A geneticist, Dr. Martin Nodel, is a researcher looking into introns, mysterious sections of DNA that he believes hold the secret to future evolutions. He develops a formula that he believes will activate them, and tests it on himself.
Opening narration[]
| “ | Perhaps we should ask ourselves: will the next leap of science be a step into the future, or a plunge into the abyss? | ” |
Plot[]
After developing a liquid that acts on the introns (genetic material in DNA that acts as spacers and does not code for protein), Dr. Nodel tests the liquid on himself. He begins experiencing strange symptoms, including a sort of map that grows on his back and a pattern that grows on his hand. Shortly after he begins looking for students that are suitable candidates. They have to have a high IQ, never had surgery, and are free from imperfections such as tattoos or glasses. They also have to be in a certain age, weight, and height range.
After finding the needed candidates, he reveals the map. The area is discovered to be a hidden military area not on any normal map and, along with Nodel's son and his girlfriend, the group travels to the area. Inside that area, is a spaceship-type device, with symbols matching the ones on the Doctor's hands. It activates, and a message from an apparent alien race is played back. The Doctor, and the students, decide to enter the ship on a journey to the home planet. Despite his son and son's girlfriend not qualifying, the Doctor says that they'd need someone like the two of them. The ship takes off.
Closing narration[]
| “ | The more we learn about the universe around us, the more we realize how little we truly know. But we will only find what wonders await us if no false walls are built around our explorers, and no false restraints applied to the unquenchable human thirst to know it all. | ” |
Notes[]
The story concludes in episode 23 of season 4, "The Origin of Species".
Cast[]
- Ron Rifkin as Dr. Martin Nodel
- Ryan Reynolds as Paul Nodel
- Ken Pogue as Dean Hardwick
- Andrew Johnston as DeWitt
- L. Harvey Gold as Dr. Greeson
- Scott Swanson as Reverend Leblanc
- William deVry as Ben
- Tara Spencer-Nairn as Heather
- Kathleen Duborg as Hope
- Edward Diaz as Derek
- Sara Johnson as Brittany
- Kirsten Alter as Sharon (as Kirsten Williamson)
- Terri Lynn Ibisoglu as Female Student
- Brent Fordham as Overweight Student
- Kirby Morrow as Kirby