First Wave
Encyclopedia
First Wave is a Canadian/American
science fiction
television series, filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
, that aired from 1998 to 2001 on the Sci-Fi Channel
. The show was created by Chris Brancato, who co-wrote an early version of the script for the seminal X-Files
episode "Eve". Francis Ford Coppola
was executive producer
on the show. In an unusual move, the Sci-Fi Channel picked up the series on a 66-episode contract. The show was subsequently canceled once the contract expired at the end of the third season due to disappointing ratings.
have identified him as subject 117 in an experiment to test human resilience. As part of this experiment, his life is systematically ruined, including the murder of his wife, for which he is framed. He is the only one of the 117 subjects to solve the riddles of the experiment and escape arrest to live as a fugitive. The Gua are among humans in the form of hybridised genetic clones and plan to enslave humanity—the first of three “waves” intent on conquering and finally destroying the human race. Constantly pursued by the police, and a strange government agency called the Illuminati, Foster discovers previously unknown quatrains of Nostradamus
, which tell of three waves which will destroy the planet unless the “twice-blessed man” can stop them. For this reason, Foster investigates strange occurrences which may have ties to the Nostradamus quatrains, hoping to find what he needs to stop the Gua.
"Crazy" Eddie Nambulous is a computer hacker who helps Cade Foster and works on a web tabloid Paranoid Times. He uses Cade’s journal to tell people that the "aliens are here, walking among us, laying the groundwork for an impending invasion." After scanning the prophecies of Nostradamus into his computer, he analyzes and cross-references the quatrains with bizarre current events to which they may be connected. Foster and Eddie use these quatrains to understand the Gua invasion and search for any and all tools that may aid them in stopping the invasion in its First Wave.
One of the Gua, Joshua, does not believe the invasion of Earth is necessary. Although he wants the best for his people, he helps Cade and Eddie stop his people from initiating the “Second Wave” — the invasion itself, in which 19 million people will die.
The Gua are a race older than humanity, coming from a much older star system. As Joshua tells Cade, “Everything on my planet is red, the colour of a tired sun — the colour of death” which indicates that their home system is at a much later stage in its lifespan than our own, and that the sun is entering a late phase of its life. The Gua originally existed peacefully, exploring their inner selves until they were invaded and enslaved. Eventually, they rose up and overthrew their oppressors, taking the name Gua from that climactic, defining event; Gua meaning “power to overcome”.
As a consequence of this invasion, the newly-named Gua decided they could no longer afford to be passive and peaceful, and set out on an aggressive, expansionist path. Aware of the limited lifespan of their home planet
, they began a campaign to expand into other systems. Thus their invasion of Earth
was planned.
Due to the distance between Earth and their own planet, the Gua devised a method of dispatching small metallic orbs containing their consciousnesses through wormholes to Earth and transferring them into specially bioengineered human husks. As a result of this, it is unknown what the Gua actually look like.
These husks contain small amounts of Gua DNA
that provide the aliens with an increased rate of healing, strength, speed and intelligence. The husks dissolve and disappear completely when the aliens are killed. The aliens in these husks are tasked with preparing the planet for the Second Wave. While being held hostage by Cade, Joshua noted that he was in his “third body”; this is further elaborated when Joshua states that the average Gua life-span is “equal to 1,000 human years”.
In the third season, Joshua reveals that at least one other race had been conquered and exterminated by the Gua centuries prior. Apparently, some members of that race had precognitive abilities; it is revealed that the being later known as Nostradamus was a member of this race. He journeyed to Earth and used his precognitive abilities to leave behind the prophesies that would help Cade resist the Gua.
It has been established that the Gua communicate telepathically and have sensory abilities far more advanced than a human. This is due largely to the fact that from birth the Gua undergo a continuous metamorphosis, making the issue of identifying one individual Gua from another impossible. As a result, they have developed a sophisticated array of senses that can be used to rightfully identify other Gua. It has also been established that a Gua can at least sense the presence of another Gua from a distance without making contact.
The Gua have on numerous occasions demonstrated a very totalitarian culture and nature that limits their empathic abilities. Their sexual nature is one where intercourse is severely painful and partners are chosen out of genetic capabilities. Their culture is based on racial unity, where society is superior and individuals have no value. Several Gua have experienced guilt and even rebelled after realizing the horror they have committed on themselves and other races. As a result, many of them have been killed by their own as traitors.
