The title of this episode was inspired by the well-known
phrase, which is commonly associated with Charles Darwin's
theory of evolution by natural selection (though the phrase
itself was coined later, in 1864, by philosopher Herbert
Spencer in comparing his economic theories to Darwin's
theory of natural selection).
This episode is written as a multiple-point-of-view story,
common in many types of fiction. In a multiple-POV story,
the same events are recounted by two or more individuals and
the audience sees how the same events take on different
interpretations through the eyes of each individual through
perspective, knowledge, biases, human error, etc.
The text at the beginning of the episode reveals that the
cargo pod expedition has been away from the bio-dome for 8 days.
Dialog indicates the expedition is already 2 days past
failsafe on supplies.
Yale indicates that the group has picked up "mirage" signals
before, making them leery that the current signal is even
from an actual pod.
Danziger indicates that Eden Advance has been on the planet
for 117 days. But the time measurements in the previous
episode, "After the Thaw",
indicate it must actually be day 118 if they've been away
from the bio-dome for 8 days as previously stated.
After the expedition searches around the ruined cargo pod
for salvage, Morgan complains there's nothing, "Not even a
can of cold heat." This is likely a reference to something
similar to Sterno Canned Heat, a product sold in a tin can
since the early 20th Century that contains a denatured and
jellied alcohol for use as a mini camp stove or heat source.
After the DuneRail flips over and rolls down the hill,
landing on its side at 9:34 on the DVD, the top front wheel
is not spinning, but the next instant, in the following shot,
it is.
Immediately after Yale and Walman arrive at the DuneRail
crash site at about 13:02 on the DVD, notice that we hear
the humming of the Mag-Pro rifle, and Yale turns it off. The
indication that the weapon was still powered on as it lay
there ties into the events that come to light as the
survivors reluctantly relate their story of survival.
At 15:29 on the DVD, True is building a stone wall. It's not
stated why, probably just something to do to wile away the
time waiting for the expedition led by her father to return.
At 30:04 on the DVD, notice that Zero is stationed in a
position where he can watch the movements of the Grendler
who is watching the camp.
Memorable Dialog
half-rations.wav
it's got to be unanimous.wav
I'll be the first.wav
have you ever seen anyone starve to death.wav
dead weight.wav
blast our way across the planet.wav
these same feelings we hold so essential to humankind.wav
Back to Earth 2
Episode Studies
