Air Date: Monday, September 26, 2011, 9/8c on Fox
Skye and Josh firing at Slashers
During the first hour of Terra Nova (check out my advance review), we’re introduced to all of the main players who will impact the life of this show. I still believe the colony feels too familiar to Jurassic Park but it’s a smidge more exciting. The second half of “Genesis” answers a few questions I have but leaves me with quite a few more: the Sixers have an agenda (though we’re not sure what it is yet); Terra Nova isn’t exactly what it seems; and the alien scratchings aren’t alien at all. They belong to Commander Taylor’s (Stephen Lang) son and are mathematical in nature. So that leads me to believe there is a way to get back to the future (ha!) and if anyone can figure it out within the gates of Terra Nova, it’s Maddy (Naomi Scott). She seems to reveal her genius without knowing she’s letting out a big secret. I can’t wait until Commander Taylor gets wind of her and tries to use her smarts to his advantage.
Observations:
Do you ever get a feeling that something bad is about to happen or everything that can go wrong does? That’s how I was feeling the entire time the security team is searching for the stranded teens outside the gates of the compound. The suspense is exciting and I didn’t know what would happen from one moment to the next. Honestly, I was hoping someone would be eaten. I got a Star Trek flashback when Hunter (Sam Parsonson) gets dragged off by a Slasher after Max (Eka Darville) says he’ll be the last one to get eaten. “If a Slasher’s gonna munch on any of us, it won’t be your scrawny ass.” Talk about your comedic timing!
Skye taking charge to protect Hunter from getting eaten (again)
Moonshine? Out of all the things left behind in the 21st century, the kids just can’t go without alcohol. How they discover the stuff, I don’t know, but using any old fruit (or “frut” as they call the fruit/nut combination) to make it seems simple. I swear, the next thing you know someone will have discovered marijuana and they’ll be rolling up doobies (ha, ha!) and having secret ‘relaxation’ parties. I could understand the adults having a need for libation, but the teens? I’d buy it more if they’d discovered some adult’s stash and held weekly raids to get lit. These kids don’t really have a reason to escape everyday life. They are living the dream (well, for them anyway). What terrible card has life dealt that they need to drink away their woes? Oh, right… the dinosaurs.
There is some nice character development as we learn more about Commander Taylor. He has a “missing” son. I’m wondering if this son isn’t a crazed genius who will be revealed once whatever needs to be done at Terra Nova is completed and they can all go home. Although, I thought the point was they were on a different wavelength of time and whatever was done in the past wouldn’t affect the future. I’ll be scratching my head on that one as well as trying to figure out how upon first arriving, Commander Taylor survived 118 days alone, in the jungle with carnivorous dinosaurs. He’s bad-ass, but I didn’t think he was that bad-ass. “This jungle can be survived.” I’m liking the commander more and more.
I think Skye (Allison Miller) is both a good and bad influence on Josh (Landon Liboiron). Why? Simply because she gets him into trouble, then gets him out of it while not feeding him bullshit when he wants someone to agree with him that parents suck. Yes, parents can suck, but sometimes that’s their way of being good parents. I should know, being a parent and a child! I think if Skye had conceded the point to Josh and made him feel he was completely right for ragging on his dad, he wouldn’t understand the severity of his actions.
Commander Taylor on the search to find the missing teens
I like Mira (Christine Adams) and I want to know what she knows. Of course we won’t learn anything yet as this is only the first episode, but my interest is piqued and I’m definitely along for the ride. She’s a woman in charge and doesn’t leave a man behind. That says something about her character.
I know Jim (Jason O’Mara) used to be a cop (and is on his way back to resurrecting his career) but what kind? Was he a detective or a beat cop? He seems to be the only one who’s aware of what’s going on around him and making astute observations. Either his knowledge will get him into trouble or it will help him. I’m betting on the former.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoy the rush I get from watching Terra Nova. The special effects have me hooked and I’m dying for a taste of just how fresh that 85-million-year-young air is. And I’d like to test the theory that being in a life or death situation I’d be able to handle high-powered weaponry I’ve never seen before. Yeah, I had to sneak that little jab in. Until next time, steer clear of the meat-eaters—they run in packs.
Tune in to Terra Nova, on Mondays at 8/7c on Fox. For more on the show, visit http://www.fox.com/terranova/.
All photos © 2011 Fox. All rights reserved.
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