Throughout the entire series, the Gua's most important weakness has been their lack of will, making them vulnerable when cornered or in emotional distress. They also proved (in human host form, at least) to have a weakness to salt — it affects them like a drug, rendering them ‘blissed out’ and may lead to addiction.
In episode 2.19, “The Trial of Joshua Bridges”, Joshua confirms his fury towards the totalitarian and despotic nature of the Gua, accusing Gua leaders of reducing the Gua to “primitive butchers”.
has released season 1 on DVD (uncut) in Region 1 (Canada only), for the very first time. They are playable on standard dvd players in the US.
Shout! Factory
announced First Wave: The Complete series and Seasons releases on DVD.
and Karen Holmes published in June 2000
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series, filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, that aired from 1998 to 2001 on the Sci-Fi Channel
Sci Fi Channel (United States)
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
. The show was created by Chris Brancato, who co-wrote an early version of the script for the seminal X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
episode "Eve". Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
was executive producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
on the show. In an unusual move, the Sci-Fi Channel picked up the series on a 66-episode contract. The show was subsequently canceled once the contract expired at the end of the third season due to disappointing ratings.
Plot
Former thief turned security specialist Kincaid Lawrence "Cade" Foster’s life was idyllic, with a beautiful wife, good job and a nice house. Unbeknownst to him, a race of extraterrestrials called the GuaGua (First Wave)
The Gua are an alien race that infiltrated humanity in the science fiction TV series First Wave.They attempted to conquer the planet in three waves with the first being the initial infiltration, the second the military invasion and the final third wave leading to Armageddon that would scour the...
have identified him as subject 117 in an experiment to test human resilience. As part of this experiment, his life is systematically ruined, including the murder of his wife, for which he is framed. He is the only one of the 117 subjects to solve the riddles of the experiment and escape arrest to live as a fugitive. The Gua are among humans in the form of hybridised genetic clones and plan to enslave humanity—the first of three “waves” intent on conquering and finally destroying the human race. Constantly pursued by the police, and a strange government agency called the Illuminati, Foster discovers previously unknown quatrains of Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Michel de Nostredame , usually Latinised to Nostradamus, was a French apothecary and reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that have since become famous worldwide. He is best known for his book Les Propheties , the first edition of which appeared in 1555...
, which tell of three waves which will destroy the planet unless the “twice-blessed man” can stop them. For this reason, Foster investigates strange occurrences which may have ties to the Nostradamus quatrains, hoping to find what he needs to stop the Gua.
"Crazy" Eddie Nambulous is a computer hacker who helps Cade Foster and works on a web tabloid Paranoid Times. He uses Cade’s journal to tell people that the "aliens are here, walking among us, laying the groundwork for an impending invasion." After scanning the prophecies of Nostradamus into his computer, he analyzes and cross-references the quatrains with bizarre current events to which they may be connected. Foster and Eddie use these quatrains to understand the Gua invasion and search for any and all tools that may aid them in stopping the invasion in its First Wave.
One of the Gua, Joshua, does not believe the invasion of Earth is necessary. Although he wants the best for his people, he helps Cade and Eddie stop his people from initiating the “Second Wave” — the invasion itself, in which 19 million people will die.
History of the Gua
We were like you once. There’s a time for peace and inner-growth, but we became complacent; and when the invasion force landed, they took us down. One rebel led us to freedom. That’s when we took the name Gua — it means “power to overcome”. Over the centuries, science and industry achieved perfect focus. We created a military machine to ensure our freedom, permanently. ... We’re here because we’ll never be victims again.”
- — Joshua Bridges, episode 1x09, “Joshua”
The Gua are a race older than humanity, coming from a much older star system. As Joshua tells Cade, “Everything on my planet is red, the colour of a tired sun — the colour of death” which indicates that their home system is at a much later stage in its lifespan than our own, and that the sun is entering a late phase of its life. The Gua originally existed peacefully, exploring their inner selves until they were invaded and enslaved. Eventually, they rose up and overthrew their oppressors, taking the name Gua from that climactic, defining event; Gua meaning “power to overcome”.
As a consequence of this invasion, the newly-named Gua decided they could no longer afford to be passive and peaceful, and set out on an aggressive, expansionist path. Aware of the limited lifespan of their home planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
, they began a campaign to expand into other systems. Thus their invasion of Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
was planned.
Due to the distance between Earth and their own planet, the Gua devised a method of dispatching small metallic orbs containing their consciousnesses through wormholes to Earth and transferring them into specially bioengineered human husks. As a result of this, it is unknown what the Gua actually look like.
