The Sum of Its Parts
From The New Systems Commonwealth Wiki
Desire for life, for love,
for everything good.
And this is the source
of all suffering."
Outcast Consensus 17,
C.Y. 10942
The Sum of Its Parts is an episode from the first season of Andromeda. A seemingly mythical race of machines lure Andromeda to their space.
Contents |
[edit] Summary
A massive wave of debris approaches Andromeda and then move inside the ship. They take form, creating a humanoid shape. The mechanoid then asks to be taken to their leader. It identifies itself as HG-966HXCN5, or HG for short. He is a Biosentient Contact Unit, an emissary of the Consensus of Parts, an empire of machines that are rumored to prey on unsuspecting ships. Dylan reluctantly agrees to make first contact with the Consensus.
HG gets familiar with the crew and the ships systems. He is ever curious about the various different devices on the ship. Dylan has Trance and Harper look after him. He even asks to interface with Andromeda so as to direct her to the Consensus. As a precaution, Rommie puts up a firewall to prevent HG from learning to much.
When Andromeda reaches Consensus space, they are greeted by Direct Intelligence Unit, VX1583. Now that HG's mission is complete, he must disassemble or deconsensus, otherwise he'd put the ship and crew in grave danger. As parting gifts, HG gives each member of the crew a piece of himself and then disassembles.
VX asks Rommie to join with the Consensus, to be free from organic control. She and Dylan discuss his offer and politely decline and Rommie states she acts of her own free will. Outraged VX is escorted out and warns the crew that in three minutes, the Consensus will destroy Andromeda.
While attempting to escape, HG's "gifts" start connecting themselves to the ship's systems. They realize what's going on and consider what to do. Harper considers using nanites to eat the parts but Trance says that would kill HG. HG soon becomes part of Rommie but his control of her body is erratic. He explains he hoped to escape the Consensus but he lost control.
With few choices left, the crew allows HG to interface with Andromeda's systems. They then go to slipstream, where VX cannot follow them. However, for some strange reason, his ship sized mass follows them. HG explains that the Consensus needs only human intuition, coupled with brains, to navigate slipstream.
Dylan has the crew go the HG "beginning", where all of the outcast parts reside. HG making a speech to the parts, telling them they must join together and find what it truly means to live. The parts comply and combine with Andromeda. VX just emerges out of slipstream and is blasted. Rommie and Andromeda revert to normal. However, HG is no more but the parts use his voice and have form Outcast Consensus One.
[edit] Production Information
| Production Number: | 118 |
| Aired: | February 26, 2001 |
| Written By: | |
| Directed By: | |
| INSERT EPISODE SCREENHOT HERE | |
| Created By: | Gene Roddenberry |
| Developed By: | Robert Hewitt Wolfe |
| Executive Producers: | Allan Eastman Majel Roddenberry Robert Hewitt Wolfe Josanne B. Lovick Jay Firestone Adam Haight |
| Producer | Sherry Gorval |
| Production Designer | Ken Rabehl |
| Intro | The long night has come. The Systems Commonwealth the greatest civilisation in history has fallen. Now, one ship, one crew have vowed to drive back the night and rekindle the light of civilisation. On the starship Andromeda hope lives again |
[edit] Starring
[edit] Regular Cast
| Actor |
|
|---|---|
| Kevin Sorbo | |
| Lisa Ryder | |
| Keith Hamilton Cobb | |
| Gordon Michael Woolvett | |
| Brent Stait | |
| Laura Bertram | |
| Lexa Doig |
[edit] Guest Stars
| |
|---|---|
| Matt Smith | |
| Kevin Durand |
[edit] DVD Release
The Sum of Its Parts was released on DVD in a vareity of formats. For more information see:
