Genesis II

Genesis II is stunning sci-fi with an absorbing dilemma. A scientist (Alex Cord) volunteers for a suspended animation experiment, and due to an earthquake is buried. When he is finally excavated it is over 200 years in the future. He finds himself with the choice of joining one of the two factions left on future earth after nuclear war, both factions rather authoritarian in different ways. In ignorance, he chooses the wrong (worst) one and then has to figure out how to extricate himself and return to the original faction which found him (PAX). Mariette Hartley is wonderful as the manipulative beautiful mutant who cozens Dylan Hunt (Alex Cord) into joining the Terraneans. Cord makes a terrific hero, note particularly the scene of his defiance when commanded to repair the Terranean nuclear generator when he is tortured with a "stem", the Terranean pain-inducing taser. The contrast between the two factions is fascinating, with Dylan caught on the horns of a dilemma. Unlike most other stories of this kind, there is no way for Dylan to return to his past, he must live in his present on the best terms he can make.

Genesis II was made for CBS, who turned it down in favor of the Planet of the Apes series, with the thinking that a network could have only one science fiction show on its schedule at a time.

Planet Earth was made for ABC, and it wasn't a sequel, rather, the next episode of the same premise, with a new male lead and a lighter tone.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture's script was written to be an episode of Genesis II. (and was in turn, stolen from an older episode of Star Trek! (Earth satellite comes back looking for its maker))

Andromeda uses two of the characters' names (Dylan Hunt and Harper Smythe)though it has little to do with the original concept. By using the names I suppose the producers could call it "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda") I really wish they would have made a Genesis II series instead,

IMHO: I liked that Mariette Hartley was set up to be a recurring, love-interest/villain for Dylan. It could have been a good show, though I have to agree with the poster who said it probably would have only lasted one season. Still, 26 episodes would have been great to have.

Call me a geek, but I was 13 years old when I first saw this pilot, at a pre-release screening at a Star Trek convention.

It exhibits numerous elements characteristic of Roddenberry's finest, including a compelling premise, focus on recognizable human interactions, and some light, thoughtful humor: e.g. a reference to the teachings of "Saint Freud".

Sadly, it didn't have quite the kick of some of his better work, but rather plays like one of the weaker episodes of one of them. That is to say the story is pretty good, some of the characters display a potential for significant depth, but it drags a bit. I see it as kind of a "Star Trek - The Motion Picture", without the million dollar light show, or the established relationship with the characters that would have brought us back for Star Trek II no matter how excruciating it was.

It ain't easy maintaining the emotional pacing necessary for a "human adventure" while interspersing enough action (and scifi eye candy/gadgetry) to keep the plot moving. I thought it was not just watchable, but endearing in it's way... which is more than I could say for "Planet Earth"; which I thought came across as a rather superficial remake, dumbed down a bit for the masses.

An underrated film about social doom, typical of the 70s for this genre, yet permanently relevant. The budget was not huge, but the atmosphere is there. Mariette Hartley gives a beautifully subtle performance, and is perhaps in her most physically attractive and visually memorable role.

Unlike a lot of reviewers on here, I can't claim to have any sort of expectation for something that "Roddenberry" was involved in and all I have to say is that, if his other stuff is as full of massive plot holes and huge leaps of basic logic as this thing, then I think I'll pass. So, these guys thought it would be a good idea to build an underground network across massive fault lines (in California no less!) and not expect an earthquake? And how does this suspended animation contraption work again? You stick the guy in a massive Tupperware jar and what did he do for air for 150 years? And no one owns a gun in the future? This is never explained, nor is it explained how the "mutants" were able to subdue the humans to the degree they did in such a relatively short period of time (without guns!). So, they are twice as strong and have these stinger thing-ma-doohickeys? Big deal--they are drastically outnumbered and obviously not twice as smart, or they would have figured out their energy problem. And so on.

But don't get me wrong--this movie is entertaining as hell. Stupid, yes, but fun. Ending leaves a lot to be desired and they decided to skip a huge chunk of action where the hero rigs a nuclear warhead to explode and then escapes (not like anyone would want to watch that or anything), presumably to fit it into time constraints and save a buck or two. Pretty dumb stuff and bad overall, but I got some good laughs out of it and would watch again. Recommended.