Terra Nova

[Dexion1619]

Oh come on guys! 2 is one and 1 is none! That was the only trooper doing it right!

[kbilly84]

Oh come on guys! 2 is one and 1 is none! That was the only trooper doing it right!

So then, is Jim EPIC fail? He had NO gun. I wish Taylor had turned around and gave him the 'ole "son I am disspoint"

[mr_slappy75]

I just week's watched this episode on DVR last night... Seemed kinda lack luster. Just that little bit about Taylor pissing off people in the "modern" world. Is it just me, or does that Scientist (Malcolm, or whatever) seem a bit shady?

I agree^^
One thing I didn't get is they've made Jim Shannon out to be such a tough guy (nearly a bad ass) such as popping off to his daughters suitor about him carrying a gun and all but when confronted by Commander Taylor about what Mira might have said while he was captured, he pussed out and just shook his head.
I'm not sure he pussed out, so much as I think Mira's got him thinking, and he wants to find out the "truth" on his own. He didn't want to give Taylor anything to work with/plan for/defend/etc. At least that was the impression I got.

Ditto on that one guys, remember Shannon is by training a cop, in the narcotics division on top of that, so I am thinking a part of him is analyzing the situation and attempting to understand who all the players are, their hierarchy, motivation, etc., doing some detective work.
I have noticed that in all episodes they give him a chance or two at showcasing analytical qualities: When the kids got stranded out with the slasher-tails it was him who figured that the one girl who got away had to cross a stream to do so, thus providing Taylor and his team a better idea of where they were. Then on the ‘horny pterodactyls’ episode he was the one who made the connection between the broken off talon found on the boot of one of the 3 dead security guys to the scratches made by the one flying lizard that scratched either him or his son (can’t remember the details of that one).


Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed watching it, it just could be improved. For instance, did anyone else notice as the 6'ers were coming up to the compound and Jim and Taylor were running out to meet Mira, Jim turned to one of the 20 or so soldiers behind him and asked if he had another gun. And sure enough the soldier, Jim happened to turn to and ask just happened to have one shouldered .
Yeah, I found that more than a bit odd.

Yup, it would have in my opinion made more sense if the soldier/security guy just said "Hey sheriff, here" and handed the spare off to Shannon, but whatever.

Edit: FYI - I don't have the characters memorized, I used IMDB to make sure I had their names correct

[books]

One thing I didn't get is they've made Jim Shannon out to be such a tough guy (nearly a bad ass) such as popping off to his daughters suitor about him carrying a gun [...]

I'm not defending the show (although I'm praying that it finds its footing; seems like it could turn into something fun), but I figured that scene was just a dad messing with a guy dating his teenage daughter. I mean, the kid used the word courtship...if that's not begging daddy to tease him a little bit, I don't know what is.

[kbilly84]

Anyone else have some "Godfather" flashbacks in the scene with the Sixers and the kid?

[majorhavoc]

I have absolutely no problem with dodgy scientific explanations of how two way communication with the future is possible, whether by worm hole, discrete packet x-ray bursts or tin cans and a string. (I was trained well by Star Trek TNG. Anytime the plot required some scientific McGuffin, it was easily resolved by reconfiguring the sensor array to emit a Tachyon beam.)

I just wish the show took off the wheel chocks and really ran with the many fascinating premises available with this sci fi setting. That's what makes really good sci fi so satisfying; it allows the story to go in directions and explore ideas that would be difficult or impossible in shows grounded in reality.

And if you can't delve into weighty subject matter, at least offer up some decent writing. Those subplots involving the kids are so clunky they're excruciating to watch.

(Spoiler Alert. Although trust me, it's not anything you haven't seen [done better] a million times)













After last night's episode, I'm starting to think this show isn't long for this world. Murder most foul uncovers (gasp!) illicit gambling in the local bar? Tell me how this addresses anything more compelling than what we'd see in re-runs of Madlock or Murder She Wrote? This is exactly the type of 'scraping the bottom of the barrel' episode I'd expect to see in a long-running series that has run out of fresh ideas. And yet we're seeing it in what, episode 5 or 6? Be afraid. Very afraid.

Show me the justice in a world without Battlestar Galactica and Firefly, but series like Falling Skies and Terra Nova continue to get made.

[kbilly84]

After last night's episode, I'm starting to think this show isn't long for this world. Murder most foul uncovers (gasp!) illicit gambling in the local bar? Tell me how this addresses anything more compelling than what we'd see in re-runs of Madlock or Murder She Wrote? This is exactly the type of 'scraping the bottom of the barrel' episode I'd expect to see in a long-running series that has run out of fresh ideas. And yet we're seeing it in what, episode 5 or 6? Be afraid. Very afraid.

Show me the justice in a world without Battlestar Galactica and Firefly, but series like Falling Skies and Terra Nova continue to get made.

I can't disagree with much (if any) of that. Especially how good shows die, and shitty ones keep going. But I can't consider Terra Nova shitty just yet. If they don't start really getting into the important stuff - Sixers, is Taylor the antichrist, etc. - In the next episode or two, I may go that route.

