Terra Nova 104 Review- Power of Deception

Jim- "Then what's Terra Nova really about?"

Mira- "You'll see."

"The Runaway" was definitely a bounce back episode for Terra Nova. There was excitement, there was intrigue and it kept the viewers on their toes about what was really going on. It sure was a step back in the right direction for this dino crew.

It doesn't surprise me at all that an episode directed by executive producer Jon Cassar was mainly dealing with spies, moles and deception. As one of the forces behind 24, Cassar helped run a show that exposed its audience to more mole plots than any other in history.

The deception during this week's story had me predicting end results in every-which-way, making it the best single episode plot of the series so far. Also, it didn't hurt that the little runaway was A-DORE-A-BLE.

First. the runaway seemed to be afraid for her life, then all of the sudden she was dirty as all Hell sneaking away with Mira's box, and finally we find out it was all just to protect her brother. The fact that she was only doing it to save her sibling was more heartwarming, but much less interesting.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Terra Nova, head over to TV Fanatic.

Terra Nova 104 - "The Runaway"
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Terra Nova 103 Review- The Common Cold

Jim- "I never catch colds...only crooks."

If you finished the Terra Nova series premiere excited to watch a full season of epic adventures against dinosaurs and defiant rebels - while pondering the many mysteries of time travel and its effects on this society - you have probably been disappointed the past two weeks. "What Remains" built on "Instinct" in the worst ways possible.

Conversely, if were were thinking to yourself post-pilot, I wish this show was more of a mixture of a soap opera and a procedural crime drama, then you've been pleased with the two most recent outings.

In "What Remains," the acting and writing continued to resemble some of recently cancelled daytime TV oferrings, while the "challenge of the week" turned this potentially interesting serialized drama into every other show on CBS.

Having said all that, I don't deny that the show still shows signs of life. I'm mostly speaking of the final few minutes when Terra Nova's version of Red from Shawshank Remption meets with the Sixers about getting Josh's girlfriend to town on an upcoming pilgrimage.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Terra Nova, head over to TV Fanatic.

Terra Nova 103 - "What Remains"
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Terra Nova 102 Review- Pterosaurs and Pheromones

Some criticized the Terra Nova pilot for lacking in character development, saying it relied too much on its flashy special effects to excite its viewers. Others, including myself, enjoyed Shannons, the mysterious events and the overall epic nature of "Genesis."

I don't foresee as much of a divide happening in regards to "Instinct." Don't get me wrong, the sights were still very much for sore eyes, but everything else about Terra Nova's third hour was pretty disheartening.

Maybe it was hidden in the pilot by all the bright colors, but this time around the acting - especially in terms of spoken word - felt amazingly mediocre. Jim attempting to make dinner and help his kids with homework in the kitchen was tough to watch, as was Maddie attempting to ask her father about boys.

Even more troublesome was how stiff Stephen Lang was throughout the hour. I gave his robotic portrayal of Nathaniel Taylor a pass in the pilot, but it's only become worse. Maybe it's just the writing he was given here, but every time the Commander spoke, I wanted to hold my head in my hands.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Terra Nova, head over to TV Fanatic.

Terra Nova 102 - "Instinct"
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Terra Nova 101 Review- A Family Is Five

Taylor- "Together we are at the dawn of a new civilization...no pressure."

Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, and FOX's Terra Nova. What do they all have in common? Sure, they are all projects that Steven Spielberg is attached to, but more importantly to me, they are all epic in scale and in idea.

When you mentioned Terra Nova to anyone prior to the series premiere, the immediate response was "Oh that Dinosaur show?" Or "Jurassic Park for television?" While Terra Nova is not Jurassic Park, it shares that one shiny detail: dinosaurs.

In no way does the inclusion of dinosaurs make a series great - or even watchable for that matter - but it does have a way of getting the audience's attention. It got mine from the jump off, and as "Genesis: Part 1" began, I was only sucked in further and further as the episode went along.

Anything apocalyptic in nature is sure to have me on the edge of my seat. So when the series kicked off, and the world as we knew it was on the verge of destruction, my eyes opened wider. The futuristic elements are great, with all of the technological advances, but add that to the ridiculously historic atmosphere that the show turns to after the first half hour or so, and it is a recipe for success.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Terra Nova series premiere, head over to TV Fanatic.

Terra Nova 101 - "Genesis: Part 1"
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Terra Nova 101 - "Genesis: Part 2"
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