Earth: Final Conflict - 1st time watch thread

[Isadorabelle]

I know the feeling. It's hard to find the time sometimes.

Overall, what do you think of the show thus far? I'm guessing you must like it to some extent if you're willing to watch the whole thing.

 

[The Habs Fan]

I know the feeling. It's hard to find the time sometimes.

Overall, what do you think of the show thus far? I'm guessing you must like it to some extent if you're willing to watch the whole thing.

I do like the series, but each season has felt different than the one previous. So far, season 1 is my favourite, though I obviously haven't finished season 4 yet.

 

[Morpheus 02]

I know the feeling. It's hard to find the time sometimes.

Overall, what do you think of the show thus far? I'm guessing you must like it to some extent if you're willing to watch the whole thing.

I do like the series, but each season has felt different than the one previous. So far, season 1 is my favourite, though I obviously haven't finished season 4 yet.

How do you feel about Season 4 so far? How does it rate with 2 and 3? And how many more episodes to go with season 4?

 

[The Wormhole]

^^With Dark Matter being the latest reviewed episode, that mean there are nine episodes left of the fourth season.

 

[The Habs Fan]

How do you feel about Season 4 so far? How does it rate with 2 and 3?

I like season 4 quite a bit so far. It's surprising actually after the uneven season 3. I'd say season 4 is just as good if not slightly better than the 2nd half of season 2. Season 1 is still my favourite.


Keys To The Kingdom

Zo'or threatens to attack the earth after an artefact containing the secret to synthesise Taelon core energy is stolen from the mothership.

I was very surprised to see the character of Augur again in this episode, though the guest star credits gave the surprise away. I was also surprised to see Vera Rizzoli again, who appeared in an episode in season 3, but the reason I was surprised as I didn't think her character warranted another episode. But maybe I should be happy that it wasn't another random person that knows Liam and/or Renee from some previous event that didn't occur in a previous episode. Yes, at least the relationship between Liam/Renee and Vera was shown in a previous episode.

Anyway, this episode is not about that, it's about Ma'el's document. Yes, one of the storylines introduced in season 3's season finale is finally continued in this episode, number 14 of the 4th season. I'm glad the writers didn't conveniently forget about this episode as I'm interested to see what information can be learned from Ma'el's document. I'm a bit annoyed at the coincidence that the next tidbit of information to be accessed has to do with creating core energy, the Taelons' big problem this season, but I'll live with it.

It was great seeing Augur again even though most of his scenes were with Street. I thought it was pretty brave of the writers to put them together for most of the episode and I think it worked well.

I also liked that Zo'or finally punished Sandoval for his "failure" in finding the artifact quickly. It's about time Zo'or noticed something fishy going on with Sandoval.

One question I have is about the ending. Is Street continuing to decode Ma'el's message? Is that what was on the disc?

RATING: 4/5

 

[The Wormhole]

One question I have is about the ending. Is Street continuing to decode Ma'el's message? Is that what was on the disc?

My memory is a bit faulty, but I think so. At the very least, Street does work on the Ma'el thing later on in the season.

 

[The Habs Fan]

One question I have is about the ending. Is Street continuing to decode Ma'el's message? Is that what was on the disc?

My memory is a bit faulty, but I think so. At the very least, Street does work on the Ma'el thing later on in the season.

Well it turns out this question is answered in the next episode...


Street Chase

J Street learns a lesson in trust while on the run from Sandoval.

This is a very good episode that also has the distinction of being the first that is focused on the character of Street.

It actually continues shortly after the ending of the previous episode with Street continuing to decode Ma'el's message and Sandoval continuing to see what Street sees. The impression that I got after last episode was that Sandoval was working on his own, though in this episode it's revealed that Zo'or is behind the whole thing. Anyway, I'm impressed that the writers have continued a plot from the previous episode in the middle of a season. I don't think that's happened since Season 1.

Street discovers the nanobots inside of her and decides to go on the run, dealing with some trust issues along the way. I have to admit that I didn't realize most of the episode was a simulation until Liam got killed, and credit to the writers again as they ended the simulation right after that. Not even Tate's death seemed out of the ordinary to me, though I remember wondering why he died from what looked like a non-fatal shot to his shoulder.

After the simulation of the "worst-case scenario" ends, Street goes on the run for real while Sandoval and a very alive Tate give chase. This time she trusts Renee and Liam and manages to get away safely, faking her own death in the process. Yes, it goes a bit overboard with the whole "trust" plot but I still found this episode entertaining and surprising overall.

RATING: 4/5

 

[The Habs Fan]

Trapped By Time

Liam and Renee go on a covert-ops mission to infiltrate a top-secret facility, holding three astronauts from the future in stasis, who left Earth after the Taelons left, believing that they may hold the key to Earth's future. Meanwhile, Sandoval is forced to steal Taelon stasis protocols in exchange for his wife who is being held hostage.

