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This page contains a transcript of the episode “Genesis: Part 1”.

ACT ONE[]

FADE IN:

EXT. THE MOON – DAY

The camera moves from the American flag on the Moon to a view of the EARTH, which is covered in beige clouds. Titles are written over the background.

At the dawn of the 22nd century
The world is on the verge of environmental collapse
Mankind’s only hope for survival
Lies 85 million years in the past


The camera flies to the Earth, specifically to an apartment building in CHICAGO, entering it through the window.

INT. CHICAGO – APARTMENT BUILDING’S HALLWAY – DAY

JIM SHANNON is walking through the hallway. He has a REBREATHER on his face and a BAG in his hand. He walks up to a door with the number 22307 on it and enters the apartment.

INT. CHICAGO – APARTMENT 22307 – DAY

Jim puts the bag down, then takes off his rebreather and coat. JOSH SHANNON joins him.


JOSH
Hey, Dad!

JIM
Hey, buddy.

JOSH
What’s in the bag?


Josh tries to take the bag, but Jim snatches it away from him.


JIM
Uh‑uh!

JOSH
What is it? Come on, what’s in the bag?


Jim takes out an ORANGE. Josh stares at it in surprise.


JOSH (CONT’D)
No way. Where’d you get it?

ELISABETH (O.S.)
Get what?


Elisabeth joins them, carrying three years old ZOE.


JOSH
Dad scored an orange.

ELISABETH
No! From where? I can’t even remember the last time I saw one of those.
(to Zoe)
Hey, look, Zoe.


Elisabeth puts Zoe down. Jim shows her the orange.


JIM
Hey, Zoe.

JOSH
I can peel it for her.


Jim throws the orange to Josh, who starts peeling it. Jim and Elisabeth take a step away.


ELISABETH
Hey.

JIM
Hi.


They share a brief kiss.


ELISABETH
How was your day?

JIM
Missed you. How was yours?

ELISABETH
Great, actually. Three more patients with pulmo‑replasia. One was a seven‑year‑old boy. He could hardly breathe on his own.

JIM
It’s getting worse and worse out there. Even a rebreather isn’t enough anymore.


Josh touches Zoe’s nose.


JOSH
You got a little on your nose.


Zoe wipes her nose with her sleeve and Josh laughs. Watching them, Elisabeth and Jim smile at each other.


JOSH (CONT’D)
All right. Cool, huh? Juice.


Zoe babbles unintelligibly while Josh is showing her the orange. MADDY SHANNON enters the apartment, taking off her rebreather and bag.


MADDY
They’re coming. I was downstairs, and I saw them. They’re on their way now.


The Shannons look at each other in alarm. Jim and Josh go to open an AIR VENT. Elisabeth goes to pick up Zoe and hide her in the vent.


ELISABETH
Zoe, baby? It’s time to play hideaway, okay? Okay, come on. Climb in there for Mummy. Everything’s going to be…


Somebody starts banging on the apartment’s door. Zoe whines. Maddy picks up Zoe’s toy and hands it to Elisabeth, who gives it to Zoe.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
Okay, love you.


Jim closes Zoe in the vent while the banging on the door continues. Jim then goes to open the door, revealing three POPULATION CONTROL OFFICERS standing behind.


Population Control. You’re being investigated for a possible violation.

JIM
Oh, no, there, there must be some mistake. Uh, I’m a cop, too.


Officer 1 walks inside, bumping into Jim in the process.


JIM (CONT’D)
Hey!

OFFICER 1
I need you to step outside so we can search the premises.

JIM
Okay. Let’s go! Come on, guys. It’s okay.


Maddy, Josh, Elisabeth and Jim walk out, and the officers walk in. Officers 2 and 3 start to search the apartment, throwing things in the process.


MADDY
Hey! Be careful with that!


Officer 2 hits the air vent.


ZOE (O.S.)
No.

OFFICER 1
Hold it!


Zoe starts to cry.


ZOE
Mommy… Mommy.


Jim and Elisabeth share a worried look. Officer 3 opens the air vent and finds Zoe inside. He nods at Officer 1, then gestures at Zoe to come toward him


OFFICER 3
Come on. Come on! Come here! I’m not playing around. Come on.


Zoe keeps on crying.


JIM
Leave her alone! Don’t touch her!


Jim PUNCHES Officer 1, knocking him to the ground.


ELISABETH
Jim!

MADDY
Dad!

JOSH
No! Dad!


Jim pushes off Officer 2 and kicks Officer 3.


ZOE
Mommy!

ELISABETH
(to Josh and Maddy)
Stay back!

ZOE
Mommy!

MADDY
Stop it!

ELISABETH
Zoe! Look at Mummy!


Jim hits both officers. Officer 2 TASERS Jim. Jim screams in pain and falls to the ground.


JOSH
Stop! Stop it! Dad, no! Dad, no!

ELISABETH
Jim!


The Shannons yell over one another while Zoe cries harder.


ZOE
Mommy!


Officers 2 and 3 handcuff Jim. Officer 1 gets up from the ground with a bloody nose.


OFFICER 1
See, now, you shouldn’t have done that, pal.


While Jim is being handcuffed, Josh starts to cry.

EXT. GOLAD PRISON – EVENING

Titles are written over the background.

Golad prison
2 years later

INT. GOLAD PRISON – EVENING

Elisabeth walks toward a few cells with a PRISON GUARD by her side. The guard bangs on one of the cells


PRISON GUARD
Shannon!
(to Elisabeth)
You paid for five minutes.


Elisabeth walks towards the cell and sees Jim inside.


ELISABETH
Oh, my God, Jim.


