Character Relationship Map: Terra Nova

Characters

• Jim Shannon (played by Jason O'Mara) — protagonist

  A police officer and the series' primary protagonist. Imprisoned for violating population control, he stows away to join his family at the Cretaceous colony. He leverages his police expertise to gain...

• Dr. Elisabeth Shannon (played by Shelley Conn) — protagonist

  Jim's wife and a medical professional. She is selected to join the Terra Nova colony based on her medical expertise, bringing her two older children with her. She serves as a key figure in the colony'...

• Skye (played by Allison Miller) — supporting
• Josh Shannon (played by Landon Liboiron) — supporting

  One of Jim and Elisabeth's three children. He travels to the Cretaceous period alongside his mother and older sister as part of the initial pilgrimage to the Terra Nova colony.

• Maddy Shannon (played by Naomi Scott) — supporting

  One of Jim and Elisabeth's three children. She joins her mother at the colony, traveling through the temporal rift alongside her brother Josh.

• Zoe Shannon (played by Alana Mansour) — supporting

  The youngest daughter of Jim and Elisabeth. Jim assaults an official agent to protect her, which leads to his imprisonment before he stows away to join his family in the past.

• Commander Nathaniel Taylor (played by Stephen Lang) — supporting

  The leader of the Terra Nova colony. He oversees the settlement and is convinced by Jim's police expertise to allow him into the administration. He is also the estranged father of Lucas, who collabora...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• 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."

• Jim Shannon → Commander Nathaniel Taylor (Colony leader and trusted officer) — Taylor comes to rely on Jim's investigative skills and entrusts him with responsibility for the colony.

  "Taylor recognizes Jim's police expertise, allows him into the administration, and later leaves him in charge while warning him about a suspected spy....

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Commander Nathaniel Taylor → Skye (Protective friendship) — Taylor shows personal concern for Skye and offers to accompany her to a place connected to her loss.

  "Taylor speaks with Skye about the anniversary of her parents' deaths and promises they can visit Memorial Field when he returns."

Story Analysis

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.

Plot Progression

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.