Genesis (TV story)

***Genesis*** was the second episode of *Series 1* of *Survivors*.

## Synopsis

Abby realises that the world has changed forever and the only way she will survive is to adapt to her new situation and make contact with more survivors.

## Plot

A helicopter passes over the sea, heading inland. Abby is sleeping in her car as its passes overhead and fails to attract the pilot's attention. She drives off. The pilot, Greg Preston, lands in a field near his home. He finds his wife, Jeannie, dead inside and bitterly remarks he thought she'd survive just to spite him. He gathers some belongings and leaves by car. Abby washes herself in a stream: She is cooking a tin of beans on a makeshift campfire. Jenny sees the smoke from the fire. She goes to investigate but finds the fire put out, with Abby gone.

Greg is flagged down by a well-spoken woman, Anne Tranter. She says a tractor went over in a nearby quarry and a man is pinned underneath it by his legs. Greg drives there with her. The quarry has a portakabin set up in it. The man, Vic Thatcher, has passed out. Greg jacks up the tractor and they pull him out, carrying him to the hut. It is full of supplies and Greg asks Anne to get some brandy for the pain and scissors. He notes Vic's legs are broken but neither of them know how to reset them. Anne confirms her father and brother are dead: She was ill for two days before recovering, with their servants having been sent away. Greg tells her about his wife and reveals he was working as an engineer in Holland. Neither he nor Vic fell ill. He came back in the company helicopter, seeing Rotterdam on fire and nothing along the mainland coast, only seeing a man and two children when he stopped for fuel in Ostend. He's not sure where he was going. Vic stirs in pain.

Tom Price finds a car showroom unlocked. He starts an expensive car and delightedly drives it away, sounding the horn and listening to a cassette. He then goes to a department store and takes an expensive suit and other clothes. Jenny appears and says he's the first person she's seen in days. Tom is still staying away from people. Jenny reminds him of their first meeting. Tom is convinced the doctors will clear it up, saying the Americans will bring supplies over. He drives off despite her pleas. Jenny takes shelter in the shop.

Greg tries to reset and tie Vic's legs, with the man in agony. Anne goes outside, unable to stand his cries. Greg admits he isn't sure if his ministrations will do much good. Vic passes out again and Greg joins Anne outside. He notes Vic will be crippled for life if the bones aren't set properly and need crutches at least. Anne says that any injury will be serious from now on. She wonders how long it will take to get back to normal. Greg thinks it never will. Anne says Vic thought the same. She insists she'll get her share of what's left.

Abby stops upon seeing a house with a light on. She approaches and someone turns the light out. She calls out, then heads back to her car only for someone to turn the headlights on. After checking she's on her own and not sick, the man, Arthur Wormley, tells his associate Dave Long to turn the lights back on. Abby says she hasn't spoken to anyone in a week. Wormley invites her in and introduces himself and Dave to her. He says they were preparing something to eat: The kitchen is in full working order with a gas cylinder, a generator and a water pump attached to a well. They prepare Abby a drink. Wormley is determined that they'll get everything back to normal soon. Abby recalls that he was a union man and Wormley says he was the national president. He was in contact with the government when the crisis started and recalls they declared martial law, meaning authorities could open fire to protect property or life. He says soon people will start forming into groups and someone will have to exercise central control. He says that's his skill. Dave dishes up a large selection of meat and vegetables.

Greg and Anne are eating cold meat as Anne ponders what else they need. She notes Vic said the quarry was isolated and easy to defend. Vic is still restless and Greg tends to him. Anne wants Greg to get the tractor going so they can collect more supplies. She intends to use it to pay people to grow vegetables and work for them. Greg is unimpressed. He settles down to sleep.

Abby tells Wormley about failing to find Peter. He intends to collect information on those who survived. Abby says she's looking for somewhere to form a farm or settlement, explaining about the need to learn old skills again and stop depending on what's left behind. She explains about how the wood to make a table would never to be cut down with something made from metal, itself made with fuel from mines. Wormley accepts the argument and suggests he could protect her commune by establishing law and order. Abby isn't convinced a national government is needed. Wormley says they're already making sure food in the area is shared out equally and soon will expand. Abby compares him to a feudal baron. Wormley says that system led to democracy and there are already rival groups. He says he took over the house. An old colonel formed a vigilante group and refused to join him, making attacks. Although uncomfortable with his attitude, Abby asks for a bath.

Jenny has sheltered in the shop for the night, coughing harshly. Abby gets dressed after her bath. Someone shoots through the window, just missing her, as more shots are heard from outside. She goes downstairs where Wormley's men have brought the colonel in, who has killed one of Wormley's men. Wormley says the martial law announcement gives him all the authority he needs to pass judgement on those who commit murder and rebellion. He senses the colonel to death and Dave and the others take him outside. Abby protests, calling it murder. She hears a gunshot outside and flees the house. Wormley sardonically wishes her luck, saying she'll never get anywhere without people like him.

Anne wakes up and finds Greg driving off. He says he's not coming back unless he finds drugs than can help Vic, and even then he won't stay. Anne goes back to the hut. Vic asks for something to drink and Anne shouts at him hysterically. On a nearby road, Abby sees the car Price took broken down. Jenny emerges from the shop and finds Greg stealing from a chemist's. She collapses at the sight of him. Anne packs her things and leaves without a word, despite Vic begging her not to leave him.

Greg explains his lack of plans to Jenny, who says she just wants to be with people. Greg imagines they'll find groups of people for her but is ensure if he'll stay himself. They find Anne walking. Greg offers her the drugs but Anne tells him Vic's dead. Greg agrees to take her with them. At the quarry, the now helpless Vic crawls out of the hut and calls out for Anne to help him. Greg runs out of petrol and notes it'll be easier to get another car than fill it up. He decides they'll find a place to spend the night.

Later, they have taken refuge in a barn. Jenny, unable to sleep because of her cough, sees a fire in the distance. She wakes Greg and shows him, saying there must be people there trying to attract attention. Greg reluctantly agrees. They try to rouse Anne but she refuses to go with them. Greg says they'll come back tomorrow. As it gets light, they find the fire burning near an old hall. Abby emerges. Jenny says they saw the fire. Abby says she hoped somebody would and they're the first. Jenny wonders if there will be others.

## Cast

* Abby Grant - Carolyn Seymour
* Jenny Richards - Lucy Fleming
* Greg Preston - Ian McCulloch
* Tom Price - Talfryn Thomas
* Anne Tranter - Myra Frances
* Vic Thatcher - Terry Scully
* Dave Long - Brian Peck
* Arthur Wormley - George Baker

## Crew

* Written by Terry Nation
* Produced by Terence Dudley
* Directed by Gerald Blake