[Einher]

I have absolutely no problem with dodgy scientific explanations of how two way communication with the future is possible, whether by worm hole, discrete packet x-ray bursts or tin cans and a string. (I was trained well by Star Treck TNG. Anytime the plot required some scientific McGuffin, it was easily resolved by reconfiguring the sensor array to emit a Tachyon beam.

In ST:NTG I learned that when building a spaceship, it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that the warp-core be designed to be more readily eject-able rather than it is to design it to operate consistently and safely.

You'd think the warp-core was really an engine stripped out of the most poorly maintained pinto ever considering how often they had to poop that core into space to keep from blowing up.

[kbilly84]

So......

Who else was yelling at the TV, "Did no one think to bring an AR or an AK?!?!" The bows were cool, and it was good to see SOMETHING low tech. But damn, why was the bartender the only one with a real firearm? Seems to me that a .50 cal on each turret would make a ton of sense. And Claymore mines (or something of the sort) for the perimeter. So, we meet the son. What was his work? It looked a bit like some sort of virus or pathogen. Maybe the sixers are planning to start a zombie apocolypse

[yale]

I'm ex-Army and still keep a subscription to Army Times. I'm always reading about all of the things they are doing to upgrade military weapons. Trying caseless ammo for rifles and all sorts of electronics. It's not far fetched that in 100 years time they will be using rifles with electric fireing pins and "pulse" rifles as well as sonic repulsers.

[sql_yoda]

I'm ex-Army and still keep a subscription to Army Times. I'm always reading about all of the things they are doing to upgrade military weapons. Trying caseless ammo for rifles and all sorts of electronics. It's not far fetched that in 100 years time they will be using rifles with electric fireing pins and "pulse" rifles as well as sonic repulsers.

I love this show, but I have a hard time accepting that small caliber automatic weapons is what any trained person would pick if they were going to be facing dinosaurs. I can suspend disbelief on the sonic weapons and giant bamboo fence, but asking me to believe that the guys who are sending weapons back in time are mostly supplying smaller than .50 cal ammo - that's the biggest weakness IMHO about the show. Small arms vs. 20 foot tall carnivores who like tasty human flesh.

[kbilly84]

I'm ex-Army and still keep a subscription to Army Times. I'm always reading about all of the things they are doing to upgrade military weapons. Trying caseless ammo for rifles and all sorts of electronics. It's not far fetched that in 100 years time they will be using rifles with electric fireing pins and "pulse" rifles as well as sonic repulsers.

I love this show, but I have a hard time accepting that small caliber automatic weapons is what any trained person would pick if they were going to be facing dinosaurs. I can suspend disbelief on the sonic weapons and giant bamboo fence, but asking me to believe that the guys who are sending weapons back in time are mostly supplying smaller than .50 cal ammo - that's the biggest weakness IMHO about the show. Small arms vs. 20 foot tall carnivores who like tasty human flesh.

Exactly. And I get that advances in tech may yield those type of weapons, but wouldn't someone, somewhere want to send/take back something that is not susceptible to EMP, etc.?

[yale]

So this week we learn that the Sixers can indeed talk with the future. Heck, they are using full blown, real time interactive holigraphic visual comms.

[kbilly84]

Yeah. I couldn't help thinking that was all possibly staged for the kid...

I really find myself liking Taylor less with each episode. He seems like such a shady asshole. Can't wait to find out more about his kid.

[taz-hein]

I think the best thing they could do for this show is:


discover that the time-lines are really the same and that they are changing the future (what Taylor is hiding). the future people try to kill off the dinosaur people (unsuccessfully) (what the Sixer's are trying to do) and necessitating the need to close the time tunnel, permanently (but maybe someone is using it from time to time, subversively ). then let the dinosaurs fight the people without help from the future. ala Legacy of Heorot.

if they don't do something with the show soon, they might as well bring in Zooey Deschanel.

[cauldron]

We're going to sit and watch the next episode in a bit in the bar in the front room. (Amber Bock since you asked)

I like the series, and the way they are keeping a few plot points open. No need to explain everything in the first few episodes, and overall I've enjoyed" Buck Rogers in Jurassic Park".

I think what is being loosely portrayed in this series is how the East India Tea Company (or England, or Spain, or whoever...) treated the colonies of the British Empire. "A new world, and a chance to start over away from the crime and filth of Europe!! And while you're there... could you send us all your resources please? We'll send you finished goods in return. k thx by"

My thoughts are that the sixers were sent to enforce the change to two way travel. and resources being sent to the future. (And then George Washington Taylor leads a revolt!!)

It would explain dependence on technology from the future, and a lack of AK47s, scalpels, Honda generators, colt 1911's and zippo lighters.

The early colonies depended on Europe for lots of finished goods, and not to their benefit either... But it all started out as just a way to bleed off extra people, or criminals, or religious groups.

