Not surprisingly, they usually lavish a lot of effort on the pilot to sell it to the network.

You should be able to view the first episode online at http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/tv/Terra-Nova/107117/12804023/Genesis/videos . It's possible I can watch it because I have ComCast Internet service (but not TV), and I'd be curious whether or not you can. Or on hulu: http://www.hulu.com/terra-nova .

Not that it's great science fiction. Or sci-fi. Or even syffy. But the initial story in 2149 sets up characters and stocks up on backstory that they'll be playing out over time. I'd suggest watching the pilot to put it into context.

I'm gonna keep watching a few more episodes, anyway, before passing final judgment. It might be as amusing as last season's "V" remake. We shall see...