These husks contain small amounts of Gua DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
that provide the aliens with an increased rate of healing, strength, speed and intelligence. The husks dissolve and disappear completely when the aliens are killed. The aliens in these husks are tasked with preparing the planet for the Second Wave. While being held hostage by Cade, Joshua noted that he was in his “third body”; this is further elaborated when Joshua states that the average Gua life-span is “equal to 1,000 human years”.
In the third season, Joshua reveals that at least one other race had been conquered and exterminated by the Gua centuries prior. Apparently, some members of that race had precognitive abilities; it is revealed that the being later known as Nostradamus was a member of this race. He journeyed to Earth and used his precognitive abilities to leave behind the prophesies that would help Cade resist the Gua.
It has been established that the Gua communicate telepathically and have sensory abilities far more advanced than a human. This is due largely to the fact that from birth the Gua undergo a continuous metamorphosis, making the issue of identifying one individual Gua from another impossible. As a result, they have developed a sophisticated array of senses that can be used to rightfully identify other Gua. It has also been established that a Gua can at least sense the presence of another Gua from a distance without making contact.
The Gua have on numerous occasions demonstrated a very totalitarian culture and nature that limits their empathic abilities. Their sexual nature is one where intercourse is severely painful and partners are chosen out of genetic capabilities. Their culture is based on racial unity, where society is superior and individuals have no value. Several Gua have experienced guilt and even rebelled after realizing the horror they have committed on themselves and other races. As a result, many of them have been killed by their own as traitors.
Throughout the entire series, the Gua's most important weakness has been their lack of will, making them vulnerable when cornered or in emotional distress. They also proved (in human host form, at least) to have a weakness to salt — it affects them like a drug, rendering them ‘blissed out’ and may lead to addiction.
In episode 2.19, “The Trial of Joshua Bridges”, Joshua confirms his fury towards the totalitarian and despotic nature of the Gua, accusing Gua leaders of reducing the Gua to “primitive butchers”.
Cast
- Sebastian SpenceSebastian SpenceSebastian Spence is an actor who played the lead role as Cade Foster in the TV series First Wave.Spence is the son of the late playwright Michael Cook and playwright and actress Janis Spence...
as Cade Foster - Rob LaBelleRob LaBelleRob LaBelle is an American film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.-Career:LaBelle has made appearances, many as a character actor, in dozens of film and television roles, most in the science-fiction genre, and is probably best known for his role as...
as Larry Pisinski a.k.a. “Crazy” Eddie Nambulous - Roger CrossRoger CrossRoger Cross is a Canadian contemporary actor who has made numerous appearances in several movies and TV series, mostly on productions shot in Canada...
as Joshua/Cain - Traci LordsTraci LordsTraci Lords , also known as Traci Elizabeth Lords and Tracy Lords, is an American film actress, producer, film director, writer and singer...
as Jordan Radcliffe (season three)
Crew
- Mike Rohl
- Holly DaleHolly DaleHolly Dale is a Canadian film and television director and film producer. She received a Gemini Award in 2008 for Best Direction in a Dramatic Series ....
(6 episodes, 1999-2000) - Brenton SpencerBrenton SpencerBrenton Spencer is a Canadian film and television director. His television credits include Earth: Final Conflict, Andromeda, 21 Jump Street, Mutant X, Poltergeist: The Legacy, Sanctuary, Stargate Atlantis and among other series. His film credits include Blown Away starring Corey Haim, Corey...
(4 episodes, 1998) - Ken GirottiKen GirottiKen Girotti is a Canadian television director. He was nominated for a 2006 Gemini Award in the category "Best Direction in a Dramatic Series" for the TV series ReGenesis.He has directed three or more episodes of:* Supernatural...
(4 episodes, 2000-2001) - Shawn LevyShawn LevyShawn Adam Levy is a Canadian-American actor, director and producer who directed the comedy films Big Fat Liar, Just Married, Cheaper by the Dozen, The Pink Panther, Night at the Museum, Date Night, and the sci-fi movie Real Steel...
(2 episodes, 1998-1999) - Bill Corcoran (2 episodes, 2000-2001)
- Rob LaBelleRob LaBelleRob LaBelle is an American film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.-Career:LaBelle has made appearances, many as a character actor, in dozens of film and television roles, most in the science-fiction genre, and is probably best known for his role as...
(2 episodes, 2000) - Randy Cheveldave
- Graeme Lynch
- George MendelukGeorge MendelukGeorge Mendeluk is German-born Canadian film, television director and writer.Throughout his career he has amassed a number of credits in film and television...
