Sentinel, the
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Sentinel, the
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| Episodes: | 65 |
| Year: | 1996-1999 |
| Country: | United States, Canada |
| Seasons: | 4 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 10, (2) 24, (3) 23, (4) 8 |
| Category: | Paranormal |
| Colour: | Yes |
| Format: | Series |
| Company: | Pet Fly Productions and Paramount Network Television |
| Creator: | Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo |
| Run Time (mins): | 45 |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | UPN |
| First Aired: | March 20, 1996 |
| Last Aired: | May 24, 1999 |
Summary
The Sentinel is a crime drama centred on Detective James Ellison, a police officer distinguished by his exceptionally heightened senses. Ellison previously served in the military and was the sole survivor of a reconnaissance mission into the Peruvian rainforest. He lived for eighteen months among an Indigenous community before being rescued and returning to civilisation. Upon his recovery, he settled in Cascade, Washington, located in the greater Seattle area, where he subsequently joined the police force.
During his service as a detective, Ellison begins experiencing episodes in which his senses intensify to overwhelming levels. Medical examinations reveal no physiological abnormalities, but his condition attracts the attention of Blair Sandburg, a graduate student in anthropology. Sandburg proposes that Ellison has developed the traits of a sentinel, a term derived from observations made by nineteenth‑century explorer Sir Richard Burton, who documented tribal sentinels possessing highly refined sensory abilities. Sandburg offers to study Ellison’s condition and assist him in managing it. Although initially reluctant, Ellison agrees to allow Sandburg to accompany him on investigations in an observational capacity. After Sandburg’s residence is destroyed by criminal activity, he becomes Ellison’s roommate, an arrangement intended to be temporary but which gradually becomes permanent.
Ellison’s sentinel abilities enable him to see, hear, taste, smell, and feel stimuli beyond normal human capacity, providing significant advantages in criminal investigations. However, these abilities carry inherent risks: when Ellison focuses intensely on one sense, he may become unaware of other dangers that would ordinarily be detected through his remaining senses.
The series also features several recurring characters. Captain Simon Banks serves as Ellison’s superior officer and is informed of Ellison’s heightened sensory capabilities. Carolyn Plummer, the department’s forensic specialist and Ellison’s ex‑wife, maintains an amicable relationship with him, with both finding they interact more harmoniously following their divorce.
Cast
Lieutenant Detective James Ellison RICHARD BURGI, Blair Sandburg GARRETT MAGGART, Carolyn Plummer KELLY CURTIS (1), Captain Simon Banks BRUCE A. YOUNG, Alex JERI RYAN (4).
Tags: Paranormal, United States, Canada, 1996, English
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