Veritas: The Quest

Last updated
Veritas: The Quest
Created by Patrick Massett
John Zinman
Starring Alex Carter
Ryan Merriman
Cobie Smulders
Eric Balfour
Cynthia Martells
Arnold Vosloo
ComposerJohn Nordstrom
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Iain Paterson
  • I.C. Rapoport
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesMassett/Zinman Productions
Storyline Entertainment
Touchstone Television
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseJanuary 27 (2003-01-27) 
March 10, 2003 (2003-03-10)

Veritas: The Quest is a television program that aired in 2003, [1] following a rebellious but intelligent teenager, Nikko Zond, as he discovers that his father Solomon's profession is much more mystical and adventurous than he previously thought. Solomon and his team (dubbed "Veritas," Latin for "truth") search for the answers to some of the world's mysteries, a quest began because of the mysterious disappearance of Nikko's mother during an archaeological dig. Thus begins Nikko's fantastical journey into an Indiana Jones -style adventure with his father and his colleagues in trying to follow in his mother's footsteps to discover what strange secrets she was uncovering. The series was cancelled in the United States by ABC with only four episodes being aired. All thirteen produced episodes aired on Sci Fi Channel in the United Kingdom, on Rai 2 and Rai 4 in Italy, and Canal Sony (formerly known as Sony Entertainment Television).

Contents

This was the first program where Cobie Smulders had a series regular role, and notable guest stars included Liz Vassey, Carlo Rota, Roger Rees, and Eli Wallach.

Plot

The main protagonist of the series is Nikko Zond, a young teen, whose father is involved in many different archaeological expeditions ranging from Antarctica to harsh deserts. Nikko is at first reluctant to participate in many of the adventures, but throughout the series, it would appear that there is a hidden destiny for Nikko.

In the episode "Skulls", a mysterious figure (Conrad Dunn) appears out of nowhere, whom only Nikko can see, and guides Nikko. The episode ends with a crystal skull that is central to the plot of the episode modelled to reveal what someone would look like with skin and muscle added to that skull. The image formed matches the mysterious man who helped Nikko.

In the episode "Eternal," Nikko is poisoned and the only cure is for him to drink water that heals, and assures eternal life. While it is unknown if he gained eternal life or not, he did heal.

In the final episode, he suffered from hallucinations that led him to find a fragment of an artifact called the "Ring of Truth". Before the episode ends, he has another hallucination that reveals that the fragment of the "Ring" also joins with another fragment that his father had acquired earlier in the series. The episode ends with Nikko displaying telekinetic powers: when he reaches for his soda, it slides across the table into his hand.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Reunion" Bryan Spicer Patrick Massett & John Zinman January 27, 2003 (2003-01-27)
2"Antarctica" Perry Lang Patrick Massett & John ZinmanFebruary 3, 2003 (2003-02-03)
3"Skulls" Adam Nimoy Patrick Massett & John ZinmanFebruary 10, 2003 (2003-02-10)
4"Heist" Rick Kolbe Rick KellardMarch 10, 2003 (2003-03-10)
5"The Wheel Of Dharma" R. W. Goodwin Stephanie Bloch-Chambers & Julie BeanUnaired
6"Sangraal"Perry LangGabrielle Stanton & Harry Werksman, Jr.Unaired
7"Mummy Virus" Vern Gillum Rick Kellard & Thania St. JohnUnaired
8"Name Of God" Michael Nankin Brad FalchukUnaired
9"Devil's Child" Thomas J. Wright Thania St. JohnUnaired
10"Avalon" Dwight Little I. C. RapoportUnaired
11"The Lost Codex"Tom WrightGabrielle Stanton & Harry Werksman, Jr.Unaired
12"Eternal" Fred Gerber Thania St. John & Chad HodgeUnaired
13"Helmholtz Resonance" Larry Shaw Patrick Massett & John ZinmanUnaired

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References

  1. johnnyjay (2023-08-26). "Sci Fi TV Obscurities: Veritas The Quest (2003)". Cancelled Sci Fi. Retrieved 2024-02-20.