- Larry Sugar
- Daniel CeroneDaniel CeroneDaniel Howard Cerone is a television writer and producer. He wrote and produced episodes for the series Dexter, Charmed and The Mentalist. He created and produced the short-lived Dean Cain drama Clubhouse.-Biography:...
(11 episodes, 1998-2000) - William T. Conway (3 episodes, 2000-2001)
- Dan E. Fesman (2 episodes, 1998-1999)
- Harry Victor (2 episodes, 1998-1999)
- Chris BrancatoChris BrancatoChris Brancato is a Hollywood writer and producer of several films and television programs. Brancato grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and graduated from Teaneck High School. He subsequently attended and graduated from Brown University. He now lives in Los Angeles, California...
- Michael J. CinquemaniMichael J. Cinquemani-Positions held:"Brothers & Sisters"*Staff Writer: Seasons 4-5: 2009-2011"10 Things I Hate About You"*Staff Writer: Season 1: 2009All My Children*Script Writer: 2008General Hospital*Script Writer: 2003 - 2005*Script Coordinator: 2001 - 2003...
- Paul Brown
- Fergus Cook
- Michael RobisonMichael RobisonMichael Robison is a Canadian film and television director. Since the late 1980s, he has amassed a number of directorial credits namely 21 Jump Street, Tropical Heat, Poltergeist: The Legacy , The Outer Limits, First Wave, Earth: Final Conflict, Mysterious Ways, Jeremiah, Andromeda, The Dead...
- Andrea Stevens
- Michael Thoma
- David WilcoxDavid Wilcox (screenwriter)David Wilcox is an award nominated television writer and producer, best known for working on series such as Law & Order, Dragnet, the American remake of Life on Mars, and the FOX science fiction series Fringe.- Fringe :...
Season 1
- “Subject 117"
- "Crazy Eddie"
- "Mata Hari"
- "Hypnotic"
- "Elixir"
- "Speaking in Tongues"
- "Lungfish"
- "Book of Shadows"
- "Joshua"
- "Marker 262"
- "Motel California"
- "Breeding Ground"
- "Blue Agave"
- "Cul de Sac"
- "The Box"
- "Undesirables"
- "Second Wave"
- "Blind Witness"
- "Deluge"
- "Melody"
- "The Aftertime"
- "The Decision"
Season 2
- "Target 117"
- "Deepthroat"
- "The Apostles"
- "Susperience"
- "The Channel"
- "Red Flag"
- "Prayer for the White Man"
- "The Purge"
- "Lost Souls"
- "The Heist"
- "Ohio Players"
- "Night Falls"
- "Normal Illinois"
- "All about Eddie"
- "Playland"
- "The Harvest"
- "Rubicon"
- "Gladiator"
- "Trial of Joshua Bridges"
- "Underworld"
- "Tomorrow"
- "The Believers"
Season 3
- "Mabus"
- "Raven Nation"
- "Comes a Horseman"
- "Gulag"
- "The Flight of Francis Jeffries"
- "Still at Large"
- "Asylum"
- "Eyes of the Gua"
- "Skywatchers"
- "The Plan"
- "Wednesday’s Child"
- "Unearthed"
- "Shadowland"
- "Legacy"
- "The Edge"
- "The Vessel"
- "Requiem"
- "Checkmate"
- "Black Box"
- "Beneath the Black Sky"
- "Terminal City"
- "Twice Bless’d"
DVD release
On May 17, 2011, Alliance Home EntertainmentAlliance Films
Alliance Films is a major Canadian motion picture distribution/production company, which serves Canada, the United Kingdom, and Spain.-History:It was formed in 1984 by Stephen Roth, Denis Heroux, John Kemeny, Robert Lantos and Jay...
has released season 1 on DVD (uncut) in Region 1 (Canada only), for the very first time. They are playable on standard dvd players in the US.
Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2003 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
announced First Wave: The Complete series and Seasons releases on DVD.
| DVD Name | Ep# | Release Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 22 | May 17, 2011 |
Other media
First Wave: Subject 117 is a novel by Chris BrancatoChris Brancato
Chris Brancato is a Hollywood writer and producer of several films and television programs. Brancato grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and graduated from Teaneck High School. He subsequently attended and graduated from Brown University. He now lives in Los Angeles, California...
and Karen Holmes published in June 2000
2000 in literature
The year 2000 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* February 13 - Final original Peanuts comic strip is published...
.