SETTLING THE SCORE
It is pretty difficult to usurp Steven Spielberg’s throne as Hollywood’s sci-fi doyen. He returns to the small screen as an executive producer to impress his fans with Terra Nova, which transports viewers to an alternate pre-historic Earth. DEBASHINE THA
Terra Nova opens in 2149. Viewers are introduced to an over-populated and dying planet – Earth – which lies barren of vegetation and where the air is very limited.
A solution to this problem is found when scientists discover a rift in space-time, which allows people to travel 85 million years back in time. Translated: they get to be neighbours with dinosaurs from the Cretaceous era.
The Shannon family (Jim, wife Elisabeth and their three children: Josh, Maddie and Zoe) are among the Tenth Pilgrimage settlers in Terra Nova. However, their carnivorous neighbours would prefer them as dinner… and so begins the battle for survival of a different kind. Not helping the situation are the Sixers from the Sixth Pilgrimage, who are trying to transport the resources of Terra Nova back to present-day Earth.
MEET THE WARRIORS
STEPHEN LANG (59)
Last seen in: Public Enemies,the Men Who Stare At Goats, Christina, Avatar, Conan
the Barbarian.
Cast as: Commander Nathaniel Taylor. Character back
ground: He is the first person to set foot on Terra Nova.
Besides protecting the settlers in the colony, Taylor has been instrumental in building the new community. He is the adoptive father of
Skye. His son Lucas abandoned Terra Nova to join the Sixers and their cause. Ashamed of the betrayal, Taylor tells everyone he has gone missing. What to expect: In episode four, Taylor works with Elisabeth, Jim and Malcolm to find a cure for a mysterious and fatal virus outbreak.
Crime also rears its ugly head in episode six when the colony has its first murder.
JASON Last Life on seen Mars, O’MARA in: (39) Men Grey’s in Anatomy, Trees, Criminal Band of Minds, Brothers.
Cast as: James “Jim” Shannon Character background: A former Chicago Police Narcotics detective, he received a six-year prison sentence after assaulting a Population Control officer when it was discovered he and his wife were having a third child, which is against the law.
Two years later, after his wife helped him to escape, he and his family are nestled in Terra Nova.
After saving the life of Commander Nathaniel Taylor, he joins their security team as third in command.
What to expect: Shannon and Taylor have to protect the colony from a swarm of pterosaurs in the second episode. SHELLEY CONN (36) Last seen in: Dead Set, Marchlands, How Do You Know?, Strike Back, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Cast as:
Dr Elisabeth Shannon.
Character background: Married to Jim, she is a trauma surgeon recruited for Terra Nova.
What to expect: Elisabeth learns an old flame was instrumental in recruiting her to the past. THE TIME OF THE DINOSAUR
Here’s a quick glossary of some of the dinosaurs, some fictional, featured:
Allosaurus: this is a rather large carnivore that has a head to match.
Brachiosaurus: A huge Sauropod with a small head
and long, flexible neck. Eats only plants and is domesticated by the settlers.
Carnotaurus: Large carnivore with horns, a long tail and tiny arms.
Slasher: Can run up to 72km/h, has colourful feathers and a razor-sharp tail, which can slice a human in half.
Pterosaur: Winged reptiles. They are not dinosaurs, but they are related.
Ankylosaurus: A herbivorous dinosaur with spiked armour and a club-like knot at the end of its tail.
Nicoraptor: A fictional dinosaur that looks like a dirty wild dog. They hunt in packs.