Earth: Final Conflict: Dream Stalker

People are dreaming of killing and the event coming true, so when Renee is the next to be accused, Liam investigates.

This is possibly the emptiest episode of Earth: Final Conflict. The plot is merely repeated over and over (someone goes to sleep, they dream of murder, someone dies, they get locked up) until Liam solves the mystery. Of course, the only survivor of an attack is Da'an, when Sandoval is believed to have attacked him on the mothership. This doesn't prove anything, sadly, as Da'an is no more aware of who really attacked him than any of the others may have been, so the whole thing is just an excuse to put Sandoval in difficulty, use a neat effect on Da'an and give Zo'or the chance to punish his wayward minion. Sandoval is far too quick to offer Liam favours if he solves the case, too.

Aside from being repetitive, the story is also blindingly obvious. The killer picked up by the Volunteer squad is obviously not the right person, as it would be far too convenient and she's been so clearly made out to be a potential killer that it isn't likely to be her. And with her assistant the only one who's had access to the equipment. Well, quite why Renee and Liam are surprised is anyone's guess.

There is definitely a point trying to be made about how this time it's a human who's abused the technology, but it's such a non-concern that it's merely tacked on as an afterthought. Renee's fall during her escape from the killer is unusually well-handled, rather than her just getting up with a slight bruise, but the way she comes out of her coma is, conversely, way too quick. And how come the killer can fight and kill Renee at the same time? It seems odd that he doesn't lose his concentration.

Finally, at the end there's a scene showing Zo'or in possession of the dream-stalking technology. Well, lucky old him. He's got so many Taelon and human gadgets to play with now, it makes me wonder why he hasn't yet used any of them to further his aims. Is he just keeping a trophy cabinet or something?

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