Review: Supernatural ‘Wynonna Earp’ mixes demons, fun

This time Buffy’s got a gun.

OK, the character’s name isn’t Buffy. But the influence of Joss Whedon’s now-classic series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is pretty obvious in the new SyFy series “Wynonna Earp.” And that’s not a bad thing.

Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano) is the great-grandaughter of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, just returning to her prairie town. Which, as it happens, is overrun with demons.

Yep, demons. Turns out that’s what Wyatt was killing all those years ago, and they have a nasty habit of resurrecting themselves. Luckily, as the oldest Earp, Wynonna can channel the magic power of Wyatt’s mighty — and mighty long — pistol.

The logic behind all these demons is a bit shaky, but then again, they’re demons, so who cares? What matters is you’ve got an attractive woman kicking supernatural butt. And, as with Buffy, she comes with her own offbeat Scooby Gang support group.

These include her demon-knowledgeable and adorable younger sister, Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley); a humorless envoy from some obscure and possibly nonexistent branch of law enforcement named Agent Dolls (Shamier Anderson); and likely an Amazonian new local cop named Officer Haught (Katherine Barrell) — pronounced Officer Hot — who’s making lesbian goo-goo eyes at Waverly.

Also in the picture is Wyatt Earp’s old friend, Doc Holliday (Tim Rozon), who looks remarkably spry for someone who’s 164 years old. Actually it’s not quite clear what Doc’s doing in town — he just climbed up out of a well and even though he hangs out with demons, he seems a good sort. (Think Spike, Buffy historians).

It’s all a bit fuzzy, but then it’s all in good fun. Television has plenty of room for strong female characters. Welcome to the party, Wynonna.

Tom Long is a freelance culture critic.

‘Wynonna Earp’

GRADE: B

10 p.m. Fridays

SyFy