Virtual Future (5 May 1995)

Jack Pierce has taken virtual reality to a new level. His mechanism somehow permits him brief glimpses into what will be - the future. A powerful man will give a lot to know the secrets of ... See full summary »

Director:

Joseph L. Scanlan

Writer:

Shawn Thompson

Stars:

Josh Brolin, Kelly Rowan, Bruce French

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Josh Brolin	...	Jack Pierce
Kelly Rowan	...	Isabelle Pierce
Bruce French	...	Wayne Fowler
David Warner	...	Bill Trenton
Joanna Piros	...	TV Interviewer
Mitchell Kosterman	...	FBI Agent
Dee Jay Jackson	...	Guard
Jennifer McDonell	...	Young Woman

Storyline

Jack Pierce has taken virtual reality to a new level. His mechanism somehow permits him brief glimpses into what will be - the future. A powerful man will give a lot to know the secrets of the future. As Jack learns more he realizes that his future isn't what he'd hoped it would be...

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Genres:

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

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Details

Release Date:

5 May 1995 (USA)

Company Credits

Did You Know?

Quotes

[last lines]
The Control Voice: Time is a river, winding steadily through the landscape of tomorrow. There are those who would steal a glimpse around the next bend and those who would fight the current, but the wisest are those who turn their eyes from the waters and seek out a fellow traveler to share in the journey.

User Reviews

Another technological device misappropriated

Jack Pierce (Josh Brolin), a brainy academic, prone to lucubration, ever committed to his work in robotics at Central State University, is offered employment by a corrupt billionaire tycoon named Bill Trenton (David Warner), an ambitious businessman and trailblazer within the VR community - "The man who invented the ratiocinative computer. The man who started CTY industries" (as well as the designer of an "optical neural net") - much to the chagrin of Jack's sweetheart, Isabelle (Kelly Rowan), who considers the accomplished fast-tracker (also Jack's mentor), to be of disreputable character, and who also worries that her wonk partner is spending too much time working, a preoccupation which she feels is starting to pose a threat to their relationship.

Virtual Reality's premise is a neat one, but instead of expanding upon it, the screenplay opts to go down the same old familiar road, illustrating how technology in the wrong hands can be used for evil purposes. (Nothing new.)

What is interesting is the idea that if we could see into the future, that we would also possess the means of altering it. Such a notion flies in the face of fatalism. Jungian theory is cited here, when Jack explains to his colleague, Wayne (Bruce French), how "the brain contains memories of past events, even ones we haven't yet experienced." Jack refers to the metaphysical concept as "genetic destiny."

With the help of Jack and Wayne's latest invention, a "telemetry suit," the two are given a glimpse into the impendent future – specifically, Jack's.

Once Bill Trenton is told of this remarkable advance, the episode proceeds along the aforementioned line.

British Columbia subs for Seattle.

With David Warner turning in a brilliant performance as the villain.