Star Trek creator Gene Rodenberry’s posthumous sci-fi series, Earth: Final Conflict is to be released on a six-disc DVD collection, by Universal Playback, on 3rd April, starting with Season One.
Developed from notes Roddenberry’s wife, Majel Barrett, kept of his story and series ideas, which became the basis of this popular show that eventually ran for five seasons.
Set in the early years of 21st century, an androgynous alien species, calling themselves the Taelons, arrived on Earth. They claimed to be companions of humanity, and put an end to crime, illness and famine. Three years after their arrival, they have become an invaluable resource to the world’s governments and corporations.
There is a small group of individuals, however, who believe the Taelons’ true purpose is much more sinister, and their suspicions ultimately give rise to a group of freedom fighters, who recruit Head of Interspecies Relations, William Boone (Kevin Kilner), who agrees to work for both sides in order to determine what it is the Taelons really want.
It is not long before the underground resistance learn the terrible truth: the force that sustains the Taelons is breaking down, and the race is now using humans as test subjects in an experiment to help save their species. The fate of humanity… and the future of Earth, now lies with the resistance.
Season One box-set contains all 22 episodes spread over 6 discs, for a total of sixteen and a half hours of viewing. So, if you want to see a vast universe full of treacherous alien races and friends from other worlds; a universe full of techno-wizardry, freedom fighters and mega-corporations then check out Earth: Final Conflict on DVD from April 3 at £34.99 rrp. Buy it from Amazon for just £26.24 with free delivery.
Click here for further information on other Playback titles.
To win a Earth: Final Conflict Season One DVD box-set answer the following question: Which future year has been commonly predicted as the end of the world (as we know it)? E-mail your answer by April 15 to be in the draw. DO NOT leave your answer or personal details in the comment box below as you will not be entered in the draw. Only one entry per household. Automated and bulk entries will be deleted.
Review
Although it may be considered sacrilegious and heretical, I was never overly impressed by shows with the Gene Roddenberry name attached to them. I just didn’t see what all the fuss was about Star Trek, and I tried Andromeda but it just didn’t grab me. I think it’s all those spaceships that put me off. Having said that my two favourite shows, Firefly and Battlestar Gallactica, are both spaceship based, if only in name. Or maybe it’s just the alien presence in the Roddenberry shows that turned me off. But enough of my prejudices, because they were dispelled when I started watching Earth: Final Conflict.
Admittedly this show was produced after Roddenberry’s death, and may have been freed from his legendary, and reputedly stifling, control, but it was based on concepts and stories he left in note form. This is apparent in the moral, philosophical and religious ideas that are covered in some of the stories, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your view of such subjects. I always find shows that broach these topics to be interesting, and while some of the ideas are presented in a rather conservative and glossy American way, they do also introduce possibilities that stimulate interesting debate.
On to the show itself. The idea of androgynous, humanoid creatures arriving on Earth and helping to resolve the problems that face humanity is in itself interesting, reminding me both of David Bowie in The Man who Fell to Earth and Eric von Daniken’s documentary hypothesis, Chariot of the Gods. But this show has the added aspect of being an earthbound cop show, of sorts.
Even though it was made in 1997 and set in the early 21st Century, I has a very 80s look and feel to it. The CGI is a bit better than was achievable then, but when the Taelons are in their natural form they do look like something out of Lawnmower Man.
Overall, apart from a few inconsistencies in production values, the show is engrossing and not always predictable, although some of the dialogue is. The series unfolds nicely, as we are left guessing the Taelons’ real motives, which they don’t reveal too quickly.
For fans of the show, this is the first time the first season has been available on DVD, and it is generally considered to one of the best. Not having anything to compare it with, I can’t dispute it, but I did find myself happily watching three episodes in a row and then watched some more, something I haven’t done since watching DVDs of my aforementioned favourite shows. If you’ve never seen it before, have a spare £30 and 16 hours, it is definitely worth a look. Or enter our competition to win a box set.