Earth: Final Conflict
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| Earth: Final Conflict | |
|---|---|
| Format | Science Fiction |
| Created by | Gene Roddenberry |
| Directed by | David Winning |
| Starring | See Cast and characters |
| Country of origin |  Canada |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 110 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | approx. 41 min. |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | CTV (1997-1999)
The New Net (1999-2002) |
| Original run | October 6, 1997 – May 20, 2002 |
| External links | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Earth: Final Conflict is a Canadian science fiction television series based on story ideas created by Gene Roddenberry, and produced under the guidance of his widow, Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. However, it was not filmed, produced or aired until after his death. It aired for 5 seasons between 6 October 1997 and 20 May 2002.
The original title for the show was Battleground: Earth, but the producers changed it because it sounded too much like L. Ron Hubbard's novel, Battlefield Earth. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry was the Executive Producer. She also appeared in some early episodes as the character Dr. Julianne Belman. Barrett is in possession of notes Roddenberry kept of story and series ideas; after his death, these notes provided the basis for this series. Another posthumous creation of Roddenberry's is Andromeda.
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[edit] Setting
Early in the 21st century, a race of aliens, the Taelons, arrive on Earth. In exchange for being allowed to take refuge on our planet, the Taelons offer the people of Earth access to their advanced technology. As a result, disease, war, and pollution are nearly eliminated. Despite all these advances, there are some people who think the Taelons are not as benevolent as they seem. A resistance movement is organized.
The show is unusual[citation needed] in that ultimately, the Taelon aliens are not purely evil (except for one character who eventually becomes the main villain in seasons 2-4), nor are they actually trying to "conquer" the world. However, they do have a hidden agenda, and have no problem violating basic individual civil liberties to reach their goals.
[edit] Series
- See also: List of Earth Final Conflict episodes
The show premiered on 6 October 1997 and ran for 5 seasons. The finale aired on 20 May 2002.
The show is infamous for its unusually high turnover rate among the regular cast, partially due to contractual disagreements between the cast and the producers. Almost all the show's major characters were killed or otherwise removed within a season or two of being introduced. In fact, the only character to appear as a series regular during all 5 seasons was FBI Agent Sandoval, the show's main antagonist.
The fifth season of the show was a radical departure from the storyline of the previous seasons, with the Taelons being replaced by a new and more openly hostile alien race, a group of energy vampires called the Atavus.
Scifi veteran David Winning directed seven episodes in season 4 and 5, including the two-part return of William Boone.
[edit] Cast and characters
- Kevin Kilner as William Boone (Season 1; Recurring Season 5)
- Robert Leeshock as Liam Kincaid (Seasons 2-4; Recurring Season 5)
- Lisa Howard as Lili Marquette (Seasons 1-3)
- Richard Chevolleau as Marcus "Augur" Deveraux (Seasons 1-4)
- Von Flores as Ronald Sandoval (Seasons 1-5)
- Leni Parker as Da'an (Seasons 1-4)
- David Hemblen as Jonathan Doors (Seasons 1-3)
- Miranda Kwok as Kwai Ling Hong (Season 1)
- Anita La Selva as Zo'or (Seasons 2-4; Recurring Season 1,5)
- Jayne Heitmeyer as Renee Palmer (Seasons 3-5)
- Guylaine St-Onge as Juda (Season 5)
- Melinda Deines as Juliet Street (Seasons 4-5)
- Alan Van Sprang as Howlyn (Season 5)
[edit] Alien species
The show features a number of alien races. The first to be introduced are the Taelons, who act as the series' main antagonists during the first four seasons. Shortly afterwards, the Skrill are introduced, a race genetically re-engineered by the Taelons to act as weapons. At the end of Season 1, the Kimera are introduced, a race that the Taelons have nearly wiped out. Season 2 sees the introduction of another species - the Jaridians, with whom the Taelons are at war. Finally, Season 5 introduces the Atavus (actually the Atavus were introduced in the second season, but were not significantly developed until later).
The show also deals with hybrids between species. Liam Kincaid is a Kimeran-Human hybrid, while Lili Marquette gives birth to a Jaridian-Human hybrid.
[edit] Synopsis
[edit] Season 1
"Three years ago they came, forever altering the future of humanity. William Boone's life has been destroyed. A man caught between two worlds. Assigned protector to the Companions; undercover agent for the Liberation. An alien implanted cyber-virus expands his mind. Controlling a bio-engineered weapon of unprecedented power. William Boone searches for the truth."
- – Season 1 introduction; the italic part comes with episode 13
The story begins three years after the Taelons arrived on Earth. The Taelons have used their advanced technology to help humanity achieve a better quality of life. However, the North American Taelon Companion, Da'an, is targeted by an assassin while making a speech. Jonathan Doors, a businessman with close ties to the Taelons, is killed while Da'an is unharmed. Da'an is impressed by Police Commander Boone's work in protecting him from the assassination attempt, and offers him a spot as a Taelon Protector, a personal body guard and envoy for a particular Taelon.
Boone politely refuses because he wants to start a family with his wife. Also, deep down, he doesn't trust the Taelons fully. Subsequently, Boone's wife is mysteriously murdered and Boone finds out that Jonathan Doors faked his own death so that he could focus on his resistance movement. Doors believes the Taelons have sinister intentions, and wants to find out their true motives. He also believes that the Taelons had something to do with the murder of Boone's wife. Because of this, Boone agrees to work as a double agent for the resistance in order to find answers. He accepts Da'an's offer to become a Protector, and receives a Cyber-Viral Implant (CVI) that gives him enhanced mental abilities — including perfect recall. The Resistance sees to it that the CVI does not change Boone's loyalties (as it does with most protectors). Agent Boone receives a bioengineered weapon, called a Skrill, that attaches to his arm. Boone is joined by a fellow double agent and ex-Marine Lili Marquette. She is an accomplished pilot of the Taelon shuttlecraft (that can travel in interdimensional space). On the Taelon side, Boone works with another protector, Agent Sandoval. Sandoval is apparently fully loyal to the Taelons.
Boone soon finds out that Sandoval had Boone's wife killed so that he would join the Taelons. Sandoval explains that his own wife held him back and that he was forced to put her in a mental institution to get her out of the way. He didn't want Boone to have the same problem, so had his wife killed. Boone pretends to understand and continues his duties for the Resistance.
A strange satellite is found in an Amish community. Lili and Boone investigate. In later episodes, the satellite ends up in the Resistance base. It has the ability to make replicants and later kills a Resistance scientist. The probe later winds up in the hands of the Taelons.
Boone introduces Lili to Augur, a technical genius and computer hacker who Boone often hires when he needs technical skills. Later Lili and Boone become acquainted with Jonathan Doors's state of the art base for the Resistance. They learn that Augur was actually a member of the resistance all along.
Boone continues to search for the true motives of the Taelons and becomes good friends with Da'an. A less sympathetic Taelon named Zo'or is introduced. Boone finds out that a Taelon named Ma'el visited Earth centuries before and predicted that humanity would one day be equal to the Taelons. Sandoval meets an Irish Protector, Siobhan Beckett, who seems to fancy him.
Sandoval's CVI malfunctions and frees him of Taelon control. He saves his wife from the mental institution but comes close to death. The Resistance captures the couple and Boone convinces Doors to turn Sandoval back to the Taelons. Sandoval's wife is given safe passage. Sandoval receives a new CVI and is made to believe that Boone killed his wife.
The fiancé of the resistance scientist killed by the previously mentioned probe becomes determined to find a way to get his love back. The Resistance breaks into a Taelon installation in which the probe is located. The scientist gets his fiancée back at the cost of his own life. The probe is supposedly destroyed.
An enemy of the Taelons named Ha'gel lands on Earth. The Taelons have apparently wronged his race (the Kimera) somehow. Ha'gel has the power to temporarily assume other forms, leaving his victims temporarily incapacitated. Ha'gel steals Sandoval's form and impregnates Siobhan Beckett. Boone tries to confront the alien but Ha'gel is frightened. Boone is badly wounded and Ha'gel is killed. Boone is in critical condition, as Beckett goes into labour while in the custody of the Resistance. Zo'or seemingly vaporizes Boone's body.
[edit] Season 2
"They are the Companions. Aliens come to Earth on a mission of peace. Their true mission, the secrets they hide, forever alter humanity. Caught in the struggle between these Taelon Companions and the Human Resistance is Liam Kincaid. A man who is more than human. The mysteries of his past hold the key to Earth's future and the fate of mankind. On Earth Final Conflict."
- – Season 2 introduction
Beckett gives birth as the Resistance is saddened by the news that Boone has died. The protector's baby is a Kimera/human hybrid and grows at a rapid rate. He takes the name Liam Kincaid and immediately takes action as an adult. Beckett's memory is wiped and she is sent back to the Taelons. The recovered fiancée is really a replicant of the mysterious probe, which is from another alien race known as the Jaridians. The probe replicant kills the leader of the Taelon Synod. Liam saves Da'an and is recruited to become his new protector. Liam joins the Resistance but doesn't get along with Doors. Lili is forced to work under Sandoval but continues her double agent duties. Zo'or becomes the new Taelon leader, with Sandoval becoming his protector.
Da'an realizes who Liam is, and the two become good friends. Da'an and Zo'or battle over each other's ideologies. Zo'or believes humanity should serve the Taelons, while Da'an thinks humanity should be their equal. The Taelons prepare Earth for war with the Jaridians who believe humans have sided with the Taelons.
The Resistance finds out that the CVI's motivational imperative wears off after awhile, leaving the protectors restored to their own wills. Liam senses that his mother, Protector Siobhan Beckett's, CVI has malfunctioned and attempts to locate her. Beckett has to deal internally with all the wrongs she has committed. Also concerned, Zo'or sends Sandoval to locate Beckett, but Liam locates her first. He joins his dying mother and shares with her energetically/ telepathically revealing his true origin. She realizes who he is as she passes away.
Doors decides to take the Resistance above ground and runs for President. The resistance members are pardoned in a deal Doors is able to make. Former resistance members come to Lili and Augur concerned over humanity's protection. The Resistance is reformed under Liam's leadership. Da'an doesn't betray Liam, yet thinks reforming the Resistance is a bad idea.
Zo'or sets the Resistance and Doors up when he has an assassination attempt made on President Thompson. Thompson survives and declares martial law. The Resistance members are targeted and many are brought to the mother ship. Liam and Augur try to rescue Doors but are pinned down. Lili tries to destroy the mother ship in a last ditch effort to save Earth.
[edit] Season 3
"They have come to Earth with the promise of peace. An alien race called the Taelons. But, there are those who resist these Alien Companions. For the Taelons' true mission, the secrets they hide will forever alter our world. The fate of humanity now relies on those who dare challenge the future of Earth."
- – Season 3 introduction
Lili's plan backfires and she winds up dead, finally exposed as a traitor to the Taelons. Liam and Augur are rescued by a Volunteer. Doors is, however, captured. Doors is able to cut a deal with Zo'or to give himself freedom while ensuring that his company can secretly resist the Taelons. The volunteer is really one of his people, Renee Palmer, and the new CEO of Doors International. Martial Law is repealed and many of the resistance members are returned. Lili turns out to be alive, and has been held captive by Sandoval. He changes her DNA and sends her off into deep space. Liam and Augur continue to lead the resistance.
Doors would work separately from the Resistance, but Renee would work with Liam on occasion. Over time they would become close partners. Da'an and Liam's relationship becomes strained. Zo'or continues his ambitious plans while Sandoval seems to have his own agenda. Lili is tricked into giving the Jaridians ID travel and realizes she is on Jaridia. Jonathan Doors dies saving his son. Lili returns to Earth pregnant with a Jaridian-Human hybrid (Vorjack is the father). Liam and Renee help her through a difficult delivery.
[edit] Season 4
"They have come to Earth with the promise of peace. An alien race called the Taelons. But, there are those who resist these Alien Companions. For the Taelons' true mission, the secrets they hide will forever alter our world. The fate of humanity now relies on those who dare challenge the future of Earth."
- – Season 4 introduction
Da'an helps to make sure that the baby lives. The Jaridians are dying, and Vorjack had hoped that the hybrid child would hold the key to their salvation, but this does not happen as expected. Lili and Vorjack escape with their child with Liam's blessing.
Augur runs into trouble with the law and is forced into hiding. He offers his friend Juliet Street the opportunity to take over his role in the Resistance, and she accepts. She proves savvy and intelligent.
The Resistance goes above ground once again when Renee and Liam team up with an international group dedicated to defending human interests against the Taelons.
Toward the end of the season, it is discovered that the Taelons are a dying race as well; their core energy is almost spent. More and more Taelons are entering stasis, and Zo'or becomes increasingly desperate to save his species.
Finally, Liam and Renee discover a regeneration chamber hidden deep in a volcano, set in place long ago by Ma'el. Liam realizes that all species are interconnected and he must play a role in saving the Taelons. He brings them out of stasis. To conserve energy, they combine their essence in just six Taelons who go down to the regeneration chamber, just as the Jaridian fleet led by Vorjack arrives on the scene. Zo'or, greedy to ensure his own survival, touches an energy pool in the chamber and is absorbed into it. Liam convinces the Jaridians to attempt a "joining" with the Taelons, which, it is believed, will return them to an earlier evolutionary form that is better suited to survival. As the volcano erupts, the joining procedure begins with Liam's help, but it is unclear who will survive.
[edit] Season 5
"In the 21st century an alien species, known as the Taelons, came to Earth with the promise of peace... They lied. Their true agenda was to dominate us. After years of struggle the Taelons had perished, leaving more aggressive beings in their wake: the Atavus. My name is Renee Palmer; my mission is to stop this new species from dominating our planet. This is Earth's Final Conflict"
- – Season 5 introduction
Liam, the Taelons, and the Jaridians have disappeared in the volcano. With the Taelons and Jaridians gone, Renee and Street must prevent a new threat, the Atavus (who have been buried in stasis for the past several million years) from awakening all over the world and feeding on humans. Things become more difficult for them when the government turns its back on Renee and doesn't believe what she says about the Atavus. Between tracking down and destroying Atavus chambers, fighting off the Atavus who have already awoken, and trying to convince the world the Atavus exist, Renee is kept quite busy this season.
Sandoval makes a deal to join sides with the Atavus leader Howlyn. Together, they are able to keep their presence hidden for much of the season. Their plan is to create an army of Atavus-Human hybrids by means of a joining process.
The last season sees brief returns of the Season 1 hero, William Boone, as well as the return of Zo'or with a whole new makeover.
Renee's final conflict comes in the series finale when she rejoins with Liam and races against Sandoval and Atavus to find the Atavus mothership filled with elite Atavus soldiers trapped in stasis.
[edit] Broadcasting
The series made its premiere on CTV in 1997 and ran for two seasons until the network decided to cancel it due to low ratings. The show was however resurrected by Chum Limited and was moved to their New Net network for the remainder of its run. The series was aired in syndication in the United States.
[edit] DVD releases
None of the DVD releases contain subtitles.
[edit] Region 1
Only seasons 3, 4 and 5 have been released on DVD in Region 1. The third season was released on August 5, 2003, the fourth season on September 16, 2003 and the fifth season on October 28, 2003. The distributor of these DVDs, ADV Films, currently only has the DVD rights for these seasons. On February 4, 2008, TVShowsOnDVD.com reported that a "reliable retail source" had informed them that Universal is looking into releasing Seasons 1 and 2 on July 15, 2008.[1] They released a follow-up report on May 23, indicating there is "no word on when, or if" seasons 1 and 2 would be released.[2]
[edit] Region 2
Only the first season has been released on DVD in Region 2 so far, on 3 April 2006. This follows on from several aborted video releases; the first video release consisted of the first few episodes of Season 1 before being aborted, while the second set of videos consisted of the first 12 episodes of Season 1.
[edit] Release dates
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DVD Name
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Release dates
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Region 1
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Region 2
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Region 4
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| The Complete 1st Season | Unknown[2] | April 3, 2006 | December 6, 2006 |
| The Complete 2nd Season | Unknown[2] | N/A | N/A |
| The Complete 3rd Season | August 5, 2003 | N/A | N/A |
| The Complete 4th Season | September 16, 2003 | N/A | N/A |
| The Complete 5th Season | October 28, 2003 | N/A | N/A |
