Terra Nova

In the year 2149, due to pollution and overpopulation, the earth is nearing extinction.  Scientists discover a rift leading to an alternative timeline during the late Cretaceous era.  Believing this will be their salvation; humans travel through the time rift and create a colony, Terra Nova, as their new beginning.

During the 10^th pilgrimage to the new world, we join the Shannon family; Jim and Elisabeth and their three children. After their arrival to Terra Nova, they find themselves adjusting to new surrounding filled with dangerous dinosaurs, a rebel group and secrets. Will each day bring closer to utopia or their second death sentence?   

The balance of drama and action during the premiere had me waiting impatiently for the week. For a moment, I thought it was a movie and not a TV series. The acting and set designs were great. The characters aren’t unique, but fit the world well with their personalities and the actions they take. The fast pace held me down to my seat (Well, actually, my bed.) If they stuck to the same level for the rest of the series, the fangirl in me would scream for another season.

After the first couple of episodes, the fast pace slowed down. I find myself wanting more of the immediate action and not the subplot unrelated to it even if it did setup the next episode. As the action starts to peak my radar of danger, we are moved away to somewhere else. My mind wanders during this time. I find myself believing I watched 6 episodes already, when it fact I only watched 4 of them. And I haven’t watched this week’s ep yet.

My last concern is the limited number of episodes. The first season will only have 13. They have less time to convey the world to the audience. How much will they reveal? Will they become another Lost telling us very little and a lot less at the end of the series? I cannot help asking myself these questions.

I will watch the rest of the season but later in the week from my DVR. I’m hoping my dislike will fade to the background as Fox airs the rest of season. Every show has a bump and they have until the end to overcome it.

If you’re interested in more information, visit the OfficialSite for Terra Nova.  

Speculative TV Week: Day One - Vampire Diaries

Welcome to Day One of the Speculative TV Week.  I was so excited when we first started to discuss this topic especially when I called dibs on “Vampire Diaries”.  I have been watching the show for the past two seasons (and yes I know it is a teen paranormal drama, and no I am no longer a teen), but the book series by L.J. Smith was what first drew me to vampires and paranormal beings back in 1991 when I decided that I was tired of Sweet Valley High and craved something darker.  Here is the brief series blurb:

“The series follows the life of Elena Gilbert a 17-year-old girl, who falls for a dark 156-year-old vampire named Stefan Salvatore. Their relationship becomes increasingly complicated as Stefan's vicious and malevolent elder brother Damon returns with a plan to wreak havoc on the town and also to plan a revenge against his younger brother. Both brothers begin to show affection towards Elena, mainly because of her resemblance to their past love Katherine Pierce. It is revealed that Elena is a descendant of Katherine, who eventually returns with plans against the trio."

"The series is set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, a town charged with supernatural history since its settlement of migrants from New England in the late 17th century. Other story lines revolve around the other inhabitants of the town, most notably Elena's younger brother Jeremy Gilbert, Elena's best friend Bonnie Bennett , Elena's close friend, Caroline Forbes, Elena's childhood friend, Tyler Lockwood and Elena's childhood friend and ex-boyfriend, Matt Donovan. The town's politics are orchestrated by descendants of the original founding families, all comprising a "Founders' Council". Some of the founding families of Mystic Falls include the Salvatores, the Gilberts, the Fells, the Forbes and the Lockwoods. They guard the town mainly from vampires although they seem to be oblivious on other supernatural threats like from Werewolves, Witches and also Ghosts.”

The Season 2 finale set up Stefan to become the bad guy as he was forced to gorge himself with human blood as a trade for an antidote to save Damon from death after he was bitten by a werewolf.  The blood triggered the predator that Stefan had worked so hard to overcome and returned him to his vicious and evil side.

Six episodes into Season 3, Stefan is still a monster, but Elena refuses to give up on him even after an ancient vampire Klaus removed his humanity.  With Stefan the bad guy, his big brother steps in to protect Elena and their relationship sizzles.  I especially love the role reversal between the two brothers and even though Elena is fighting for her love for Stefan, it’s love blooming with Damon.  I’m not psychic but I can sense some serious drama once Stefan’s humanity is returned. Perhaps the Season 3 finale? :)

I am loving the television series and can’t wait for each new episode.  The reader/writer in me is curious about how closely the t.v. series is based on the original books.  It’s been twenty years since I read L.J Smith‘s books, but I picked them up the other week (an early birthday present to myself) and am anxiously awaiting cracking them open.  The initial series featured “The Awakening”, “The Struggle”, The “Fury” and the “Dark Reunion”.  Three years ago, Smith returned to the series, writing three more, “The Return: Nightfall, The Return: Shadow Souls, and The Return: Midnight.”  I’m interested to see the similarities and differences between the book series and the television series.

Thanks for reading!  And don't forget to check out Melanie's blog on "Once Upon a Time".

RJ  :)