HDTV Heads-Up: Eruption, The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Among TV3’s HD highlights for the week starting October 9 is Eruption, the Gibson Group’s sequel-of-sorts to its earthquake dramatisation, Aftershock.

Whereas as the latter explored how survivors of an earthquake in Wellington might cope, the former follows the fortunes of Aucklanders before and after a volcanic eruption.

It’s from the same scriptwriter, Graeme Tetley, and stars Mark Mitchinson (Show of Hands), Kone Tuhaka (Shortland Street) and Nicola Kawana (Legend of the Seeker).

Because it’s in HD, expect the special effects to be on a grander scale than Aftershock’s SD vfx.

Eruption will screen 8.30pm on October 13, four days after another HD premiere, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, the second movie that was creakily spun off the ’90s paranormal TV hit.

As the New York Daily News rightly observed: “The truth is, the mystery pales next to the best X-Files plots. But fans will appreciate sly references to past episodes, an unexpected appearance from an old friend and the still-poignant bond our heroes share.”

Although another US critic lamented: “Not once does Mulder answer his cell phone to hear those immortal lines: ‘It’s Scully. There’s been another death.'”