Not sure this series warrants a weekly thread anymore and, really, it's doubtful the series will survive beyond one season. Anyway, after a two-week hiatus due to the World Series Terra Nova returns Monday night.
Really intriguing premise... that human kind has screwed up the world that it becomes unhealthy for human habitation and that escaping to the past on a "parallel Earth" is the best way to survive. But yeah, I don't know what the writers and producers were thinking. The show is just not working. The stories are pedestrian and tired. There are so many echoes of Jurassic Park sub plots and scenarios. What a disaster, especially considering the enormous budget. Who's accountable here?
I thought maybe this was a discussion in context of whether it's good or bad for a new Star Trek series on TV? Good: it wasn't an insta-flop, leaving open the possibility that a pricey SFX-heavy sci fi series might still be viable on broadcast. Bad: if a Star Trek show has to be as hokey and vanilla-bland as Terra Nova to survive, it's not worth bothering with. My quatloos are on gutless network suits, as per usual.
I actually really like the show, I like that each episode can serve as a stand-alone story but there is an over-arching plot which is intriguing too. There are also a lot of interesting characters to explore. I've been quite surprised by the negative reactions to this show. I hope it lasts ;-)
Steven Spielberg 'Nuff said. Seiously though, the problems with Terra Nova have to do with the vanilla writing of the family. And really, that's a signature Spielberg problem. Not Braga.
Funny how Spielberg and Braga are both on board. You'd figure that with all of their accumulated experience and wisdom, this should would be an indisputable hit. But... it clearly isn't. It does have a lot of good elements and potential. But yeah, I like how you put it--"vanilla writing". It's all been done. I tried watching it again the other night. Barely made it through. It was the "traitor" episode. Interesting premise, but not well written and implemented, IMHO. I can't see this series making it to Season 2.
Remember the show is on a broadcast network. They are going for a vanilla show accessible to the most viewers possible. If you want cutting edge look to cable. As Temis has said many times, the show needs to be targeted to the station it's on. I think Terra Nova has achieved that.