The Resistance is on the verge of destruction after President Thompson declared martial law and the Taelons began to round up every person suspected of being in the organization. Trying to cope with the news that Lili Marquette has been killed, Liam and Augur must try to find the President's would-be assassin before the Resistance is blamed and wiped out.
The Earth: Final Conflict fan following is now split into three subsections. Those who loved Season One and hated Season Two, those who loved Season Two and didn't think much of Season One, and those who enjoyed both. With this opener for the third season, the task is to reunite everyone in loving the show again, and this episode is a damn good start.
Despite all it has to accomplish, such as concluding events from last season, writing out Lisa Howard, introducing a new regular and providing the odd bit of action inbetween, Crackdown succeeds superbly. Each character is given something to do as the pieces are once again shuffled around. Particularly good to see is the return of some conflict between the characters, as Sandoval's apparently forgotten duplicity makes a welcome return, Zo'or shows he knows more than he's willing to let on, and Liam goes it alone, proving he has brains to match his brawn. He also doesn't rely on his powers, which is good to see. Kincaid and Da'an have a brief but effective confrontation as well.
Best served by all this are Robert Leeshock, who looks a lot more comfortable in the role than he was last year, Von Flores, who gets more to do as Sandoval in the first ten minutes than he did for most of last season, and David Hemblen, as Doors' new alliance should allow him greater visibility this year. The end scene when Renee Palmer is introduced is excellent, showing that Doors is still working for the Liberation, but has simply changed tack as to who he will go about it. On top of this, President Thompson's new aide is a strong character who we will hopefully see more of, and Anita La Selva plays Zo'or superbly.
If the rest of the year can continue like this, fans should have nothing to worry about, as the next phase of the war between the Taelons and Earth begins. I honestly can't find a flaw in this one.
*****
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