Primeverse

The Primeverse is the fictional universe in which the British television series, "Primeval" takes place. It has numerous self-contained worlds that the characters explore over the course of the series. Many of these worlds are based on locations from previous series such as "Walking with Dinosaurs" and "Prehistoric Park", though some of the worlds seen are completely fictional and were created for this series while others are real places. The universe is one as technologically advanced as our own, but also home to strange and supernatural seeming phenomena.

Beyond the series itself, the Primeverse is due to be expanded upon by supplemental material, including books and novelisations and the making of documenteries from the DVDs. Though the term is essentially an example of fanspeak, the word "Primeverse" is a portmanteau of "Primeval" and "universe". It is similar to the popular term "Buffyverse" used to describe the world of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel". Professor Nick Cutter's, first journey in series one takes him through each world in search of his wife Helen and to try to prevent the prehistoric beasts from invading the present. In series two Nick Cutter's main aim appears to be rescuing Claudia Brown and maintaining the conspiracy around the anomalies.

Concept and design

The series was created by Adrian Hodges, who wrote the majority of the scripts and Tim Haines of Impossible Pictures. Tim Haines first came up with the concept for "Primeval" when he was filming the series "Walking with Dinosaurs".

Haines' idea of prehistoric animals arriving in the present day only solidified, however, when he met up with Adrian Hodges five years ago when they were working together on the BBC's adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World". Hodges had been independently working on a story about a man losing his wife in mysterious circumstances and they decided to merge the two ideas and Primeval was created. [cite web |url=http://www.douglashenshall.com/PrimevalinterviewwithAdrianHodgesswritersguild.html |title=Adrian Hodge at the Writers Guild]

Each world's design varies greatly in appearance and setting, depending on the era in the earth's history that it is based on. The reason for this was that the production team wanted each world to look different from each other and to get a broad variety of creatures as "Variety is essential". [cite web |url=http://www.douglashenshall.com/PrimevalTimHainesCamaeronMcAllistertvzone213.html
title=Haines and McAlliste talk on Primeval] Mike Milne, Primeval's Director of Computer animation, chose the filming locations in London to look shiny and hi-tech as they wanted to avoid the age-old designs like "Haunted Houses" and "abandoned churches"

The environments of each world and the creatures living within them are meant to resemble the fossil evidence for their respective eras, although some liberties have been taken and some creatures are completely fictitious.cite web
last = Milne
first = Mike
url = http://www.framestore-cfc.com/television/primeval/index.html
title = Primeval sees Framestore CFC's Creatures Leap into the 21st Century ]

Cosmology

Quote_box |width=35% |align=right|quote="Anomalies are starting to appear, doorways in time to worlds we can barely imagine."|source=—Professor Nick Cuttercite episode
title = Episode Two
series = Primeval
serieslink = Primeval (TV series)
network = ITV
station = ITV1
airdate = 2007-02-17
season = 1
number = 2] In the "Primeval" universe, travel between worlds is normally not possible. The series centres on a new phenomena called anomalies, which puncture the space-time continuum and allow access to an infinite number of worlds, although, technically speaking, these worlds are actually the same place, just at different stages of evolutionary development.cite episode
title = Episode One
series = Primeval
serieslink = Primeval (TV series)
network = ITV
station = ITV1
airdate = 2007-02-10
season = 1
number = 1] Each world, when not linked by an anomaly, is disconnected from the others and exists separately. Most characters and creatures in the worlds are unaware of the existence of the other worlds, but some notable characters are aware.

The Spaghetti Junction of anomalies from Episode Four is another feature of the strange cosmology of the Primeval universe. The exact nature or importance of this anomaly network and how it relates to the temporal fault lines the anomalies appear on has yet to be explained, though co-creator Adrian Hodges called it important to the Primeval universe's "mythology". [cite web |url=http://www.douglashenshall.com/2PrimevalSFXmagazineAugust2007.html |title='Primeval' Series Two preview] Mike Milne also stated that the Primeval universe is "fragmented over three dimensional space. As you step through it (the anomaly) you start off with small shards of the other world until you eventually come to large jagged fragments until finally you're through into the other world".

