Matter of Life and Death
a.k.a.
Definition
Second episode
(in production order) of
Y1.
Written by Johnny Byrne;
directed by Charles Crichton.
Note: Those two were the most prolific in their respective
roles in S19 series production.
This and
"The Metamorph" are the only episodes
they were both credited.
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Summary
Helena's husband,
Lee Russell, long thought lost on the
Astro 7 mission,
is found on board an initial Eagle expedition to a planet dubbed
Terra Nova.
There are doubts this is really Lee Russell,
especially as it becomes unclear what he even is,
giving strange medical readings, and being the apparent source
of intense electrical disturbances, one of which injures Helena.
He issues warnings not to settle the planet, then "dies"
(though it is unclear whether he was even alive in the usual sense).
Despite the warnings, a
second mission is sent to the planet,
and despite early promise, is soon totally beset by disaster,
but restored by a surprise second appearance of what Helena finds
out is (and was earlier in the episode) a sort of 'reflection' of
the former Lee Russell.
He restores all that she lost minutes before,
and attempts to settle Terra Nova end.
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Details
- First expedition never landed?
Comments
- Was this really written to be the second episode of the series?
Some of the Quotes listed here (some adapted from The Catacombs)
seem to hint at prior post-Breakaway events,
like there may have been prior expeditions,
and/or development between
John and Helena.
Perhaps there are other such hints.
I keep this listed in the production order, however,
even though I have doubts this makes sense, storywise.
Quotes
- Parks, on good initial readings of Terra Nova:
"Sir, you're not going to believe this,
but I think we've made it this time."
[Have there been prior expeditions?
Also see Comments above.]
- Koenig, as he lay dying in front of Helena:
"Helena.... We... we almost made it. You and... and I...."
[Has a romantic relationship already developed?
Or is this some quiet 'love at first sight' hope that
he simply expresses as he lay dying?
Also see Comments above.]
