|
Alphas: Season 1, Episode 8A Short Time in Paradise (29 Aug. 2011)Dr, Rosen is forced to challenge his most cherished values when he encounters an alpha leading a personality cult who sincerely wants to create a paradise for all humanity, a dream his ... See full summary » Director:John F. Showalter |
| 0Share... |
Share this Rating
Title: A Short Time in Paradise (29 Aug 2011)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
People who liked this also liked...
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
(2008–2009)
Action
|
Sci-Fi
|
Thriller
Stars:
Lena Headey,
Thomas Dekker,
Summer Glau
Threshold
(TV Series 2005)
Action
|
Drama
|
Sci-Fi
Stars:
Carla Gugino,
Brian Van Holt,
Brent Spiner
Terminator Salvation
(2009)
Action
|
Drama
|
Sci-Fi
Director:
McG
Stars:
Christian Bale,
Sam Worthington,
Moon Bloodgood
Caprica
(2009–2010)
Action
|
Drama
|
Sci-Fi
Stars:
Eric Stoltz,
Esai Morales,
Paula Malcomson
V
(2009–2011)
Drama
|
Sci-Fi
|
Thriller
Stars:
Elizabeth Mitchell,
Morris Chestnut,
Joel Gretsch
District 9
(2009)
Action
|
Sci-Fi
|
Thriller
Director:
Neill Blomkamp
Stars:
Sharlto Copley,
Jason Cope,
Nathalie Boltt
Equilibrium
(2002)
Action
|
Drama
|
Sci-Fi
Director:
Kurt Wimmer
Stars:
Christian Bale,
Sean Bean,
Taye Diggs
Deep Impact
(1998)
Action
|
Drama
|
Sci-Fi
Director:
Mimi Leder
Stars:
Robert Duvall,
Téa Leoni,
Elijah Wood
Defiance
(TV Series 2013)
Action
|
Drama
|
Sci-Fi
Stars:
Grant Bowler,
Julie Benz,
Stephanie Leonidas
Babylon 5
(1994–1998)
Action
|
Adventure
|
Drama
Stars:
Jerry Doyle,
Mira Furlan,
Richard Biggs
Seven Days
(1998–2001)
Sci-Fi
|
Action
|
Drama
Stars:
Jonathan LaPaglia,
Don Franklin,
Justina Vail
Edit
Cast
| Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| David Strathairn | ... | ||
| Ryan Cartwright | ... | ||
| Warren Christie | ... | ||
| Azita Ghanizada | ... | ||
| Laura Mennell | ... | ||
| Malik Yoba | ... | ||
| Daniel Kash | ... | ||
| Garret Dillahunt | ... |
Jonas Englin
|
|
| Kathleen Gati | ... | ||
 |
Neil Girvan | ... |
Pastor
|
|
|
Ethan Hektor | ... |
Young Jonas
|
|
|
Dmitry Chepovetsky | ... |
Gil
|
| Maria Nahri | ... |
Sari Pirzad
|
|
| Peter DaCunha | ... |
Teddy
|
|
| Shiva Negar | ... |
Guest #1
|
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Dr, Rosen is forced to challenge his most cherished values when he encounters an alpha leading a personality cult who sincerely wants to create a paradise for all humanity, a dream his alpha ability may make possible. But as members of the alpha group fall under the cult leaders and he refuses to recognize he may be responsible for the illnesses among the cult members Dr. Rosen is forced to act... if he can. Written by David Foss
Certificate:
TV-14Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 August 2011 (USA) See more »Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
Color
Edit
Written by Youssef El Mejjad & Pat Jabbar
Performed by Kasbah Rockers
Courtesy of Barraka El Farnatshi Prod.
See more »
Did You Know?
Soundtracks
"Bedaoui Door Bell (Tronix Mix)"Written by Youssef El Mejjad & Pat Jabbar
Performed by Kasbah Rockers
Courtesy of Barraka El Farnatshi Prod.
See more »
If "Alphas" wants to make its mark as a successful TV series, and not just be thrown on the scrapheap as a "Heroes" wannabe that didn't cut the mustard, it had better improve the teleplay writing significantly after this disastrous episode. It was among the worst TV segments of any show I've seen all year.
To be harsh (and someone needs to give the "Alphas" staff a wakeup call before it's lights out time), it reminded me of the misguided turn that Irwin Allen cult classic VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA took in later seasons, now 45 years ago (ouch, we Baby Boomers are getting old!). Week after week I would tune in and witness the crew of the Seaview taken over by monsters or strange forces and the cast temporarily out of their minds, turning into evil bad guys.
In "Alphas", a preacher who is an alpha, uses his power to accomplish the same thing with most of our beloved cast, turning them into mindless, moronic slaves to his form of religious "bliss". It's up to Dr. Lee Rosen (solid but looking mighty quizzical David Straitharn, who I expected to step out of character any moment and ask for a rewrite) to save the day, nearly single-handed.
Comical counterpoint is lame, as Gary is a most unlikely "date" for Rachel who's attending a big party for her sister and needs a warm body to escort her, or mamma will inflict Mama Rose style matchmaker impositions on her. Subplot of Rachel using her powers (with an assist from Gary) to diagnose throat cancer in her dad and convince him to get treatment was maudlin and bathetic in the extreme.
Watching Staitharn squirm as he tries to talk the evil preacher out of his deadly mission was a distasteful experience, as the top-notch character actor deserves far better. Maybe John Sayles' flagging career will miraculously pick up and Straitharn can go back to serious acting; but of course when he signed up to star in a Syfy Channel series he knew the downside.
The formula plot line of a Jim Jones type of megalomaniacal religious nut seems irresistible to TV hacks, but I wish the "Alphas" team, particularly the producers and story editor, had thought twice and rejected this particular script. It wouldn't have played on a conventional show even without the supernatural add-on, but the gimmick of having the alpha preacher able to convert our heroes didn't wash. Director John Showalter, who's done fine work of late on many series ranging from "Supernatural" to "The Defenders", was faced with an insurmountable task of putting this garbage premise on film.