Apparently this meddling can cause changes in the space-time continuum, suggesting that the Primeval universe is in a state of near constant flux. This is demonstrated in Episode One and Six, where there appears to be an open time-loop, and it seemingly closed like one would expect which proved to be fatal for Claudia Brown.cite episode
title = Episode Six
series = Primeval
serieslink = Primeval (TV series)
network = ITV
station = ITV1
airdate = 2007-03-17
season = 1
number = 6] This also proves that in the cosmology of the Primeval universe is single a mutable timeline, meaning that actions taken in the past can alter events in the present. Adrian Hodges stated that he would be "exploring that concept very aggressively in the second series, and that does mean there's a whole string of changes in the universe that we've now got at the start of the second series. It's incredibly intriguing to deal with". [cite web |url=http://www.douglashenshall.com/2PrimevalSFXmagazineAugust2007.html |title='Primeval' Series Two preview]

Worlds

London

The current world.The most important world to the storyline because its scope is not limited by the need for scientific accuracy and it serves as the hub world for the series and as a homeworld for the main characters and those creatures that have managed to travel from their own worlds by unknowingly entering the anomalies.

This world, apart from the Wellington Zoo where Abby works, is mostly covered in sprawling metropolis, with the regular hustle and bustle of city life. The homes of the main characters and the university where they once worked are located here. In the centre of London is the home office, run by Lester and a seat of power for this world. It was later adopted by the Primeval Team as a headquarters.

Below the streets lie the sewer and subway systems. Here, a previously unknown entrance leads to a series of abandoned tunnels and bunkers; artificial lighting barely brightens these dark, sorrowful levels. Much of the machinery that satisfied the needs to the city above, were placed down in these depths and despite the severe state of decay after having been abandoned for decades, many of the facilities are still in production and continuing to produce electricity and eerie mechanical sounds long after the departure of the owners. Other places in this world include the rural, farming areas such as the Forest of Dean, which stretches for acres, where the golf course and country mansion are located.

Permian Desert

This world exists 250 million years ago.The most visited world in the Primeval series, Much of it is covered with the red sands of the arid desert and black volcanic lava fields which contain little life, apart from the roaming herds of "Scutosaurus" and other large animals. Also the "Gorgonopsid's" that follow them in the hope of picking off stragglers or youngsters and dominated by the summits of the snow-capped volcanoes that occasionally send pillars of superheated ash up into the sky.

Beyond these wastelands, however, are lush oases of greenery where flocks of "Coelurosauravus" and other small animals live. The dry conditions in this world favour gymnosperms, plants with seeds enclosed in a protective cover. The first modern trees like (conifers, ginkgos and cycads) appeared in this world.

Some areas however do have signs of civilized inhabitance. There is a secluded place that hides an abandoned camp which contains the remains of previous visitors to this world. Ultimately it is revealed to be the remains of Nick Cutter and Captain Ryan's camp.

The anomaly to this world is located in the Forest of Dean and it has opened and closed at least three times. It was the first time that all the characters, including Helen Cutter, and led to her 'disappearance'. Another anomaly leading to the future world opened in the Permian which caused contamination of both eras resulting in changes in the timeline. The exact nature of this contamination is unclear.. It was also the scene of a dramatic fight between a Future Predator and a Gorgonopsid, in which the Gorgonopsid lost an eye, but the Future Predator was killed.

Cretaceous Sea

This world exists 75 million years ago. It consists of rocky, fog enshrouded archipelagos located in a mysterious sea. This broad shallow sea advanced across central North America (the Western Interior Seaway) and Europe, then receded late in the period, leaving thick marine deposits sandwiched between coal beds. At the peak of the Cretaceous transgression, one-third of Earth's present land area was submerged. [Dougal Dixon et al., "Atlas of Life on Earth", (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2001), p. 215.]

The sky is dark and gloomy. A mountainous uplands can be seen in the distance, where "pterosaurs" circle in search of prey, while rivers and beautiful waterfalls return water to the sea. The coastline is covered in rocky cliffs with stagnant pools and gullies created by long dormant volcanic eruptions. It is amongst these secluded pools that the "Hesperornis" nest.

The sea itself is shallow and tropical with clear blue waters. The sea floor is barren and the waters in this world are especially treacherous, giant meat-eating reptiles such as the "Mosasaurs" constantly patrol the coast line in search of food.