I knew this episode would be good when the "previously on..." segment showed scenes from one of the best episodes of the series, Sandoval's Run.

Dee Dee, Sandoval's wife, has returned. She's being held hostage by a guy who wants the protocols for Taelon stasis in order to wake up human astronauts from the future. More on that in a second.

It's awesome that we got a return to the Sandoval/Dee Dee storyline from Season 1. In my opinion that is one of the best storylines of the entire series and it has served as the motivating force behind Sandoval's actions for the entire series up to this point. The moment where Dee Dee betrays Sandoval near the end is so heartbreaking and yet so true. You can kind of understand what made Dee Dee turn out this way, especially when taking into account how Sandoval kept her drugged up and hidden. But because we know the whole reason behind Sandoval's actions, how it was the only choice he had or else she'd be killed, really makes us feel for him during this scene. Also, the fact that he thought she was dead this whole time and now she has returned only to betray him is very sad. It is an excellent acting job by Von Flores who plays the best and most challenging character in the series. If her death, that he blamed on the Taelons, was the motivation for his actions up to this point, where does his character go from here? I'm very interested to find out.

But that's the subplot to the episode. The main plot deals with these astronauts from the future that the government has kept secret since they were found in 1978. I liked how the writers brought back Heather North from the episode Motherlode as she worked good here. Of course, one of the astronauts manages to remain alive long enough to share a little tidbit about the future: the Taelons will get what they deserve from the "others". I hope this isn't a throwaway line and will actually foreshadow a future plot on the series.

This episode is my favourite of Season 4, so far.

RATING: 5/5

 

[The Wormhole]

Trapped by Time is an awesome episode. I remember the first time I saw it, when Sandoval realizes he's been betrayed it actually came as a twist to me when he then rolled up his sleeve and his skrill crawled down. Really cool moment.

As for the astronaut's predictions, all I'll say is that some of it does come true. By the end of the series you'll realize why humanity had to revert to their own technology for space travel and why the astronaut said "skrills are illegal."

Also, you have to really pay attention, but this episode kind of reveale when the series takes place. Heather North's uncle (or whatever he is) says he worked for NASA until the arrival of the Taelons forced NASA to shut down "in 05." Taken literally this would mean season 1 is set in 2008, three years after the Taelons arrived, according to the opening monologue. However, season 2 is in an election year, so that will have to be 2008. This is easily solved, the Taelons arrived in 2004 and for various administrative and beuracratic reasons NASA didn't officially shut down until 2005.

So, if we then assume the Taelons arrived in 2004, season 1 would have to be 2007. This would allow season 2 to be an election year and would mean the series itself lasts from 2007 to 2011. Or possibly 2012, since a late season 5 episode is set on New Year's.

 

[The Habs Fan]

Atonement

In exchange for immunity, Sandoval agrees to testify against the Taelons.

Did I say that Trapped By Time is my favourite episode of Season 4? It turns out I was wrong. Atonement is my favourite episode of Season 4 and in my opinion is one of the best episodes of the entire series.

This is exactly the episode that needed to be done following the events of the previous episode. In my review for Trapped By Time, I asked the question of Sandoval's motivations and where the character could go from here. Much to my surprise, this episode actually dealt with exactly that question.

Sandoval, still reeling from his wife turning up alive and her betrayal, has offered to testify against atrocities committed by the Taelons in exchange for immunity. Of course, some in the ANA, like Hubble Urick, are not exactly thrilled at the prospect of granting immunity to Sandoval but grudgingly they accept. It's up to Renee and Liam to safely transport Sandoval to Montreal for the trial. Along the way a few assassination attempts by both the Taelons and the ANA are foiled, until Tate shows up and kills Sandoval. Except it's all a ruse by Sandoval who orchestrated his own assassination by Tate in order to arrive safely to his trial. The scene where Liam and Renee are surprised by Tate and Sandoval playing chess is great.

Anyway, Sandoval kind of screws himself over by putting more demands on his testimony. The ANA decides not to meet those demands and instead puts Sandoval on trial, attempting to make him the scapegoat. Here the episode gets even better as different people are called to the stand as witnesses to the atrocities committed by Sandoval. Included among these is Dee Dee and the bearded guy from that episode where Lili was imprisoned by Sandoval before he sent her to the Jaridians (I can't remember that episode's name but it was early in Season 3). Anyway, it was nice seeing that guy again even if it was only for about 30 seconds.

Sandoval is looking pretty bad here obviously but he has my full support. He has to somehow be the most sympathetic character on the series despite some of the bad things he does. Of course, Sandoval tries to save himself by saying he was only following orders but then Zo'or, who was watching the whole time interrupts the trial and demands that Sandoval be returned to the mothership or else he will open fire on Earth.

You really have to feel for Sandoval here as everything he has worked for has come unravelled very quickly. He is about to be found guilty by the court and he has also burned all of his bridges with the Taelons. He has laid all of his cards on the table and lost.