Jim, sickly‑looking, walks towards her and touches her through a small opening.


JIM
Elisabeth.

ELISABETH
Jim… Hey… Look at you…


Jim coughs.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
(to the guard)
Who are they, just prisoners, so there’s no need to filter the air, is that it?

JIM
Don’t worry about me. I’m holding on okay. What are you doing here? Are the kids all right?

ELISABETH
Yeah, they’re good, but… Oh, Jim…


Elisabeth starts to weep.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
Um, I’ve been contacted by the, the recruitment people for Terra Nova.

JIM
Terra Nova? Oh, that’s incredible news. When?

ELISABETH
The tenth pilgrimage is scheduled to leave next week.

JIM
Oh, my God, Liz… You got to go. You got to take the kids, and you got to go.

ELISABETH
Jim…

JIM
It’s a chance at a new life. Don’t pass it up.

ELISABETH
No, no, you don’t understand! They’re not going to let me take Zoe.

JIM
Why?

ELISABETH
They said we can’t be rewarded for breaking the law. So it’s, it’s me and Maddy and Josh, or it’s nothing.

JIM
No. There’s, there’s, there’s got to be some way around this.

ELISABETH
There is.


A BUZZING SOUND is heard.


PRISON GUARD
Time’s up. Someone’s coming.

ELISABETH
Okay.
(to Jim)
Jim, I’m counting on you.

PRISON GUARD
We need to go! Now!

ELISABETH
Okay.


She takes off her rebreather.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
Just let me give him this, okay? Please! It’s the air. It’s killing him.

PRISON GUARD
Fine!


Elisabeth hands Jim the rebreather.


ELISABETH
Take that. Take care of yourself, okay? Okay?


The guard takes Elisabeth away. Jim sits down in his cell. He opens up the rebreather and finds a LASER KNIFE, which he uses to cut through a cup.

EXT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

The camera flies toward Hope Plaza’s TRAIN STATION, passing two SCREENS where a female NEWSCASTER is speaking.


NEWSCASTER
Terra Nova, the new world. A name everyone everywhere has come to know as a symbol of hope. Twenty‑two years have passed since scientists first realized their subatomic experiments uncovered an unexpected phenomenon. Physicists characterized this anomaly as a fracture in the fabric of time and space.


A train arrives to the station. Elisabeth, Maddy and Josh get off.


MADDY
You said he’d be on this train.

ELISABETH
He’ll be here, Maddy. Just keep your voice down! I got it all planned out. Don’t worry.

JOSH
Yeah. Step one: Dad breaks out of a maximum‑security facility. Step two: Dad breaks into a maximum‑security facility. Piece of cake.


INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING


MAN
Next in line, please.


Elisabeth walks up to a WOMAN SITTING BEHIND SCREENS.


ELISABETH
Doctor Elisabeth Shannon.

WOMAN SITTING BEHIND SCREENS
Transferring with two children?

ELISABETH
That’s right.


EXT. CHICAGO – EVENING

The camera zooms in on a moving train.

INT. TRAIN – EVENING

Jim is inside, wearing a rebreather. He rolls up his shirt a little and CUTS his skin open. He pushes a small, blinking CHIP out and throws it to the ground.

EXT. TRAIN STATION – EVENING

Above the station, a screen can be seen. The screen shows a silhouette ‎of a family with the words “A family is four” written above. The screen then changes to an animated silhouette of multiple people with the words “Overpopulation equals extinction” above them. A train arrives to the station. Multiple people, including Jim, get off. Jim walks down the street, passing a group of children who are watching the news on their PLEX.


NEWSCASTER
The latest word from Hope Plaza is that the tenth pilgrimage will depart for Terra Nova in just an hour from now. This pilgrimage will bring the total number of colonists to Terra Nova to…


Jim goes off the street and finds a BACKPACK hidden there. He opens it and finds an ID CARD with his photo on it, a PISTOL, a UNIFORM and MONEY.

INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

Elisabeth has her ID card scanned.


MAN (O.S.)
Next in line, please.


INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

Maddy has her ID card scanned.


MADDY
Thank you.


Maddy smiles and walks off. Josh comes in her place, frowning, and has his ID card scanned.


MAN ON PA 1
If you are wearing a red security badge, please report to the departure platform.


INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING


MAN ON PA 1
If you are wearing a red security badge, please report to the departure platform.


A screen on Josh’s SLEEVE beeps. He looks at it and finds a “message from KARA” that says: “Turn Around!” Josh does so and finds Kara standing behind a barrier. He smiles and walks toward her. They touch each other’s fingers through gaps in the barrier.


KARA
I love you. I miss you already.

JOSH
I’m going to figure out a way to get you there. Even if I have to come back here and get you myself.

KARA
It’s a one‑way trip, Josh. There’s no way back.

WOMAN ON PA 1
Final call has commenced. Please proceed immediately to the departure platform.

KARA
Go. Live a wonderful life.

JOSH
I love you.


Josh walks off.

INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING


WOMAN ON PA 2
Please return your rebreathers and place them in the bins provided. Your rebreathers will not be required.


Multiple people, along with Elisabeth and Josh, place some of their things into bins.

EXT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

The camera zooms in on a CAR driving toward SECURITY GATE 3.

INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

While a male voice is heard speaking on PA, the car comes to a stop. Jim is bound to the car from below. When it stops, he unfastens himself. He rolls away, stands up and walks off.

INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

Jim walks up to a FEMALE OPERATIVE standing behind screens. She scans his ID card.


FEMALE OPERATIVE
Launch platform is straight down that corridor. Hurry.

