Earth Final Conflict : Complete Season 1 [DVD]

This is the year that started the series, and is generally considered the best of the lot, both by those who liked the rest of the series, and those who disliked its later directions (I find myself somewhat in the latter category, but not dogmatically so).

The premise is that a race of aliens, named the Taelons, have come to Earth ostensibly to offer peace and technological exchange. Their technology cures almost all diseases, eliminates poverty and hunger, and causes a banding together of people in a new world order. However, there are those who mistrust the motives of the alien companions (and each major country has an ambassador known as 'the companion'), and an underground resistance has formed. In a rather interesting production decision, it is at this stage that we the viewers come into the story - we don't see the arrival or initial steps, but only the beginning of the rocky period.

One can look for parallels in history for this - were early colonisers, from Greek and Romans to modern nations, seen as invaders or friends? Even when the newcomers offered gifts and promises, things often worked differently.

In the first year of the series, the central character is William Boone (Kevin Kilner), a double-agent officially in service of the Taelon companions, but in reality a resistance agent. Supporting the resistance is the billionaire Jonathan Doors (David Hemblen), shuttle pilot Lili Marquette (Lisa Howard) and computer wizard Augur (Richard Chevolleau). On the Taelon side are Da'an (Leni Parker) and Zo'or (Anita LaSelva), served by their ever-present guardian and toadie Sandoval (Von Flores). The episodes in the first year explore the relationships of the Taelons to each other, to the human race in the present time and in prehistorical contacts, and the dynamics of a resistance that is not always sure of itself and a superior force torn between the decision of whether to collaborate or conquer.

The effects are very good at times, and standard television fare at others. The series as a whole suffers from the continuing loss of lead characters, but that had not yet become the mode of operation for the series during the first year.

Characters and developments are generally not outlandish: while many sci-fi shows will have a gadget-of-the-week which is never heard from again, season 1 E: FC on the whole avoids that particular pitfall. Characters also generally behave in a consistent (and sensible) way, which makes them more engaging, sympathetic and believable.

The special effects are exceptional for a first-time low(ish)-budget television production from 1997, though a few of the SFX shots do look quite dated in comparison to 2006 standards. Others still hold up very well.

The only slight gripe that I have is that you don't get a whole lot more than just the episodes. The strength of the episodes means that this is not much of a problem in the long run. It's very solid science-fiction, and tries not to patronise its audience or subject them to gung-ho action with be-catsuited women.