Terra Nova (2011) — Character Map & Story Timeline

AI Narrative Summary

The season follows the Shannon family's move from a deteriorating Earth to a prehistoric colony, where family bonds, survival challenges, and security mysteries intersect.

Character Network — 7 Characters

• Jim Shannon (Jason O'Mara) — protagonist A police officer and the series' primary protagonist. Imprisoned for violating population control, he stows away to join...
• Dr. Elisabeth Shannon (Shelley Conn) — protagonist Jim's wife and a medical professional. She is selected to join the Terra Nova colony based on her medical expertise, bri...
• Skye (Allison Miller)
• Josh Shannon (Landon Liboiron) One of Jim and Elisabeth's three children. He travels to the Cretaceous period alongside his mother and older sister as...
• Maddy Shannon (Naomi Scott) One of Jim and Elisabeth's three children. She joins her mother at the colony, traveling through the temporal rift along...
• Zoe Shannon (Alana Mansour) The youngest daughter of Jim and Elisabeth. Jim assaults an official agent to protect her, which leads to his imprisonme...
• Commander Nathaniel Taylor (Stephen Lang) The leader of the Terra Nova colony. He oversees the settlement and is convinced by Jim's police expertise to allow him...

Key Relationships

• Jim Shannon → Dr. Elisabeth Shannon (Husband and wife) — Their marriage and shared commitment to their children form a central family bond.

  "The season describes Elisabeth as Jim's wife. Jim urges her to travel to Terra Nova with their children, and the family reunites there."

• Jim Shannon → Zoe Shannon (Father and daughter) — Jim's protective bond with Zoe is directly tied to the events that separate him from his family.

  "Zoe is identified as Jim and Elisabeth's youngest daughter. Jim's attempt to protect her from an official agent leads to his imprisonment, and he lat...

• Dr. Elisabeth Shannon → Zoe Shannon (Mother and daughter) — Elisabeth provides Zoe with comfort and care as her mother.

  "Zoe is identified as Elisabeth's youngest daughter. In Terra Nova, Elisabeth comforts Zoe when she misses school and wants to stay with her mother."

• Dr. Elisabeth Shannon → Maddy Shannon (Mother and daughter) — Elisabeth and Maddy share a parent-child bond within the Shannon family at the colony.

  "Maddy is identified as Dr. Elisabeth Shannon's child and travels with her to Terra Nova."

• Dr. Elisabeth Shannon → Josh Shannon (Mother and son) — Elisabeth brings Josh with her to the colony and is part of his family unit there.

  "Josh is identified as Dr. Elisabeth Shannon's child and travels with her to Terra Nova."

• Jim Shannon → Maddy Shannon (Father and daughter) — Jim is Maddy's father and makes the journey to Terra Nova to be with his family.

  "Maddy is identified as Jim and Elisabeth's child. Jim reunites with his family in Terra Nova."

• Jim Shannon → Josh Shannon (Father and son) — Jim is Josh's father and a member of the family Jim risks imprisonment to rejoin.

  "Josh is identified as Jim and Elisabeth's child. Jim reunites with his family in Terra Nova and spends time with them there."

• Josh Shannon → Maddy Shannon (Siblings) — They are siblings within the Shannon family and make the journey to Terra Nova together.

  "Josh and Maddy are both identified as Jim and Elisabeth's children and travel to Terra Nova with their mother."

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Season 1: Separation and Arrival

Earth's deteriorating conditions and population-control laws threaten the Shannon family. Jim is imprisoned, and the family is separated before he joins them in Terra Nova.

Season 1: Colony Under Threat

The colony faces a Pterosaur attack and dangers in the surrounding wilderness. Jim's investigations and Elisabeth's medical work connect family life with the settlement's survival.

Season 1: New Mysteries

The Shannons offer shelter to a frightened runaway, while researchers study an object connected to Mira that appears to respond to DNA. A meteor brings further danger to the colony.

Season 1: Personal and Political Strains

Taylor's painful history with his missing son surfaces in conversation with Jim. Meanwhile, questions about the Sixers and communication with 2149 deepen the colony's suspicions.

Season 1: The Mole Investigation

Taylor leaves Jim in charge while warning him about a possible spy. As the Eleventh Pilgrimage approaches, the investigation points toward secret access to a relay station.