MAN ON PA 2
Attention! Phase Two sequence has begun. Attention! Phase Two sequence has begun.


Jim walks off in the direction she has pointed to. A screen on his sleeve beeps and he finds a “message from unknown” that says: “Corridor 14 Door 26‑G.” Jim taps on the screen once, and the words “Package is waiting” appear.

INT. ROOM 26‑G – EVENING

HOPE PLAZA TECH is standing in the room. Someone bangs on the door from the outside. The technician opens it, and Jim walks in.


HOPE PLAZA TECH
You’re late.

JIM
Where is it?

HOPE PLAZA TECH
Money first.

JIM
Where is it?!


Jim gives him the bag he was carrying, and the technician looks in the direction of another bag. Jim takes off his jacket, then looks into the bag.


HOPE PLAZA TECH
Remember, if you get caught, you’re on your own.


INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

People (including Elisabeth, Josh and Maddy) are walking toward a long causeway leading to the PORTAL.


MAN ON PA 1
Portal dilation will commence in T‑minus five minutes.

ELISABETH
Come on, Jim. Where are you?

JOSH
If Dad doesn’t make it, do we still have to go?

MADDY
He’ll make it! He has to.


INT. HOPE PLAZA’S OPERATING ROOM – EVENING

Multiple ENGINEERS are looking at holographic screens.


The event horizon is at point‑six microns. Point‑seven. Holding at point‑seven.

Standing by to initiate portal dilation.

ENGINEER 1
Terminus is stable.

Initiate portal dilation.


The portal LIGHTS UP.

INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

People (including Elisabeth, Josh and Maddy) are walking down the causeway towards the portal.


WOMAN ON PA 3
Your bodies will not be accustomed to the oxygen‑rich atmosphere. Please take short, even breaths. Medical assistance and care will be on hand.


INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

Jim is climbing up a ladder, carrying a bag on his back.

INT. HOPE PLAZA’S OPERATING ROOM – EVENING


FEMALE ENGINEER
Receiving portal is synchronized.

TECHNICIAN (O.S.)
Sir, you need to have a look at this.


Engineer 3 looks at a holographic screen, where he sees Jim. The words “perimeter breach” are on the screen.


ENGINEER 3
(to his headset)
Get me security.


INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

Jim joins people who are walking to the causeway.

INT. HOPE PLAZA – EVENING

People (including Elisabeth, Josh and Maddy) are walking down the causeway.


WOMAN ON PA 3
Disorientation is expected while transiting. Your eyes will not be accustomed to the bright sunlight. Medical care will be on hand to provide assistance.

JOSH
I’m telling you, he’s not going to show. Something went wrong.


Maddy looks back over her shoulder and spots Jim in the crowd.


MADDY
Mom.


Elisabeth and Josh also look back to see him.


ELISABETH
Oh, Jim, thank god!


Jim walks up to his family. Maddy hugs him.


MADDY
Dad.

JIM
Okay, okay. Easy. Don’t call attention.


Jim breaks the hug. He notices a PORTAL GUARD whispering to a SECURITY GUARD.


PORTAL GUARD
Perimeter breach suspected…

ELISABETH
Jim, what?

JIM
Take the pack.


Jim and Elisabeth exchange bags.


JIM (CONT’D)
Whatever happens, keep moving. Go. Go!


The security guard walks up to Jim.


SECURITY GUARD
Sir, I need you to step out of line.


The guard takes Jim away.


SECURITY GUARD (CONT’D)
You were seen leaving a restricted area.

JIM
Oh, sorry, I took a wrong turn.


Elisabeth, Josh, and Maddy walk up to the portal, next in line.


JOSH
Mom!

ELISABETH
We have to keep going.

JOSH
If we go in there, we can’t come back.

ELISABETH
We will be right behind you. Go!


Josh goes towards the portal. Jim, not far away, is still talking to the guard.


JIM
Oh, I’ve already been through security.

SECURITY GUARD
I need to check your pack and do a retinal scan.


Jim sees Josh walk through the portal to TERRA NOVA.


JIM
I told you I’ve already been cleared.


Maddy is walking towards the portal, but then she turns around and goes to Elisabeth.


MADDY
No, I won’t go without Dad!

ELISABETH
Go with your brother.

MADDY
Mom.

ELISABETH
It’s okay. I’m going to be right behind you, Maddy.

MADDY
Dad…

ELISABETH
He’ll find a way. Okay? He always does. Now go! You go. I love you.


Maddy walks through the portal while Jim watches.


JIM
This is ridiculous! You must have made a mistake.


Jim sees Elisabeth turn around. She looks in his direction.


SECURITY GUARD
Sir, I need to know why you were in a restricted area.


Jim sees Elisabeth take a few steps back, still looking at Jim. She then turns around and walks through the portal.


SECURITY GUARD
Sir, you’re going to have to come with me now.


Jim HITS the guard and starts to RUN towards the portals. People are heard screaming: “Hey! Stop that man!” “Someone stop him!” “Stop him! Come on!” Jim hits another guard and runs through the portal’s blue light to

EXT. JUNGLE – DAY

Jim runs out of the portal, bumping into a man. He looks around, disoriented, and sees multiple people having masks put on by medical staff. Overwhelmed, Jim FALLS to the ground. People are heard talking: “Back up, back up!” “Come on, you guys.” “Let’s go!” Screeches of the jungle’s wildlife are heard. Jim is staring up, seeing blinding light coming through the treetops. He GASPS.

A MEDICAL TECH, kneeling by Elisabeth and holding a breathing mask to her face, notices Jim. Maddy and Josh are standing behind them. The tech stands up, removing the mask. Elisabeth gasps.


