolves. Kind of the same problem that ABC's "Prey" had in the late 1990's. Perhaps Sci-Fi Channel will pick up, or at least the rest of the episodes to run on their "Inhuman Land" day.

classy series

[Yukster_uk · 9/10 · 9 June 2002]

this programme is extremely well written, funny and sinister. It is a pity they axed it because it is far better than most of the rubbish they broadcast. Lou Diamond Philips is cool in this and the Tyler Creed character is a charismatic villain. Looking like a werewolf myself, it was great how they cast the male actors to look lupine. People in the UK should watch this before its run ends- Tues 1230am, ITV.

The best werewolf story I've ever seen.

[Byrnstar · 21 January 2003]

A policeman comes to the Pacific Northwest town of Wolf Lake searching for his girlfriend, who vanished one night after being attacked. What is revealed to the viewer, however, is that the town has a secret; a small population of 'skinwalkers' - called werewolves by some - has survived here, coexisting with the local humans and sometimes even marrying them.

The 'Wolf Lake' series gives a fascinating glimpse into the possible society, beliefs, and troubles a species of 'skinwalkers' might have. There is infighting for power, for love, for and against beliefs that might be killing them. There is a struggle between a young character learning of her powers against her father who has long denied his. There is the problem of a gene pool so small and fragile that more than half of the children born die at puberty, in their first change from man to animal. There is the constant struggle to balance the human nature with the wolf, to remain hidden from the world; and a fight against those humans who know and simply refuse to accept coexistance.

This series is a powerful tribute to the fact that instead of the 'monsters' so often portrayed in stories, 'werewolves' might actually be wonderful, beautiful, if at times savage creatures in their own right; creatues with just as much right to exist as any of us. And it shows that, perhaps, 'skinwalkers' are no worse - indeed, in some ways they might be better - than the humans that fear them.

would have survived now

[jdvado · 10/10 · 31 October 2005]

This show was one of the most original shows I have ever seen. Unfortunately it came out at a time when I think audiences and networks weren't willing to receive it. Political and era shows, especially reality t.v. were much more popular and Wolf Lake got lost in the mix of it. Wolf Lake brought something refreshing with excellent actors and writers and kept you coming back for more! Now we live in a time of interesting, atypical story plots that contain the unusual. If Wolf Lake would have came out now, it would have been extremely popular, especially with people loving shows like Lost, Medium, Invasion, 4400...things with sci-fi like plots.

Too bad CBS didn't give it a chance and wouldn't let it be picked up by another station...it definitely would have had a cult following similar to that of Buffy or Angel.

Very Creepy

[wellwords · 10/10 · 24 October 2005]

The show was spectacular... Every single character had charisma, every episode was worth re-watching, again, and again. I would love to see it out on DVD. My videos of the airings have become sadly fuzzy. On one of my favorite episodes, the sound is going crunchy. Why is this not on DVD yet?! The two things I liked best about the series, were, first- the Actors they choose, and how they interacted with one another, how almost every one of them was lovable in some fashion, even the super villains, and secondly- the way it was shot. They are able to communicate, with visuals, what is happening in/to the mind of the person you are seeing. Usually directors cop-out on this point, and show you what the person they want you to empathize with is looking at. In Wolf lake, they do this a couple of times, but in a number of key scenes, you are looking at a person experiencing something, and you understand what they are feeling, what they are going thru, because of the way the screen displays the inner mind. This is difficult to explain, but I think, is the best reason I loved this show.

Loved the show

[AndreC7894 · 10/10 · 26 June 2002]

I wish UPN would pick up the show for a second season. I liked the suspense that surrounded the show. The idea of a clan of human/wolves living in their own community and trying to protect themselves from outsiders made the show unique and interesting. The last episode just left too many unanswered questions. I hope that someone, whether it be UPN or some other network, have a heart and give the fans of the show another season.

Too smart for TV

[June Wilson · 10/10 · 17 May 2002]

It was smart, it was thought-provoking. It reminded me of The Kindred which was also short-lived. It was the perfect escapism we all need from 'real-life'. You were drawn into their lives and their secrets but being too smart for TV it was taken away from us far too soon.

this is a must watch series!