Helen Cutter lived in this world for a time and it was here that she was reunited with her husband, although negotiations between them fell through. The anomaly to this world was unstable and moved from a swimming pool where it first appeared, to a reservoir and then to the basement of a house. It is the only anomaly to do so at present. cite episode
title = Episode Three
series = Primeval
serieslink = Primeval (TV series)
network = ITV
station = ITV1
airdate = 2007-02-24
season = 1
number = 3]

Spaghetti Junction

In episode Four the team descovered a strange world which was later named "Spaghetti Junction" by Connor.cite episode
title = Episode Four
series = Primeval
serieslink = Primeval (TV series)
network = ITV
station = ITV1
airdate = 2007-03-03
season = 1
number = 4] It is a savannah world dominated by a large central grassland area which branches off in all directions, with bright blue skies and gentle, rolling hills. The atmosphere of this world remains breathable by humans, but is turbulent and thunder clouds are common. More importantly, this world is filled with anomalies leading to other worlds.

This world acts like an anomaly hub similar to the Wood between Worlds from the "Chronicles of Narnia" and the World Terminus from "Kingdom Hearts", an "airport terminal" linking the different worlds and allowing travel between them. The anomalies here give access to an unlimited number of worlds, most of which are currently unknown although one of them is the islands of Mauritius.

The exact nature of this world as well as its location (both in time and space) and how it relates to the temporal fault lines are unknown. It is noteworthy that all of the other anomalies gave straight access to the other worlds without the need to go through this terminal. Also Helen Cutter appears to be familiar with this world, and the details about anomaly network, as she was able to travel through without getting lost like Captain Ryan and Hart.

Apart from the grass, which might also have come from elsewhere, there do not appear to be any native lifeforms, although some species, such as the Dodos and their Parasite, have entered this world through one of the anomalies.

Cretaceous Woodland

This world exists 70 million years ago.This world is not to be confused with the Cretaceous sea, which existed 5 million years before this world. It ranks as the "largest" world yet seen. It is first described on the official website as being an open flood plain and desert scrubland, where giant pterosaurs like "Pteranodon" soar far and wide in search of prey and raptor packs and other dinosaurs including "Tyrannosaurus" hunt.cite web
last = henshall
first = douglas
url = http://douglashenshallwebsiteupdates.blogspot.com/2007/06/primeval-series-2-filmed-in-john-lewis.html
title = Primeval Series 2 filmed in John Lewis ] . However there are patches of thick woodland scattered across this world where smaller, more agile pterosaurs like "Anurognathus" hunt.cite episode
title = Episode Five
series = Primeval
serieslink = Primeval (TV series)
network = ITV
station = ITV1
airdate = 2007-03-10
season = 1
number = 5] This world also has small lakes and ephemiral rivers where shoals of "Sarcopterygian" swim. Nick Cutter tried to remain in this world shortly after the crisis that led to the removal of Claudia Brown from the timeline, and her redevelopment as Jenny Lewis, hoping that this would restore the timeline and bring Claudia back. However, he is persuaded to return by Hart.

There have been four anomalies leading to this world; all in different locations. The first was in the Indian Ocean which allowed the sarcopterygian access to modern times. The second was at the golf gourse,the third is at the shopping centre and the fourth's current location is unknown.. The Deinonychus from the third anomaly probably got through from an anomaly in its home period—about 125 million years ago.

Future World

Future World is a fictional world that exists at an unspecified point millions of years in the future, after humanity and an unknown amount of fauna have died out due to unknown causes. It is still dominated by mammals, most of which have evolved from the rodents and bats that survived the mass extinction. Tim Haines, on the series one DVD, said that the climate in this era was identical to the climate in the present. In Episode Ten this world is visited (at least the point in the future that the "Mer" creatures and the "Future Shark" originated from) and it appears to be a desert near a large body of water.

The anomaly to this world opened in the Permian which could cause contamination of both eras as fauna travel back and forth. Helen Cutter was interested in finding this period and Nick Cutter described it as "her last great frontier". Apparently Helen has visited this era (although it is unknown if it was at the same time as the Future Predator is from), because when Cutter confronts her about the technology used to control the Future Predators she confirms that she did indeed bring it back from the Future World with her, but this world still remains to be seen on screen. The Future Predator may or may not be the dominant species on earth, if so replacing humans.

Silurian Desert

This world exists 400 million years ago. It is mostly desert with minimal plantlife and oxygen. Rocks dominate the landscape and sandstorms frequentely occur. Millipedes and "giant scorpions" are the dominant lifeforms.

Unseen Worlds

These worlds have anomalies linking them to the present but as yet have never been visited or seen onscreen, only described.

