# Terra Nova 10/3 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 4, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519 "2011-10-04T02:01:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/41 "2011-10-05T01:08:53Z")
> [@The\_Controvert](#): > > Well, it’s not like the 2149 end is sitting on top of a SuperWalmart. If they request specific persons or equipment, it or they have to be prepared and readied for the next Pilgrimmage. > > Also, each Pilgrimmage needs time to ramp up. They have to charge up the capacitors, spin up the accelerator, etc. It’s not as simple as pulling on a doorknob to open a door, or flipping a light switch or stepping on the Delorean accelerator petal. They showed this in the pilot pretty clearly - the portal is a massive, highly-advanced machine. > > Besides, the writers need a plot device to induce scarcity in Terra Nova. The story wouldn’t have much dramatic tension without scarcity. > > I think it was hinted there might be a difference in how fast time passes in Terra Nova compared to 2149. (Kind of like the Wardrobe in the Narnia series) If so, that could explain the delays on the 2149 side. > > And when Nathaniel Taylor first went over, some event could have caused the months long interlude. This hasn’t been explained yet, but perhaps there was instability in the 2149 equipment that caused the portal to shut off prematurely before the rest of the team could go through and the 2149 people took a while to figure out the problem. I think my impression was that Nathaniel went in and his son was more or less right behind him - yet it took 18 months. I get the rest of what you are saying and perhaps my impression is wrong - shoot at this point it seems as though it has to be. FTR - overall I don’t think it’s as strong as I was expecting, but it is entertaining. It’s better than falling skies, which I will not be watching anymore (if it even got renewed)… I’m not quite sold on the male lead - he reminds me of the teacher on Glee. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/42 "2011-10-05T01:09:20Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > Am I crazy? I like this show. It’s got people running from Dinosaurs folks! > > The premiere ratings were mediocre but the week to week retention was huge so this show may last longer than I thought last week. Nah you’re not crazy. Both my daughters love it too. It’s not that bad to me but the pilot was just so predictable and full of cliches that’s where I found the humor. I’m not smart enough to notice the science mistakes so if it wasn’t pointed out here I wouldn’t even notice. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/43 "2011-10-05T01:43:52Z")
> [@Meatros](#): > > I think my impression was that Nathaniel went in and his son was more or less right behind him - yet it took 18 months. I get the rest of what you are saying and perhaps my impression is wrong - shoot at this point it seems as though it has to be. IIRC, his son was in the 2nd Pilgrimage. Presumably, as Quaritch was the first man through, he (and the team that followed him 18 months later) was not part of _any_ Pilgrimage. The Pilgrimages are settlers; they would have come though much later, after Quaritch and the early teams had established that they could send through a colony and set up the groundwork for doing so. So Quaritch’s son came though quite a bit later. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/44 "2011-10-05T02:10:03Z")
It seems the writers have cleverly allowed themselves two ways to gate the flow of help from 2149 to Terra Nova. One, the portal apparently can’t be opened willy-nilly. It takes months between Pilgrimmages. (Unless the next episode has the son reuniting with his love from 2149, in which case I stop watching) Two, the world in 2149 is dying and in time, they might not have the energy resources to open the portal again. Or the environmental collapse could be rapid and there’s nobody left alive in 2149. So at any time, it could be the last Pilgrimmage, which I find interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/45 "2011-10-05T02:11:49Z")
I thought the first episode was awful. I was just about to watch episode 2 tonight hoping for vast improvement, but screw it…I’m going to trust your opinions and use my time more wisely. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/46 "2011-10-05T02:19:35Z")
Yeah, I think the Science Poof is the Sixer mole. Maybe I’ll start calling him Doctor J. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/47 "2011-10-05T03:50:06Z")
> [@The\_Controvert](#): > > (Unless the next episode has the son reuniting with his love from 2149, in which case I stop watching) Nope, she’ll show up as soon as he finally hooks up with the new girl. (Oh, and while everyone calling the science guy as the mole, I’m calling her as the mole. The way she talked to the Sixer guy seemed too _familiar_) Also, whenever people talk about Terra Nova in the early days, all I can think is “Why can’t I watch a show about _that._” ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/48 "2011-10-05T04:19:20Z")
> [@Meatros](#): > > I think my impression was that Nathaniel went in and his son was more or less right behind him - yet it took 18 months.\ “Longer than you think, Dad! Longer than you think!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/49 "2011-10-05T04:35:12Z")
While I am enjoying this show, I’d be a fool not to admit that it has a lot of flaws. They have this amazing setting, but the writers seem intent on focussing on bland characters and plots straight out of 90s sitcoms (as **Red Barchetta** mentioned). Its merging of the extraordinary with the completely mundane makes it feel something like _Jurassic Park_ crossed with _The Cosby Show_. It really seemed like they wanted us to dislike Malcolm, but aside from the fact that he’s socially awkward and slightly creepy I thought he seemed like a good guy. After all, he and Elisabeth did save the day. A large part of the problem with the show right now is that the main characters are boring. By far the most interesting character on the show is Captain Taylor, who has been set up as morally ambiguous. I also think the image of him surviving on his own for 118 days, completely unprepared to be without his friends, is very powerful. I’d much rather the show were about him. Also, why is Jim the only member of the security team who goes around out of uniform? He sticks out like a sore thumb. ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/50 "2011-10-05T09:27:21Z")
> [@Loopus](#): > > While I am enjoying this show, I’d be a fool not to admit that it has a lot of flaws. **They have this amazing setting, but the writers seem intent on focussing on bland characters and plots straight out of 90s sitcoms** (as **Red Barchetta** mentioned). Its merging of the extraordinary with the completely mundane makes it feel something like _Jurassic Park_ crossed with _The Cosby Show_. > > \ The bolding part is mine, and the reason why I’ve bolded it is because this particular series was shot in my home town - well, the sets were built in the hills behind it, kind of like the hills behind the major population centres in the series _Lost_. In case you don’t know, I live in the Gold Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia - on the eastern most tip of Australia half way up the eastern seaboard. Warner Brothers have some serious sound stage movie studios about oh, 10 miles from my home. I’ll be riding past them tomorrow morning in my cycling training. They do loads of filming. But more importantly, we have some very VERY special flora and fauna in my local region - some stuff which genuinely goes back hundreds of millions of years to when Australia was still joined to Antarctica and South America - and up in the deep forests some of those shots you’re seeing in this TV series are where there’s some really unique flora and fauna which is ancient - like really REALLY ancient. In that context alone, this particular TV series is an epic lost opportunity. I’m not kidding you, there are trees up in the hinterland which exist nowhere else on the planet - really ancient dinosaur era trees. It’s absolutely amazing stuff. It only exists on certain mountain tops above certain altitudes - but it’s breathtaking stuff to go walking through. The indications are that _Terra Nova_ is a really big time wasted opportunity. The word on the street is that the 13 episodes have been plagued from the outset with directionless scriptwriting. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/51 "2011-10-05T11:22:57Z")
Pandora Sarge: “I can’t see them - the canopy’s too thick. Turn it to thermal” Me: They’re cold-blooded. Science Poof: “They’ve come back here to spawn!” Me: Fish & amphibians spawn, not reptiles. Mr. singular: Wow, that’s really good - and biology is your weak spot! Me: :dubious: Why was the house TP’d when they got it? If all they have inside are inexplicable TP hammocks and rice paper doors, why didn’t the warm-blooded spawning birdtiles just rip through that and eat everybody? Why when a swarm of millions of birdtiles shows up does Our Hero suddenly become invincible so he can stare in awe at the oncoming swarm that is attacking everybody else? The stupid, it burns! ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/52 "2011-10-05T11:55:11Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > Pandora Sarge: “I can’t see them - the canopy’s too thick. Turn it to thermal” > Me: They’re cold-blooded. > Science Poof: “They’ve come back here to spawn!” > Me: Fish & amphibians spawn, not reptiles. > Mr. singular: Wow, that’s really good - and biology is your weak spot! > Me: :dubious: > > Why was the house TP’d when they got it? If all they have inside are inexplicable TP hammocks and rice paper doors, why didn’t the warm-blooded spawning birdtiles just rip through that and eat everybody? Why when a swarm of millions of birdtiles shows up does Our Hero suddenly become invincible so he can stare in awe at the oncoming swarm that is attacking everybody else? > > The stupid, it burns! Peterosaurs were probably all warm blooded in the manner of birds. > [@](#): > > At least some pterosaurs were covered with hair-like filaments known as pycnofibres, similar to but not homologous (sharing a common structure) with mammalian hair. Pycnofibres were not true hair as seen in mammals, but a unique structure that developed a similar appearance through convergent evolution. Although in some cases actinofibrils (internal structural fibres) in the wing membrane have been mistaken for pycnofibres or true hair, some fossils such as those of Sordes pilosus (which translates as “hairy demon”) and Jeholopterus ninchengensis do show the unmistakable imprints of pycnofibres on the head and body, not unlike modern-day bats, another example of convergent evolution.[17] The presence of pycnofibres (and the demands of flight) imply that pterosaurs were endothermic (warm-blooded). Even if they were not, the demands of life mean that they must warm up by basking beyond ambient air temperature. An active reptile would show up on thermal. I take it you are simply being snarky about the loose use of the word spawn. If the pterosaurs abandon their young in the manner of turtles, rather than caring for the hatchlings, (unlikely, but whatever TN makes up all sorts of stuff) this term would be more appropriate than nesting grounds or hatchery etc. ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/53 "2011-10-05T16:45:01Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > “Which way is north? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?” > > “That way, ma’am.” > > “How do you know, oh precocious-and-hot teen girl who’s destined to be knocked up by a soldier?” > > “By the moss on that tree over there, ma’am.” > > :smack: This _so_ needed a “Wrong, dumbass! We’re in the southern hemisphere.” resolution. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/54 "2011-10-05T17:29:06Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > Bad!science Daughter continued her reign of misinformation with her “moss grows on the north side of trees”. Yeah, in a rainforest, the moss is _only_ growing on the north side of the trees. To be fair, they asked how she knew north, and she just said “the moss,” without specifying any side of any tree. Maybe the moss TALKED to her – did you think of that, Mr. Smartypants? ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/55 "2011-10-05T17:29:14Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Peterosaurs were probably all warm blooded in the manner of birds. > > Even if they were not, the demands of life mean that they must warm up by basking beyond ambient air temperature. An active reptile would show up on thermal. > > I take it you are simply being snarky about the loose use of the word spawn. If the pterosaurs abandon their young in the manner of turtles, rather than caring for the hatchlings, (unlikely, but whatever TN makes up all sorts of stuff) this term would be more appropriate than nesting grounds or hatchery etc. Aw, crap. I was so enjoying making fun of them, too. I’m just going to assume what you said is way over their heads, since they got so much other stuff wrong, and bask in my unjustified sense of superiority. It’s easier on my fragile little ego.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/56 "2011-10-05T17:50:32Z")
Here’s a fun idea for the show’s producers: earth’s magnetic polarity reversed around \*\* 85 million years ago\*\* (from the opposite of today’s polarity, and then stayed stable in today’s orientation for the longest single known period.) Cite: [http://scienceblogs.com/highlyallochthonous/2009/02/is\_the\_earths\_magnetic\_field\_a.php](http://scienceblogs.com/highlyallochthonous/2009/02/is_the_earths_magnetic_field_a.php) Where’s your moss NOW, girlie? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/57 "2011-10-05T17:58:00Z")
I’ll go with the sentient moss theory. Fits the observable facts. Near the beginning of the ep, Dr Quinn, Prehistoric Medicine Woman (the Mom), was painting (?) the house. I was not paying attention, being online arguing with Sleestaks, so I didn’t really pay attention to what was happening. Was she painting? Heating it up? Using a ray gun? ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/58 "2011-10-05T18:04:09Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > I’ll go with the sentient moss theory. Fits the observable facts. > Near the beginning of the ep, Dr Quinn, Prehistoric Medicine Woman (the Mom), was painting (?) the house. I was not paying attention, being online arguing with Sleestaks, so I didn’t really pay attention to what was happening. Was she painting? Heating it up? Using a ray gun? Spray gun, with a paint made from a natural dye of one of the local plants. The poop yellow color wasn’t a huge hit with everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/59 "2011-10-05T18:05:14Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > Aw, crap. I was so enjoying making fun of them, too. I’m just going to assume what you said is way over their heads, since they got so much other stuff wrong, and bask in my unjustified sense of superiority. It’s easier on my fragile little ego.😛 Hell man, don’t sweat it. Og knows they’ve got enough else all screwed up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519/60 "2011-10-05T18:43:25Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > “Longer than you think, Dad! Longer than you think!” 🙂 That’s what came to mind for me, except being shouted by Mr. Tumnus. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terra-nova-10-3/598519.md?page=4)