MEDICAL TECH
He’s going into hyper‑oxic shock! CO2 infuser, now!

MADDY
Dad!


GUZMAN notices that Jim is holding a pistol.


GUZMAN
Gun!


Soldiers drag Elisabeth, Josh and Maddy away. Other soldiers aim their firearms at Jim.


JIM
Get away from my family!

GUZMAN
Put it down! Put it down!


Jim puts the pistol down and holds his hands up in submission.


GUZMAN (CONT’D)
(to soldiers)
Check their pack for more weapons!


A soldier approaches the pack with a KNIFE in his hand, intending to slice it open.


ELISABETH
NO!

JIM
No!

ELISABETH
No!


Elisabeth, Josh and Maddy run towards the pack. Josh pushes the soldier with the knife away from the bag. Jim punches a soldier and runs up to his family. Elisabeth opens the bag and pulls out Zoe Shannon. She takes off Zoe’s breathing mask and embraces her. Jim defensively holds out his arm.

FADE OUT.

ACT TWO[]

FADE IN:

EXT. JUNGLE – DAY

Pilgrims (including the Shannons) are walking towards the colony.


(to her comm)
You heard right. Two stowaways, adult male and a five‑year‑old girl.

MALE VOICE FROM COMM
Copy that, Lieutenant Washington.

WASHINGTON
Tell Commander Taylor we’re headed back now.

(to Jim)
So how much trouble do you think we’re in?

JIM
Well, you were recruited. I mean, they need you too much not to cut you some slack. Me?

ELISABETH
You think they’ll make you serve out your time?

JIM
Well, I hope not.


Buzzing is heard. Jim smacks his neck.


JIM (CONT’D)
I’m not scheduled to be released for another 85 million years.


Zoe is seen being carried by Josh. She looks up to the sky, seeing white CLOUDS on the blue.


ZOE
Are those clouds?

JIM
Yeah, sweetie. They are.

ZOE
They’re so white…


The pilgrims keep on walking. They are seen crossing a bridge that seems to be a tree’s log.


JIM
Hey, uh, Zoe? I know I was gone a long time, but you remember me, right?


A loud BLAST is heard, followed by a ROAR. People crouch. Elisabeth rushes over to her kids. Guzman looks around. They hear another roar.


GUZMAN
Allosaur tripped a sonic mine. Just keep moving.


People get up to go.


JOSH
(to Maddy)
Allosaur, that the carnivorous kind?

MADDY
Yup.

JOSH
Hope we’re getting close!


EXT. TERRA NOVA – DAY

The pilgrims are arriving to the COLONY. A few cars ride towards them, honking.


MAN FROM CAR 1
Hey, welcome to Terra Nova.

MAN FROM CAR 2
Welcome!


The colony’s large, wooden GATE opens. The pilgrims walk through it, gathering in front of the COMMAND BASE.

INT. COMMAND BASE – DAY

COMMANDER TAYLOR opens the door and walks out to speak to the newly arrived.

EXT. COLONY – DAY


TAYLOR
Citizens of 2149! I’m Commander Nathaniel Taylor, but you probably already know that. Congratulations! Each one of you has taken a first step, just as I did seven years ago, toward a new beginning. Together, we are at the dawn of a new civilization. No pressure.


People chuckle.


TAYLOR (CONT’D)
The world you left behind fell victim to some of the baser instincts of our species: greed, war, ignorance. We blew it. We destroyed our home. But we have been entrusted with a second chance. A chance to start over. A chance to get it right. Welcome to Terra Nova, folks! Welcome home.


People start to clap. Guzman walks up to Jim and Elisabeth.


GUZMAN
Taylor wants to see you. Without the children.

ELISABETH
Okay.


Guzman starts to walk off.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
(to Zoe)
We’ll be right back, sweetheart.

JIM
We’ll be right back.


Jim and Elisabeth follow Guzman to the command base. Guzman directs them inside.

INT. COMMAND BASE – DAY

Jim and Elisabeth walk inside. They walk past Lieutenant Washington, looking around. Guzman also walks in. They find Commander Taylor sitting behind his desk (supported by a giant dinosaur’s SKULL), looking at his plex.


TAYLOR
Doctor Elisabeth Shannon, first in your class at Northwestern Med. Doctor of Science in immunology, bacteriology and a couple other “ologies” I can’t even pronounce. Two years pro bono trauma work at I‑Help‑the‑Poor‑People General.

ELISABETH
Commander Taylor, I…


Taylor keeps on talking, not letting Elisabeth speak. Having put down the plex, he stands up.


TAYLOR
What I don’t get is it also says here that your husband is currently serving a six‑year bit at Golad lock away. And yet, here he is. With a third child in tow. What am I to make of this?

JIM
Look, uh, this was all my idea, okay? Elisabeth didn’t even know.

TAYLOR
Didn’t she? A man doesn’t escape from Golad without help from the outside.

JIM
Um, they weren’t going to let us bring Zoe. There was no other choice.

TAYLOR
Law caps families at two kids. You had a third, you got caught, and you took the fall. Thing is this: I really don’t care about population laws from another time. What I do care about is whether or not an individual is of use to this colony. A doctor we need. An escaped fugitive? Not so much.

ELISABETH
Commander Taylor, all we’re looking for here is… a fresh start. We just want to be a family again.

TAYLOR
Well, Doctor Shannon, we are pleased to have you here. Lieutenant Washington will show you to your kids. I’m going to have a private word with your husband.


Elisabeth and Washington leave.


TAYLOR (CONT’D)
Now, it also says here that you were a cop before you went away.

JIM
Narcotics, Chicago PD.

TAYLOR
I don’t understand. A man sworn to uphold the law, a woman as accomplished as your wife, and you decide to have a third kid, to risk everything. Why?

JIM
It seemed like a good idea at the time.

TAYLOR
You thought that was a good idea? That you’d actually get away with it… Good grief, son, what were you thinking?

JIM
What’s between me and my wife is none of your damn business. Now, are you going to lock me up or what?

TAYLOR
What I ought to do is throw you outside the fence and let you fend for yourself.

JIM
No, what you ought to do is give me a gun and a badge and let me do what I’m good at. There must be some bad guys around here who need catching.


They stare at each other for a moment.


TAYLOR
Agricultural detail is down a man. That’s all.


Taylor sits down once more.


JIM
According to my daughter, I have whatever the opposite of a green thumb is.


Taylor gives a nod, smiling.


JIM (CONT’D)
I’ll do my best.


Jim walks out while Taylor watches him.

EXT. COLONY – DAY

MARK REYNOLDS is leading the Shannons to their new HOUSE.


ELISABETH
(to Jim)
Agricultural duty? You can make that work, right?

JIM
Beats making license plates.

MARK
Your quarters are here, in the newer part of the settlements. There’s a PX down that way for supplies. Some of these units aren’t quite finished. I, I don’t even think yours has been painted yet.


They come to a stop in front of a house.


MARK (CONT’D)
Here we are.

ELISABETH
This is ours?

MARK
If you need anything, just let us know.


Mark walks away. Elisabeth picks up Zoe.


ELISABETH
This is it. Come on!


INT. SHANNONS’ HOUSE – DAY

Elisabeth, carrying Zoe in her arms, opens the front door. The Shannons walk inside, looking around at their new home.


MADDY
I get the room with the most windows!


Maddy runs off to look at the BEDROOMS. Elisabeth puts Zoe down.


JOSH
I get first pick.

MADDY (O.S.)
Says who?

JOSH
I’m the oldest.

MADDY (O.S.)
Oh, man, they gave us the M‑7 model!


Josh goes to take a look at the bedrooms. Zoe peeks behind the bedrooms’ curtains as well. Jim and Elisabeth stay in the KITCHEN.


ELISABETH
It’s not bad, right? We can throw some paint on the walls, get a rug or something.

JIM
Do they have rugs here? Maybe a nice sort of dino‑runner would be great down the hallway. I don’t know.

ELISABETH
Jim? We did the right thing, didn’t we? Coming here?

ZOE
Mommy? There’s no room for me.

JIM
We’ll figure something out, sweetie.


Zoe silently turns her gaze to the ground.


JIM (CONT’D)
(to Elisabeth)
She doesn’t know me.

ELISABETH
The last time you saw her, she was barely three.


Jim steps toward Zoe and squats down to her level.


JIM
So, we need to find a bed for… Oh. What’s your name, again?


Zoe gives Elisabeth a look.


JIM (CONT’D)
Oh, that’s right, Martha. Okay, so we need…


Zoe shakes her head. Maddy comes to watch.


JIM (CONT’D)
Oh. Oh, right, right, right! Priscilla.


Zoe shakes her head again, giggling.


JIM (CONT’D)
Not Priscilla, huh?


Zoe shakes her head once more. Josh watches the scene from one of the bedrooms as well.


JIM (CONT’D)
Hmm… Oh, wait. I got it. It’s Zoe.


Zoe grins and nods.


JIM (CONT’D)
Yeah! Well, hi, Zoe!


Jim takes Zoe’s hand to shake it.


JIM (CONT’D)
My name’s Alfredo. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I…


Zoe laughs and pulls her hand away.


JIM (CONT’D)
What?

ZOE
No, it’s not.

JIM
Well, what is it?

ZOE
Daddy.


Zoe smiles at Jim, who returns it. He kisses his daughter on the forehead. Maddy then walks towards them.


MADDY
Okay, so it’s settled. Me and Zoe get this room, seeing as it’s bigger and we can squeeze another bed in.

ZOE
Can I see?

MADDY
Yeah.


Maddy and Zoe walk off to take a look at the bedroom. Josh walks to the bedroom that would be his.


JOSH
One big, happy family. Like nothing ever happened.

ELISABETH
What’s that supposed to mean?

JOSH
I guess we’re supposed to just forget about the last years we had to fend for ourselves ’cause Dad was in jail.

ELISABETH
Josh!

JIM
That’s enough!

JOSH
Admit it, Mom, it’s his own damn fault! If he hadn’t lost his cool and thrown a punch at that cop, he might have just gotten away with a fine. Have you ever thought about
that?

JIM
Hey! We’re not going to stand here and argue the past with you, okay? We’re starting over! As a family.

MADDY (O.S.)
Zoe? Has anybody seen Zoe? Where’d she go?

ELISABETH
I thought she was with you.

MADDY
She was. Zoe?

ELISABETH
Zoe?

MADDY
Zoe?


They all go to look for Zoe.

EXT. COLONY – DAY

Zoe is walking by the fence. She is looking at something above her. BRANCHES are falling to the ground. The thing she is looking at turns out to be a BRACHIOSAURUS, feeding on a tree behind the fence. Zoe picks up a fallen branch from the ground. She raises her hand, extending her arm towards the dinosaur to offer him the branch. The brachiosaurus sees her and chomps down on the green, much to Zoe’s happiness.