Sandoval, now aboard the mothership, expects to be killed by Zo'or and offers no resistance. However, to the surprise of Sandoval, and to me, Zo'or restores Sandoval's position. Zo'or then says something that is 100% true: the only friend Sandoval has right now is Zo'or. The perfect ending to an excellent episode and story arc.

RATING: 5/5

 

[The Wormhole]

Both Trapped by Time and Attonement are as good as this show gets. In fact, I doubt the series ever tops these episodes afterward.

 

[The Habs Fan]

Trapped by Time is an awesome episode. I remember the first time I saw it, when Sandoval realizes he's been betrayed it actually came as a twist to me when he then rolled up his sleeve and his skrill crawled down. Really cool moment.

As for the astronaut's predictions, all I'll say is that some of it does come true. By the end of the series you'll realize why humanity had to revert to their own technology for space travel and why the astronaut said "skrills are illegal."

Also, you have to really pay attention, but this episode kind of reveale when the series takes place. Heather North's uncle (or whatever he is) says he worked for NASA until the arrival of the Taelons forced NASA to shut down "in 05." Taken literally this would mean season 1 is set in 2008, three years after the Taelons arrived, according to the opening monologue. However, season 2 is in an election year, so that will have to be 2008. This is easily solved, the Taelons arrived in 2004 and for various administrative and beuracratic reasons NASA didn't officially shut down until 2005.

So, if we then assume the Taelons arrived in 2004, season 1 would have to be 2007. This would allow season 2 to be an election year and would mean the series itself lasts from 2007 to 2011. Or possibly 2012, since a late season 5 episode is set on New Year's.

Thanks for this. I have wondered when this show takes place and your reasoning makes sense.

Both Trapped by Time and Attonement are as good as this show gets. In fact, I doubt the series ever tops these episodes afterward.

I guess I should have enjoyed them while it lasted...

 

[The Wormhole]

Don't get me wrong, the remaining episodes of season 4 are pretty damn good. It's just these past two are so good by comparison.

 

[The Habs Fan]

Blood Ties

Liam and Renee suspect Zo'or of orchestrating a series of murders.

In this episode we have another recurring character from a previous episode appear: Alaister, a Scottish scientist. What? He never appeared on the show before this episode? But Liam mentions that he barely left Alaister's side for half of the first year of his life. Yet we somehow never saw or heard of him before. Yeah...

This episode has Sandoval and Tate supervising a woman who is able to steal Taelon core energy from people. This woman also happens to be a former prisoner and amoralist who was imprisoned in the same sensory deprivation prison as Augur earlier in the season. At least they managed to bring back the warden from Motherlode instead of inventing a new character with "history".

Even when it appears that something interesting will happen, like Tate being killed, he gets saved at the last minute (he's been very lucky lately). At least it kind of tied in with the episode where Da'an joined with the Jaridian, but that's not enough to redeem the episode.

Oh and how could I forget? Alaister was close to death but he is saved at the last minute. I'm relieved since he was one of my favourite characters in season 2. Oh wait...

RATING: 2/5

 

[The Wormhole]

It's kind of funny, I somehow missed Blood Ties when it first aired and every time it's been on in re-runs in the past ten years. I wasn't even aware of it until I sat down and watched the DVDs. On the one hand, it was kind of cool to get to see a brand new episode. On the other, it wasn't really that good. It was nice to see Motherlode get some follow up, and Tate actually get to do something. Da'an's subplot also seemed kind of interesting even though I knew how it would have to turn out, but over all, yeah I clearly didn't miss anything never seeing this on TV.

 

[The Habs Fan]

Hearts & Minds

Renee is torn between love and duty when her boyfriend is captured by the Taelons.

Speaking of characters making their first appearance in the show who act like recurring characters, now Renee has a boyfriend.

This episode would have actually been pretty good if we had seen this character before and if he had showed up in a few episodes. Instead he makes his debut in this episode and dies. Unfortunately, we feel none of the emotion Renee experiences in this show since her boyfriend is a stranger to us. Plus, nothing important in terms of storyline happens either.

RATING: 2/5

 

[The Wormhole]

Isn't this the episode where Zo'or gets pissed and banishes all humans off the Mothership, and yet later on when Liam and Renee sneak on board they are pursued by human Volunteers?

And in addition to being Renee's boyfriend, this guy is good buddies with Liam and is something of a Person of Siginificance within the ANA. I wonder just when do Liam and Renee find the time to meet these people?

 

[Morpheus 02]

As i recall, season 4 felt like it was really approaching the feel of Season 1 in terms of storyline & direction. By the season's end, i was really looking forward to season 5...

 

[jbny67]

i was really looking forward to season 5...

I'm sorry to hear this.

 

[The Wormhole]

Season 4 is quite possibly the best of the series. Even when I watched the series on DVD a couple of years ago, season 4 ended up being the one I burned through the quickest, and I briefly considered buying season 5 on DVD.

I didn't buy season 5 though. That would have been stupid.