Carboniferous Jungle

This world exists 325 million years ago.Although never seen, it is described on the official website as being a lush, dark tropical forest of diverse animals and exotic plant life with a high percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere.cite web
url = http://www.itv.com/primeval
title = Official website] The atmosphere of this world has a negative effect on humans who experience sickness, ringing in the ears and blurred vision. The large amount of oxygen also made the insects huge. While there are small ice sheets, holdovers from the earlier Devonian, these apparently had little effect as most of the world is deep tropic environments, harsh, humid and covered in stifling mangrove swamps and mud fields where lush coal swamps flourished. The primary inhabitants of this world are insects, scorpions, spiders and centipedes who live in dark, secretive corners of the jungle and resist intrusion. Other creatures are dragonflies, amphibians and primitive reptiles. It is the home of the poisonous, unknown arthropleura.

Helen Cutter also lived in this world for some time and tried to organise a meeting with her husband here. The anomaly to this world opened in the abandoned regions of London Underground and for some reason never closed on screen. It is unknown whether it has closed since (although if it did not close the Anomaly Detection Device would have detected it as active on the map).

The Jurassic

Virtually nothing is known about this world or even the location of the anomaly leading to it. All that is shown is that it existed some time during the Jurassic Period and that it was stated to be the homeworld. The world is tropical with conifer families flourishing. Deserts and plains are common too. Dinosaurs are the dominant animals and reptiles as a whole rule the world.

This world was only briefly mentioned in Episode Four. Helen Cutter also lived in this world for some time, although for how long and what she was doing there is unknown. The Jurassic may be in series 3. The Utahraptor that Helen Cutter met in the Jurassic must have come through an anomaly in the Cretaceous .

Islands of Mauritius

This world exists in the 17th century.This world is an archipelago of islands almost completely surrounded by tropical reefs of outstanding beauty but may pose maritime hazards for visitors to this world. Unlike the Cretaceous sea, however, this world is a tropical, predator-free paradise. This archipelago was formed in a series of undersea volcanic eruptions, as the African plate drifted over the Réunion hotspot although this world is no longer volcanically active. The island of Mauritius itself is formed around a central plateau, with its highest peak in the southwest, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 metres (2,717 ft).

Around the plateau, are forested, coastal plains rising to discontinuous mountains encircling the central plateau although the original crater can still be distinguished from these mountains. The climate is tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; there is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. This world is hit by cyclones during the months of November to April. This world is well known for its exceptional natural beauty; "You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius", as Mark Twain noted in Following the Equator.

This archipelago is inhabited by many endemic species that where only native to this time and place in history - including 42 species of tree, the Rodrigues Fruit Bat, two species of bird (the Rodrigues Fody and the Rodrigues Warbler) and on the reef a species of coral, two species of damselfish and many new species of crustaceans. [ cite web|url=http://www.biodiv.org/doc/world/mu/mu-nr-03-en.doc |title=Convention on Biological Diversity - Third National Report for the Republic of Mauritius, Section 5.2.1, p. 26 |accessdate=2007-01-19 |date=October 2006 |format=DOC |publisher=Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit in collaboration with the UNEP/GEF ] The most common species, however, is the flightless bird, Dodo which evolved in the predator free environment. The dominant plant in this world are the "Ambalacoque" trees which exist in a symbiotic relationship with the Dodo. The "Ambalacoque" appear to be a fictional version of the real life Tambalacoque tree, "Sideroxylon grandiflorum".

There is a dark side to this paradise. The islands were also, secretly, home to a species of deadly Parasites. This is one of only two worlds to be set in historic times and ranks as the most "compact" world seen. The anomaly to this world is connected to Spaghetti Junction.

Precambrian Wastelands

This world exists 2,700 million years ago.It is mostly made up of wide expanses of lifeless, rocky deserts enshrouded by a sulphurous, carbon dioxide-rich fog. The nearby oceans teem with primitive jellyfish, sponges and molluscs. It is the homeworld of the Worms. The oxygen content of the air is very low, and native animals are poisoned by the higher levels of oxygen in the modern-day atmosphere.

Pleistocene Prairie

This world exists 30,000 years ago.It is probably located in Texas, which, at this point of time, is made up of flat aluvian plains, covered in grasses and low trees. It is the homeworld of the Columbian Mammoth, the Smilodon and the Titanis. It is also home to many species of megafauna.

References