[lailr]

We're going to sit and watch the next episode in a bit in the bar in the front room. (Amber Bock since you asked)

I like the series, and the way they are keeping a few plot points open. No need to explain everything in the first few episodes, and overall I've enjoyed" Buck Rogers in Jurassic Park".

I think what is being loosely portrayed in this series is how the East India Tea Company (or England, or Spain, or whoever...) treated the colonies of the British Empire. "A new world, and a chance to start over away from the crime and filth of Europe!! And while you're there... could you send us all your resources please? We'll send you finished goods in return. k thx by"

My thoughts are that the sixers were sent to enforce the change to two way travel. and resources being sent to the future. (And then George Washington Taylor leads a revolt!!)

It would explain dependence on technology from the future, and a lack of AK47s, scalpels, Honda generators, colt 1911's and zippo lighters.

The early colonies depended on Europe for lots of finished goods, and not to their benefit either... But it all started out as just a way to bleed off extra people, or criminals, or religious groups.

I like the East India company idea, sounds good

[dukman]

What if they DO get the two-way portal working... and then dinosaurs escape through it to the future! It could make for a whole new spin-off series

[yale]

After watching the latest episode where Taylor and Mira are being stalked by the 2 Slashers and seeing the Slashers shake off the blasts from Taylors sonic rifle I again have to question the wisdom of a military group which would set up in a world full of dinos and not have something from the 22nd century capable of killing one when necessary. Again, as we have seen in past episodes, a single/lone member of the camp is being allowed to go OTW. Sure it's Taylor this time and not some hapless guard checking outposts at night, by himself but there should be rules which are followed by all. Taylor should be leading by example. Even when I served in the Army (1988-1992) we had battle buddies that we paired off with for anything from training to guard duty. There is no way anyone, even the great and powerful Taylor, should be OTW without a battle buddy and some better firepower than a sonic rifle that just pisses off the Slashers. Then he goes out with a timeline of "I should be back in about 24 hours." WHAT!?!?!? "Here's a FRACKING RADIO. Private Snuffie is on radio/CQ duty and you need to check in with him regularly."
They have been there for, (what?), 10 years building the place. Sure they may have let their guard relax some but it's still basically a frontier. It's like building a fort in the middle of hostile indian country. You have Sixers and dinos waiting to mess with you and still you have most of the population unarmed and the small militia/guard force improperly armed and doing reckless stuff.
Now what about the group of people going out to dig ditches/trenches? There's a spy in camp that they are looking for and the girl (Sky) is able to slip off and visit Mommy in the tree without anyone doing a head count and noticing? For all they knew she was Slasher food. And please tell me that in 2149 we have the tech to still build DitchWitch trenchers to do this sort of stuff without having to involve a dozen or more camp residents with shovels.
I'm sorry, I know it's watered down for the masses and is entertainment but for me it's not entertaining. I see it as a cautionary series on how not to run a survivalist type settlement. I think the Cavelry troops at the fort on the old Rin Tin Tin TV series had a better grasp of things than Taylor and his crew.

[kbilly84]

Interesting Season finale. Kinda makes me hope there's a new season. WTF is with the badlands?

Did anyone else catch the Black/Red/White Nazi-style color motif of the Phoenix group? I wonder if that was deliberate, or just a coincidence.

[Confucius]

I really liked the finale. The last few episodes were losing me, but they really pulled it together for the finale. Hope it gets renewed for another season.

[sql_yoda]

I really liked the finale. The last few episodes were losing me, but they really pulled it together for the finale. Hope it gets renewed for another season.

I have to disagree. Is the show still worth watching for the premiere in season two; yes - but barely. Maybe it was South Park that called this show "LOST with dinosaurs" - well at the time I thought it was a ridiculous way to pigeonhole it... but now - maybe that's the only way to save the show. I'm even finding myself wondering WTF is going on because the approach of the writers -as it seems to be in every tv show that MIGHT catch on in time, but needs to be FUN TO WATCH - is to just hit "the plot" with a shotgun.

I have been a rabid fan of just about every major network TV show that only lasted one or two seasons, from "Firefly" to "The Wizard". The difference between those shows and this is that they made some sort of sense in one distinct season. "Terra Nova" doesn't. It tries to at the end. It wasn't built that way.

I don't want to admit it but Terra Nova is looking more and more like one of those shows where only a dedicated fan base is ever going to care if they don't have a next season's premiere. It's nearly the best thing on tv at the moment - but that isn't really saying much.

[Witchdoctor]

Of course there is a "Badlands" in the show. One of the idiots that killed Star Trek- Brannon Braga- is involved with Terra Nova. He always has a thing for the "Badlands". You can bet there will be intricate plots that go nowhere ( like the temporal cold war) and when the show dies, he will blame it on fan fatigue.

[smokinbunta]

i kinda like Terra Nova.. tho its definitely not great by any means it's worth watching on Monday night when theres nothing else to watch. Yea... it's kinda janky but i don't really care..