DVD review: “Earth 2” (1994 – 1995)

“Earth 2” (1994 – 1995)

Television

Twenty One Episodes

Created by: Billy Ray, Michael Duggan, Carol Flint and Mark Levin

Featuring: Debrah Farentino, Joey Zimmerman, Clancy Brown, J. Madison Wright, Sullivan Walker, Jessica Steen, Rebecca Gayheart, John Gegenhuber and Antonio Sabàto, Jr.

Alonzo Solace: “It seems like Terrians, but it’s not.”

Morgan Martin: “What’s that supposed to mean? You seem coherent, but you’re not.”

Released recently on DVD is the short lived science fiction series “Earth 2” (1994 – 1995) which was set in the future and was slightly ahead of its time in predicting what has become known as global warming with much of the human race living off planet with a small team looking for an alternative in another planet, hence the title “Earth 2”.

The show was created by Michael Duggan, Carol Flint, and Mark Levin and produced by Amblin Television and Universal Television. The series followed a group of colonists who were sent to a distant planet to establish a new civilization after Earth had become uninhabitable due to environmental destruction.

One of the strengths of “Earth 2” was its world-building. The show’s creators crafted a unique and imaginative universe that was both visually stunning and thematically rich. The planet that the colonists were sent to was full of strange and dangerous creatures, mysterious ruins, and unexplained phenomena, providing plenty of opportunities for adventure and exploration.

The cast of “Earth 2” was also strong, featuring a mix of experienced actors and fresh faces. Debrah Farentino played the lead role of Devon Adair, the leader of the colonists, and gave a compelling performance as a woman driven by a desire to create a better future for her son and for humanity as a whole. The supporting cast, including Clancy Brown, Sullivan Walker, and Rebecca Gayheart, also delivered strong performances.

Despite its strengths, Earth 2 struggled to find an audience and was cancelled after one season. Some critics and viewers felt that the show’s pacing was too slow, and that it failed to deliver on the promise of its premise. Others praised the show’s ambitious storytelling and innovative visuals.

“Earth 2” was an imaginative and well-crafted science fiction series that was unfortunately cut short before it could fully realize its potential. While it may not have been for everyone, fans of the genre may still find it worth checking out for its world-building and strong performances.

Episodes

First Contact: Devon Adair and her crew are searching a new home for the human race. The colonization of “Earth 2” is difficult. Some government forces want to destroy the ship of the colonists. But they manage to escape and arrive in orbit around “Earth 2”. There the crew has to face some technical problems and they crash land on the planet. Soon they find out that the Earth like planet is inhabited by intelligent humanoid life forms…

The Man Who Fell to Earth (Two): With narration by Danziger, the colonists discover more from the indigenous humanoid aliens, and find a human, Gaal, who claims creatures beat him near death. He also claims to be an astronaut that landed on planet G889, but several are uncertain of his truthfulness and suspicious of him. But the colonists believe they cannot leave a human behind, so they invite him to join them on the journey to New Pacifica. He teaches them that the Koba’s poison doesn’t kill them, but leaves them in a coma like state for several days. They race back to recover the Commander, whom …

Life Lessons: With narration by True, Gaal tries to gain her confidence in order to obtain a vehicle. Meanwhile Yale searches for the meaning of Gaal’s E2 tattoo. Finally Danziger must find his daughter and confront Gaal.

Promises, Promises: With narration by Alonzo, Uly’s health severely deteriorates as the Terrians suffer under Gaal’s use of shock collars on them. After a scouting trip, Denziger leads a party to confront Gaal again and help to heal Uly.

A Memory Play: With narration by Adair, the colonists find other crew members dead or gravely ill. As Dr. Heller searches for the cause and cure for the illness, Adair considers whether the ship was sabotaged.

Natural Born Grendlers: With narration by Yale, some problems intensify. Morgan seeks to escape reality, Alonzo suffers from severe depression, and the colonists need to supplement their food supply. Bess now tries to barter with a Grendler.

Water: With narration by Bess, the colonists face a dwindling water supply. Having a scan showing water 12Km away, Adair and Danzinger take 6 empty drums and ride the dune-rail, but encounter Terrians.

The Church of Morgan: With narration by Julia, the feeling of loneliness is adversely affecting the marriage status of Morgan and Bess. Meanwhile, at the urging of Reilly, Dr. Heller addresses the growing symbiosis between Uly and the Terrians.

The Enemy Within: Julia hopes the secret injection of Uly’s DNA will make her the link to the Terrians. When her V.R. visit with Reilly is disclosed by True, Julia’s conflict of Project-physician/Council-patriot is considered by the group.

Redemption: With narration by Devon, Alonzo seeks and returns Julia to the camp. Yale is then the first to be shot by a deadly assailant, identified later by Reilly as a Z.E.D. The group must now find him and stop the threat.

Moon Cross: With narration by Alonzo, the approaching winter prompts Uly to reveal the location of Mary’s garden, a vacated dome. Alonzo later meets Mary, a woman whose strange past is revealed when the moons cross in the sky.

Better Living Through Morganite: Part 1: With narration by Morgan, the group finds a new remarkable substance, which he names Morganite. As Yale increasingly appears to become a danger to others, Morgan sets the geolock, which petrifies a 1Km zone.

Better Living Through Morganite: Part 2: With narration by Morgan, Mary appears with the Terrians who want retribution against Bess, Morgan and Yale. As the group struggles to break the lock code and restore the affected area, the sun stones reveal the truth of Yale’s past.

Grendlers in the Myst: With narration by Danziger, the scouts chase a Grendler to locate its stash. The group also receives mysterious transmissions by a Dell to a Whalen and a primitive hut is found. Finally, True learns the truth about her mother.

The Greatest Love Story Never Told: Having gotten lost and dragged into a cave, Danziger lies ill in a bed. As stipulated through a dream, Devon seeks to search for him alone and meets Sheppard, who surprisingly knows her very well.

Brave New Pacifica: After the group plans to scout ahead toward New Pacifica, a Grendler ransacks Julia’s medical supplies and later kidnaps her. Devon, Danziger and Alonzo search to find where she is and why the Grendler can obtain seawater.

The Boy Who Would Be Terrian King: As Uly celebrates his ninth birthday, his adult self from the future contacts Devon to persuade her to help him evade the authorities determined to wipe his Terrian-traits from his DNA. Meanwhile, Yale and True nurse a sick koba to health.

After the Thaw: (Day 109) While foraging for food during the harsh winter, Julia finds a Terrian body frozen in the ice. The hope of learning more about the native inhabitants turns to fear as strange things start to happen around the camp.

Survival of the Fittest: With narration by Danziger, a scout team, in search for much needed supplies, finds that Cargo Pod 09 has been completely looted. Now in need of rescue after crashing the Rail, Danziger and Alonzo pursue a Grendler for its stash.

Flower Child: Scouting in all directions, Danziger, Bess and Morgan come upon colorful flower buds which burst open throwing a golden powder in their faces. The flower pollen carries a sickness that causes them to emit a golden vapor.

All About Eve: Facing an unknown illness where they progressively deteriorate, the colonists find the remains of a Venus class Council research ship containing several cold sleep crypts. The 2 survivors are distressed they are not back on Earth.