Today's Entertainment

'Terra Nova' hopes the past is its future By Kate O'Hare © Zap2it Having Steven Spielberg as executive producer on a new Fox show attracts atten- tion. Then when the network announces it's giving the show the "Glee" treatment and airing the pilot in May, expectations get a rocket boost. But computer-gener- ated dinosaurs only grow so fast, so the science-fiction drama "Terra Nova" actually premieres on Monday, Sept. 26. Fox invited writers to see a cut of the first hour of the two-hour pilot, and the special effects weren't quite done. Another viewing of a re-edited first hour weeks later revealed ... the effects still weren't quite done. With any luck, "Terra Nova" will hatch just in time for Mon- day, but executive producer Brannon Braga (with him and Spielberg, about 12 people have executive producer credits) says they're moving right along. Speaking in late August, he says, "We're working on the final two scripts right now. We're deep in post-production on six and seven, about to start post-production on epi- sodes eight and nine. We're filming 10 and 11. We're in the thick of it." "Terra Nova" (or "New Earth/Land/Ground" in Latin) begins in 2149, when the planet is blighted and over- crowded. Scientists discover a fracture in time, connecting the present with the age of dinosaurs. So "pilgrimages" of hu- mans and equipment are sent through the rift to establish a colony in the distant past in hopes of saving humanity and having a second chance for a better civilization. But since the new land has the same old human beings, you can imagine how well that goes. "Just because we're aspir- ing to do better this time," says Braga, "doesn't neces- sarily mean that it's going to work out the way they want it to." Jason O'Mara ("Life on Mars") stars as Chicago po- lice detective Jim Shannon, who busts out of the prison he was sent to because he and his wife, Dr. Elisabeth Shannon (Shelley Conn), broke their society's two-child rule. Elisabeth is recruited for the Tenth Pilgrimage, and Jim risks it all to get himself, her, their teenagers (Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott) and their youngest daughter (Ala- na Mansour) through the rift. Once there, he meets the colony's imposing leader, Cmdr. Nathaniel Taylor (Ste- phen Lang), a lot of hostile (and nonhostile) prehistoric creatures and shockingly clean air. But there are issues with the neighbors, some pilgrims who seem to have a different agenda. Soon Taylor must Take a break in our call on Jim's law enforcement skills to battle foes both ani- mal and human. "We were racing across the roofs of Terra Nova last night," says the Irish-born O'Mara, calling in from the show's location in Australia, "and then jumping from the roofs. I'm a little stiff this morning, but I've been train- ing for it and happy to do it." As for Jim's relationship with Taylor, O'Mara says, "We wanted to create a kind of Butch and Sundance thing, regardless of any age dif- ferences. We just wanted to tell a story about two guys who've come together with a similar cause. "There are strains and conflicts in their relationship, but they, for the most part, have come together and united to make Terra Nova a better place and also to de- fend it against all attackers at all costs." When phone problems prevent him from calling in, Lang offers to answer ques- tions by email. Also asked about Taylor and Jim Shannon, Lang writes, "Very interesting rela- tionship between Taylor and Shannon (The Great O'Mara). Both alpha males. Is there room in the colony for two? Have shifting measures of re- spect, affection and wariness for and of each other. "Shannon is a family man; surrounded by love. Taylor is a loner, having lost most of the people he loved. Both hard guys, but both have big hearts. Both are totally com- mitted to the vision of Terra Nova, a brave new world." O'Mara concurs, saying, "His focus is to ensure the colony is protected and sur- vives and thrives. My main focus is to ensure the same thing for my family. We actual- ly have the same goals here. His is to protect the colony; mine is to protect my family." Even though the idea of Terra Nova is utopian, O'Mara insists it's not going to be all Clearing Facts about cataracts! Vision blurry or foggy? Colors dull or muted? Glasses no longer working? Decreased night vision? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have cataracts. Schedule your FREE cataract consultation today! 800.283.8393 www.bolingvisioncenter.com GOSHEN OFFICE 1615 Winsted Drive | Goshen IN 46526 dinosaur picnics and "Kum- baya." "It's pretty psychologically EVERY TUESDAY! Antiques & Collectibles beginning at 4:00 p.m. Our Newest Addition complex," he says. "It's not a Pollyanna-ish show. That's one of the reasons I gravi- tated towards the initial prem- ise. It's not just 'Swiss Family Robinson.' It has all the fun and adventure, but there's a lot of stuff that's going to be going on here." And you won't have to wait years to find out about it. Says Braga, "I've always been a fan of 'If you have a good idea, don't sit on it; use it.' 'Oooh, we'll save that for season two!' 'Well, how about episode two?' "Having said that, one of the premises of this show is you can't build Utopia in a day." DuMor Water Specialists Inc. ... Delivering Quality Products & Services Since 1952 Experience the elegance, tradition, and unmatched Amish quality of tables, chairs, bedroom suites, and more. B Dutch Village Borkholder Antiques, Crafts, and Gift Mall 700 N Tomahawk Tr., Nappanee, IN 574.773.2828 • www.borkholder.com Stephen Lang stars in "Terra Nova," premiering Monday on Fox. 2 The Goshen News • Viewer's Choice • Saturday, September 24 - Friday, September 30, 2011 www.wedumor.com 522-9500 things up ... Providing the water your family deserves! Call today for a FREE In-Home Quote!

• Cover