Maddy arrives in time to see Zoe holding another branch. She freezes in astonishment upon seeing the dinosaur. The brachiosaurus bites down on the branch in Zoe’s hands. She does not let go immediately, resulting in her being LIFTED OFF THE GROUND slightly. Jim and Elisabeth come there to find Zoe hovering below the giant dinosaur. Elisabeth gasps.


JIM
Zoe!


Zoe lets go of the branch and drops to the ground. Elisabeth and Maddy run towards the girl. Jim and Josh, who has also arrived, stand there, looking at the dinosaur, which continues to eat. Jim and Elisabeth share a look. A couple of other brachiosaurs are seen as some colonists walk towards the fence to take a look at them.

FADE OUT.

ACT THREE[]

FADE IN:

EXT. SHANNONS’ HOUSE – NIGHT

INT. SHANNONS’ HOUSE – NIGHT

Maddy is lying in her bed. Jim sits down next to her.


JIM
Good night, sweetheart.

MADDY
I’m really glad you’re home, Dad.


Jim strokes her affectionately and kisses her forehead.


MADDY (CONT’D)
Night.


Jim turns off the light in Maddy’s bedroom. He gets up and goes to stand in the doorway of Josh’s bedroom. Josh is lying on his bed, looking at a PHOTO which seems to be of him, Kara and another person.


JIM
Night.

JOSH
Yup.


Jim walks off, heading toward his and Elisabeth’s bedroom. Zoe is SLEEPING on their bed. Elisabeth is sitting next to her, stroking the girl’s hair. When she sees Jim, she gets up.


ELISABETH
She got used to sleeping in my room. And it seems we’ve run out of beds.

JIM
Luckily, there’s a couch.

ELISABETH
Right.


Jim gives Elisabeth a KISS, then pulls away. Elisabeth looks at him and kisses him again. She then takes a step back.


JIM
The answer’s yes. We did do the right thing, coming here.


The two of them smile at each other. Elisabeth then draws the CURTAIN, separating them. Jim’s shadow can be seen on the curtain as he walks towards the couch.

INT. SHANNONS’ HOUSE – DAY

Josh is inspecting a GLASS filled with milkish LIQUID. Maddy is holding another glass like that, half‑empty.


JOSH
You’re telling me this is all we can have for the next three days?

MADDY
Did you not read any of the literature they gave us? Real food has all these enzymes are bodies aren’t used to yet. And besides, it’s really not that bad.


Elisabeth is getting Zoe dressed.


ZOE
I don’t want to go to orientation. I want to stay with you.

ELISABETH
Mummy has a brand new job she has to go to. And Maddy and Josh are going to go to orientation, so you can go with them, okay?


Jim walks into the room.


JIM
You guys used up all hot water.
(to Maddy)
Thanks.

MADDY
No, the solar panels can only heat up so much at a time.

JOSH
Blame it on the sun if you want.


Maddy drinks a little from her glass. It leaves a milk mustache above her lips. Jim gestures above his only lip to let her know. Maddy wipes off only a small amount of it.

EXT. COLONY – DAY

The Shannons are walking together.


MADDY
Agricultural department, a quarter mile that way, Dad.

JIM
Wait…

MADDY
And…

JIM
…that way?

MADDY
…the clinic should be right here.

JIM
Are you sure? All right, I better go. That’s… Okay. Have a good time!


Jim walks off.


ELISABETH
(to Zoe)
Okay, now, you, no more wandering off, okay? Okay.
(to Maddy)
So see you when you’re done.

MADDY
Yeah.

ELISABETH
Have fun!

ZOE
Bye!


Elisabeth walks away, leaving Josh, Maddy and Zoe alone.


MADDY
Okay, so we should be meeting at the south end. Come on.


Maddy notices something nearby and runs up to it. Josh and Zoe walk after her.


MADDY (CONT’D)
No way! I can’t believe it!

JOSH
Can’t believe what?


It is revealed that the thing they are looking at is the PROBE. Zoe goes to examine its stand, noticing that numerous people have carved their names into it.


JOSH (CONT’D)
What is it?

MADDY
You’ve got to be joking. It’s the probe! You know, the one they sent through when they first discovered the time fracture. How can you not know that?

JOSH
I was having a life, Maddy.

MADDY
No one knew at first how far back the fracture went or even where it led to. They sent this back with a beacon inside so that, you know, they could find it however many millions of years later. Only they never did.

JOSH
Huh?

MADDY
That’s how they knew that they were dealing with a new time stream.

JOSH
Whatever, Maddy.

MADDY
Whatever? Okay, Josh, you do realize that if we were in the same time stream, then something like, I don’t know, just stepping on a butterfly could change everything. Like, for example, us never being born.

ZOE
Can I scratch my name on it like everybody else has?

JOSH
Yeah, go ahead, Zoe. Mark it up! Okay, I’m out of here.


While Zoe begins to carve her name into the stand with a piece of stone, Josh starts to walk away.


MADDY
Where are you going?

JOSH
To get some real food. I’m starving.

MADDY
What about orientation?

JOSH
I can explore on my own, Maddy.

MADDY
Josh!

JOSH
Look after Zoe!

MADDY
Ugh.


Josh leaves.

EXT. COLONY – DAY

Jim is walking alongside ARTHUR CHANG.


CHANG
Let’s keep it simple. Why don’t you, uh, give us a hand with some weeding?

JIM
Weeding? Yeah. I think I can handle that.


Jim smiles.


CHANG
Good. Yeah, this place needs a whole lot upkeep…


Jim looks in the same direction as Chang, and his smile promptly freezes.


CHANG (CONT’D)
I’ll leave you to it.


Chang walks away. It is revealed they were looking at giant weeding growing on the colony’s fence.


JIM
Okay.


EXT. FENCE – DAY

A sequence of Jim cutting the weeding on the fence is shown. At one point, Jim wipes sweat off his forehead. He appears shirtless in the next shot. Afterwards, a giant CENTIPEDE is seen crawling on the fence, straight toward him. Jim feels it crawling on his hand. When he sees the centipede, his eyes widen. He removes his hand and loses balance. Screaming, he FALLS off the fence to the ground. Two PEOPLE walk by, looking at him.


JIM
I’m okay! I’m okay! Just a bug. No worries. Okay. Just a, just a bug.


Jim is shown cutting the weeding again. He finishes cutting off a piece and is then shown sitting on the top pole of the fence. He throws his fists in the air victoriously, smiling.


JIM (CONT’D)
Yes!


EXT. COMMAND BASE – DAY

Commander Taylor is watching Jim through BINOCULARS.

EXT. MARKETPLACE – DAY

Josh takes a green SUGAR APPLE from a SALESWOMAN.


JOSH
Thanks.


Josh starts to walk off, examining the fruit. He tries to bite into the thick rind. He hears laughter and turns to see SKYE TATE standing nearby, looking at him.


JOSH (CONT’D)
Oh, this is funny to you? That’s how you get off, making fun of the new guy trying to eat fruit?


Skye comes closer to Josh.


SKYE
Here, give it to me.


Skye takes the sugar apple from him. She hits a pole with it, then separates it into two halves, revealing the white flesh with black seeds inside. She keeps one half and hands the other back to Josh.


SKYE (CONT’D)
Go ahead.


Josh bites down on the fruit. Clearly not liking it, he pulls a face.


JOSH
Oh!


Skye laughs at him.


SKYE
You’ll get used to it, I promise.

JOSH
I’ll take your word for it.


Josh turns to leave.


SKYE
Hey, what’s your name?


Josh stops, and turns back to face Skye.


JOSH
Josh.

SKYE
I’m Skye. Fifth pilgrimage.


They shake hands.


SKYE (CONT’D)
So you’re a recruit or lottery?

JOSH
Uh, my mom was recruited, so we all had to come.

SKYE
Most people count themselves lucky.


Josh turns his gaze down, and Skye nods in understanding.


SKYE (CONT’D)
You left somebody behind, huh?

JOSH
So what’s there to do around here, anyway?

SKYE
Well, depends on how close to the edge you like to walk.


Skye begins to walk away, giving Josh a look over her shoulder. He follows her.

INT. INFIRMARY – DAY

Elisabeth approaches a NURSE.


ELISABETH
Okay, bed one’s sedated and his wound’s sutured.

NURSE
Great.

FEMALE (O.S.)
Nurse, a hand over here, please!

NURSE
If you get a sec, could you check bed three’s oxygen?

ELISABETH
Okay.


The nurse walks away. Elisabeth goes to bed three, where a MALE PATIENT is sitting.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
Hi! I’m Doctor Shannon.


She picks up a plex that was plugged in the BIOBED and looks at it.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
Okay, so you came in complaining of nausea and a headache, right?

MALE PATIENT
The other doctor said I was hyper‑oxic, whatever that means.

ELISABETH
It means you’re not used to so much fresh air.


The patient groans.


MALE PATIENT
Can you unhook me, please? They said it’d only take a half hour, and it’s been at least that long already.

ELISABETH
Yeah, I don’t see an IV anywhere.


Elisabeth finds a giant LEECH on the patient’s back.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
Whoa!

MALE PATIENT
“Whoa”? Is that, is that a technical term?

ELISABETH
Sorry. Interesting! They must get id of the excess oxygen from the blood.

MALE PATIENT
Can you just get it off me?

ELISABETH
Yeah. Let me just… Oh. Hang on.


While the patient moans in pain, Elisabeth pulls the leech off.


ELISABETH (CONT’D)
There we go. All better.


EXT. COLONY – DAY

Skye and Josh are walking away from the marketplace. Jim walks by and sees Josh.


JIM
Josh.

JOSH
Dad.

JIM
You’re supposed to be at orientation. What are you doing? Josh, this is not how you start your first day.
(to Skye)
Would you excuse my son, please? There’s somewhere he needs to be.
(to Josh)
Let’s go.


Josh turns away from him, taking a step toward Skye.


JOSH
Come on.


Jim goes to take hold of Josh’s arm.


JIM
Hey, I told you…


Josh pulls away.


JIM (CONT’D)
Hey!

JOSH
You can’t just come back after all this time and start telling me what to do!


Jim and Josh stare at each other for a while.


JOSH (CONT’D)
(to Skye)
Let’s go.


Josh begins to walk away. Skye follows him. Jim keeps on staring at them.

FADE OUT.

ACT FOUR[]

FADE IN:

EXT. COLONY – DAY

Josh and Skye are walking down the street.


SKYE
So how bad are things in 2149?

JOSH
It’s funny, when it’s the only thing you know, it all seems so normal, but coming here makes you realize how bad things have gotten.

SKYE
I don’t really remember much. I was just a kid when we left. Oh, this is my place here.


Skye points at a house. HUNTER BOYCE is lying on a rock in front of it. TASHA GUZMAN walks out from the house, carrying a basket of oranges.


SKYE (CONT’D)
Hey, guys, this is Josh. He’s new.

TASHA
Welcome to Terra Nova! I’m Tasha. That’s Hunter.


Tasha puts down the basket. Hunter picks up an orange.


HUNTER
How you doing, fresh?


Hunter throws the orange to Josh.


