The next generation of Gua warriors is about to be set loose – unless Cade can destroy the prototype.
(U.S. premiere August 20, 2000)
| Nostradamus Says |
In a city risen from blue-gray ash
Gladiators vie for bloodstained glory.
The fabric of man undergoes lethal alchemy,
A patron of his own destruction.-- Quatrain 63, Century 9 |
Written by Michael Thoma
Directed by Alex Pappas
GUEST STARS
 |
 |
 |  | More Stories |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|  | Related Links |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
Paul Eckstein – Omar Healy
Barbara Tyson – Dr. Mira Rubin
Andrew Airlie – Dr. Vern Galloway
Rae – Brenda James
WHAT HAPPENED
A cell divides. Two Gua scientists watch its progress as it grows into a fetus and then an adult.
Their latest gene sequence has failed, though. The prototype husk body is a distorted monster, and they will need more samples to continue their tests.
Dr. Vern Galloway apologizes to the monster. Then he shoots it dead. (
spoilers)
ANALYSIS
Rule #312B of series television: if the teaser or Act I begin at a boxing ring, it’s a cinch the hero will be putting his dukes up in Act IV.
"Gladiator" doesn’t break this rule, but it does bend it a little –
Cade does go into the ring with the X-15, but the latest model in Gua warriors has him hopelessly outmatched. Only Healy’s sacrifice, Eddie’s intervention and a convenient sharp implement save the day.
That said, let's give the First Wave team some credit for both avoiding the most obvious cliché and underscoring just how tough the X-15 was. Cade usually has his hands full dealing with one normal warrior, which means the improved version should be too much for him.
Maintaining that distinction is important. Most of the Gua are so conveniently dimwitted – witness the guard who doesn’t watch his back this week – that First Wave would lose all its suspense if they were physically weaker than Cade.
Otherwise, "Gladiator" is a run-of-the-mill show with one big surprise at the end. The Gua have had opportunities to get genetic samples from Cade as recently as
last week, but Rae is the first Gua scientist to consider the uses of his DNA.
Like the arrest of
Joshua in "Rubicon", this development sets up interesting possibilities for the rest of the season. The season finale – which airs on SCI FI on September 24 – is titled "The Believers"; how much havoc could a clone of Cade Foster wreak among them?
WHAT WE LEARN
The Gua genome is more complex than the human genome.
Cade saw a wanted poster of himself in Atlanta. He feels his pursuit is getting closer.
The Gua were able to correct their vulnerability to salt in the X-15, though the technique has probably been lost with the prototype.
Those nefarious aliens now have a sample of Cade’s DNA.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Why weren’t there any Gua observing X-15’s battle with Healy and Cade? Was there something really good on TV?
What will the Gua do with that DNA sample?
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK
He’s the only Gua with two brain cells to rub together, and he’s on our side. But what will happen to our favorite Gua in "The Trial of Joshua Bridges"?
Do you watch
First Wave? Send your comments to the editor.
advertisement
