Patient Zero (23 Mar. 2001)

A Colonel goes back in time to poison a physician who unintentionally spread a global pandemic. When the traveler returns to the future, nothing has changed. Though haunted by the plague ... See full summary »

Director:

Mario Azzopardi

Writer:

John-Michael Maas

Stars:

Michael Rooker, Tanya Allen, Laurie Murdoch

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Michael Rooker	...	Colonel Beckett
Tanya Allen	...	Amy Barrett
Laurie Murdoch	...	Quisling
Gillian Barber	...	General
David Cubitt	...	Colonel Faber
Patrick McManus	...	Dr. Mandel
Myfanwy Meilen	...	Beckett's Wife
Karina Carreck	...	Nurse
Aaron Joseph	...	Basketball Kid
Kyra Azzopardi	...	Catherine
Bruce Campbell	...	Coffee Guy

Storyline

A Colonel goes back in time to poison a physician who unintentionally spread a global pandemic. When the traveler returns to the future, nothing has changed. Though haunted by the plague death of his own family, the Colonel is ordered to an earlier time, to assassinate a young woman carrier, plus the physician.

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Plot Keywords:

number in title

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Release Date:

23 March 2001 (Canada)

Company Credits

User Reviews

How far would you go?

Colonel Beckett comes from the near future, a time where mankind is on the brink of annihilation - the cause is a plague, which scientists have now determined the source of. He is sent back to our present, in order to prevent the outbreak... by killing Patient Zero. This goes into the themes of revenge, and the value of human life. Should a few people die to save millions? This does a great job of establishing the lead(and Rooker gives a really compelling performance, as the determined, tortured soldier on a mission), the stakes and the overall situation swiftly and smoothly, leaving room for development of him, as well as Amy(played charmingly by Allen), the woman he is there to take out. We find ourselves getting to like her, and it becomes difficult to accept that she has to go, even considering the gain. The acting in general is quite good. Characters(the focus is on the duo, though) are well-written, credible and likable. The FX are nicely done and minimally(and effectively) used. This is paced impeccably, it moves very fast(effortlessly is a fitting term for it) without it being confusing. Like the best episodes, it has a point(or perhaps rather an interesting question, up to the individual to answer for themselves) but it doesn't hammer it home. There is a little violence and strong, disturbing content in this. I recommend this to all fans of The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone. 8/10