JOSH
So far, so good! So this is all your guys’ place?

SKYE
Yeah. Us and one other, Max.

JOSH
And your parents?

HUNTER
Mine live just up that way. Why?

JOSH
I mean, it’s your own place. Aren’t you only, like, 16?

TASHA
So? I mean, we work. We have jobs.

HUNTER
Yeah, this is the frontier, son. You got to grow up quick.

SKYE
Yeah, you got the whole Taylor welcome speech, didn’t you? We’re the new dawn of civilization.


MAX POPE comes.


HUNTER
How was the office, sweetheart?

MAX
Not bad. We finished another hydro‑turbine today. Who’s the fresh?

JOSH
Name is Josh.

MAX
Max. Glad to meet you.
(to Skye, Hunter and Tasha)
It’s so hot. Who’s up for a little OTG?

SKYE
Yes!

TASHA
On foot? No way.

HUNTER
Well, guess who started repair‑dock duty this week.

SKYE
Great. Okay. We’ll meet you guys in the usual spot in 20?

TASHA
Yeah.
(to Josh)
OTG on your first day. I mean, that’s got to be a record.


Hunter, Tasha and Max walk off. Skye walks away, taking Josh with her.

EXT. COLONY – DAY

Jim and Elisabeth are sitting near the marketplace. They both are holding glasses with the milkish liquid. They CLINK.


JIM
To us. We actually made it.

ELISABETH
I had my doubts for a minute there.

JIM
Mmm.


They both drink a little of the liquid. Jim pulls a face and Elisabeth lets out a laugh.


JIM (CONT’D)
Wow. So how is your day going?

ELISABETH
Well, I practiced some neo‑medieval medicine, and I tended to a thief.

JIM
A thief?

ELISABETH
Mmm. That’s what they told me. Why?

JIM
Well, it’s just, why would anyone steal anything here? Everyone’s pretty much provided for.

ELISABETH
Who knows? But guess what.

JIM
What?

ELISABETH
It’s not your problem. You’re not a cop anymore. So what’s this about Josh skipping orientation?

JIM
I don’t know. He just… blew it off. I mean, I, I can’t say I’m surprised.

ELISABETH
Oh, no, I can’t say I am, either. You know what? We shouldn’t be too hard on him. He’s been through a lot.

JIM
We all have. That doesn’t excuse him getting out of line with me.

ELISABETH
He really missed you, you know that. Just give him some time, okay? He’ll come around.

JIM
I just worry about him, that’s all. He has this knack for finding trouble.


EXT. COLONY – DAY

Skye and Josh are running between CONTAINERS towards the fence.


JOSH
Where are we going?

SKYE
Stay close.


Skye stops next to the fence. Josh looks around, confused.


JOSH
Okay?

SKYE
Y‑You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.

JOSH
Out there? You’re kidding, right?

SKYE
The only way to find out is to come with.


Skye CRAWLS under the fence to the other side.


SKYE (CONT’D)
There. No big deal. You coming or not?


Skye walks off. Josh crawls under the fence as well and runs after her.

EXT. JUNGLE – DAY

Skye and Josh come to a ROVER where Hunter, Tasha and Max are waiting for them.


HUNTER
Skye! Damn. Come on. We were about to leave without you.

SKYE
Ah, hell you were, Hunter.

HUNTER
(to Josh)
Get ready to go OTG, fresh.

JOSH
(to Skye)
OTG?

SKYE
Outside the gates.


Skye playfully raises her eyebrows and smiles at Josh. They get in the vehicle.

EXT. TOP OF THE SNAKEHEAD FALLS – DAY

Max, Tasha, Hunter and Skye are walking with Josh going behind them.


SKYE
Who’s up for the shortcut?

HUNTER
No way, Skye. We’ll meet you there.

SKYE
(to Josh)
Keep up!

JOSH
I’m trying.


Max, Tasha and Hunter keep on walking. A loud SCREECH is heard. Josh turns in its direction.


SKYE
It’s just a howler. It sounds a lot worse than they actually are.


Standing at the edge of the waterfall, Skye takes off her tank top. Wearing only a swimsuit, she looks at Josh over her shoulder.


SKYE (CONT’D)
What, are you just going to stand there and watch?


Skye JUMPS down to the water, SCREAMING while she’s falling. Josh hears another SCREECH behind him. He steadies himself, then JUMPS down after Skye, SCREAMING as well. Skye swims towards him.


SKYE (CONT’D)
You think that was fun? You want to see something really cool?

JOSH
Cooler than that? Sure!

SKYE
All right. Come on!


EXT. BOTTOM OF THE SNAKEHEAD FALLS – DAY

Skye leads Josh toward some rocks.


SKYE
This way! Check it out.


Josh sees CALCULATIONS engraved on the rocks.


SKYE (CONT’D)
Found it when we were exploring. There’s more over there.


Josh goes in the direction Skye showed him. He sees more calculations there. He walks up to a rocky wall covered in even more calculations.


JOSH
What is it? Looks like some kind of geometry or something.

SKYE
I think they’re equations, but I can’t be sure. I, I can’t make heads or tails of it.

JOSH
Well, who did this?

SKYE
I don’t know. And why do it on a bunch of rocks?

JOSH
It doesn’t make any sense. It looks like it’s been here for a while. You tell Taylor about this place?

SKYE
No. We’re not even supposed to be out here. This whole area’s off‑limits. It’s like Taylor doesn’t want anyone to know about this. Um, don’t tell anybody about this, all right? You promise?


Josh nods.


SKYE (CONT’D)
Good.


Skye starts to walk away. Josh follows her.

FADE OUT.
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