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Synopsis: This thrilling, contemporary twist on the timeless
legend of Tarzan turns the popular tale into an urban adventure, an
intriguing mystery and, most of all, an unconventional crime drama.
Two decades ago, young John Clayton's parents died in a plane crash
and left him alone in the African jungle, where he grew up among apes
and other wild animals. A solitary human in the pure and primal order
of this untamed world, John Clayton emerged as the fearless Tarzan (newcomer
Travis Fimmel).
Captured by his billionaire uncle, Richard Clayton (Mitch Pileggi,
"The X-Files"), the CEO of powerful Greystoke Industries, Tarzan is
returned, against his will, to his family's home in New York City.
Within the Clayton family, Tarzan's return has unleashed rivalries
that have festered for decades. His uncle Richard is bitterly estranged
from his younger sister Kathleen Clayton (Lucy Lawless, "The Ugly Americans,"
"Xena, Warrior Princess") the witty, sardonic and beautiful newspaper
publisher who is Tarzan's aunt. While Richard believes that his desire
to rehabilitate Tarzan and make him a real member of society is in Tarzan's
own best interest, Kathleen believes that what Tarzan really needs is
their help and support as he finds his own way in this strange new world.
Now that their nephew has returned from the dead as Tarzan, Richard
and Kathleen have squared off in a new battle. While they are both driven
by love – for Tarzan and for the family – they also know that whoever
controls Tarzan, controls Greystoke Industries as well.
Resisting captivity, Tarzan escapes into the concrete jungle of New
York City where he encounters the strong-willed NYPD detective Jane
Porter (stage actress Sarah Wayne Callies). Jane's perfectly ordered
life is turned upside-down by her attraction to Tarzan and his dangerous
yet profoundly untainted morality.
Romantically involved with another member of the force, Detective
Michael Foster (Johnny Messner, "Tears of the Sun"), Jane is left to
choose between reason and instinct, civilization and pure humanity,
her head and her heart. While the rivalry between Tarzan and Michael
quickly becomes explosive, the sudden shift in Jane's world also affects
her partner Sam Sullivan (Miguel A. Núñez, Jr., "Scooby Doo"). Though
he appears brash and irreverent, Sam is a dedicated cop, and he is stunned
by Jane's reckless behavior and her obsession with this mysterious fugitive.
Now that Tarzan is a part of her life, Jane sees everything differently,
especially her work with the police force. Crimes of violence, greed
and revenge suddenly take on a deeper and more disturbing meaning, and
she is more troubled than ever before by what she sees. Looking at society
from Tarzan's perspective, Jane begins to wonder what it really means
to be "civilized."
Drawn together from different worlds, Tarzan and Jane share passions
that are only heightened by the gulf between them. Tarzan's feelings
for Jane now keep him in New York, but his view of the world is unchanged.
Confronted with a city that exists in shades of gray, Tarzan still sees
everything in black and white. When he comes across an innocent person
in trouble, he reacts swiftly and sometimes brutally, guided by the
sense of justice that is the core of his being.
Driven by his devotion to Jane and his unwavering sense of right and
wrong, Tarzan makes his way through New York City, using instinct, his
unique physical abilities and wits sharpened by years in the jungle.
Tarzan is a modern day hero -- an extraordinary man living in the real
and all-too-brutal modern world. (courtesy WB, 2003)
The Cast:
Travis Fimmel as Tarzan
Sarah Wayne Callies as Jane
Mitch Pileggi as Richard Clayton
Miguel A. Núñez, Jr. as Sam Sullivan
Lucy Lawless as Kathleen Clayton
Production Credits:
Tarzan is from executive producers Laura Ziskin ("Spider-Man,"
"Pretty Woman"), David Gerber ("The Lost Battalion"), P.K. Simonds (Party
of Five, "Beauty and The Beast") and co-executive producer
Eric Kripke ("Battle of the Sexes") and is produced by Laura Ziskin
Productions and The Gerber Company for Warner Bros. Television Production
Inc.
The Episodes:
1-1 Pilot--10/05/2003
Two decades ago, young John Clayton's parents died in a plane crash
and left him alone in the African jungle, where he grew up among apes
and other wild animals. Captured by his billionaire uncle, Richard Clayton
(Mitch Pileggi, "The X-Files"), the CEO of powerful Greystoke Industries,
Tarzan (newcomer Travis Fimmel) is returned, against his will, to his
family's home in New York City where he meets Jane Porter (newcomer
Sarah Wayne Callies), a strong-willed NYPD detective. Her perfectly
ordered life is turned upside-down when a routine case unexpectedly
leads her to the mysterious, primal and passionate Tarzan.
Written by: Eric Kripke
Directed by: David Nutter
Guest stars:
1-2 Secrets And Lies--10/12/2003
Tarzan (Travis Fimmel) risks exposure when he assists Jane (Sarah Wayne
Callies) with a police case, helping her find a group of men responsible
for attacking a young woman (guest star Kathleen Munroe) in Central
Park. When Jane's fianc' Michael (Johnny Messner) discovers that Tarzan
is alive, he makes a deal with Richard Clayton (Mitch Pileggi), offering
to help capture his nephew. Meanwhile, Jane contacts Tarzan's aunt,
Kathleen Clayton (Lucy Lawless) in hopes that she will offer Tarzan
shelter and protection.
Written by: Eric Kripke
Directed by: David Nutter
Guest stars:
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