[octavia421 · 10/10 · 5 December 2001]

This show is interestingly addicting. I find myself longing for every wednesday 10:00 because this show is so great. It strikes the imagination, and is also mysterious. This is one of the best t.v. series I have seen. Not only am I a fan of horror, but also a fan of mystery. I reccomend watching this show to anyone who loves horror and edge of the seat excitement. This show is utterly great.

Ahead of its Time?

[Carrigon · 30 October 2001]

Well, Wolf Lake was canceled today by CBS. That was no surprise. Anytime I actually like a tv show it gets canceled. But I think the networks really didn't give this show a fair chance. First of all, it premiered right on the heels of Sept. 11th. So many of us couldn't pull ourselves away from the news long enough to watch much of anything. I still believe that had alot to do with the ratings. I'm also not sure if the show's day and timeslot were quite right. Not to mention the Network itself. Perhaps the SciFi channel or UPN would have been more appropriate. Wolf Lake wasn't a bad show. I liked the actors and the characters were kind of interesting. I would have watched the whole season. I wish the actors good luck in their future roles.

They should bring back the tv show.

[mat-27579 · 10/10 · 3 August 2019]

It's a good TV show I still watch it till this day if only if they could finish the missing episodes after episode 9 that would be awesome. And put it on the Syfy network.

Fantastic! needs a second season!!!!

[matrain40 · 10/10 · 15 February 2009]

I saw this show for the first time to day when they aired it on channel 199 which for dishnetwork viewers is the chiller channel... I was total engaged and never left for a moment other than during commercials for bathroom breaks! I hope that since chillers is being able to air this one now that they will do a second season and soon!!! I hate how they left you hanging wondering... what will happen to John next. Will he change now that he has Ruby's blood in him?! Will they be together?! Where did she go when he released her!!! What will happen with Sophia and her dad now that he knows that she is about to flip and what happened to make her so upset at the end!!! So many unanswered questions! It just isn't right to leave us all hanging!!! I totally would be watching this no matter what time they put it on! Matter of fact for all of you who might want to watch again just because it is so good or to get a refresher in case they are planning on bringing this one back... They will be airing them again on Chiller channel 199 for Dishnetwork viewers at 1 AM. I know I will be there!!! Maybe if enough of us watch they will bring it back! I think this one could go for many more series if they wanted it to and do really good!!! I am gonna pray that they do decide to bring it back and soon!!! And hopefully with the same actors!!! They were all so great!

Good Show. Bad call on cancellation.

[tjhairball · 12 May 2004]

I remember seeing Wolf Lake on UPN... it was (unlike Enterprise - in spite of or because I'm familiar with Star Trek), good enough to catch my attention and interest me in watching it. Not many shows do. It was intriguing, reasonably well done.

I found the nice little complexities of life rounded out nicely - yes, being a werewolf would throw some kinks in plans for a future life outside of town. Yes, werewolf pack dynamics can cause some legal problems.

A nice premise and an interesting show on the matter. It's unfortunate that it got cancelled, but I suppose I'm not the target demographic that CBS likes to try and sell things. Considering all the horrible TV shows out there that made it for several seasons, it feels particularly ironic.

I love this show

[crazy4chris814 · 20 May 2002]

I love this show and would hate to see it canceled. The plot is great and the character development is interesting and addictive to want to watch the next episode. Especially the two characters of luck and sophia. I hope UPN does not cancel it.

i agree!!!

[Midnight_Wanderer_Majestica · 26 January 2003]

I absolutely love wolf lake!!! It is (or should i say was) a very good show and I would like to know if it will ever be put back on! omg I love this show and of course when I like a show they have to cancel it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why???? How could they???!!!!! I would like to even watch it now!

This must be the pilot's cast/character list

[davidemartin · 3 April 2002]

Compare the name changes between this "Wolf Lake" and the regular TV series--

Lou Diamond Phillips.... Noah Cassidy ---> John Kanin

Graham Greene.... Professor Duke Joseph ---> Sherman Blackstone

Tim Matheson.... Sheriff Jack Kohanek ---> Sheriff Matthew Donner

Bruce McGill.... Dr. Sokolov ---> Willard Cates

Mary Elizabeth Winstead.... Sophia Kohanek ---> Sophia Donner

Adrienne Carter as "Davi Sokolov" got replaced by Mia Kirshner as "Ruby Wilder/Ruby Cates"

Postscript 31July8 -- finally someone at IMDb cleared up the confusion and clearly labeled this entry as the "Unaired Pilot."