"The Intruder" Jurassic Park: The Game (Telltale Games) Episode 1 Video game November 2011

When Dennis Nedry fails to show up at the ship with the embryo canister, a BioSyn agent takes action.

Notes from the Jurassic Park chronology

This story takes place on Isla Nublar simultaneously with the events of the first Jurassic Park film.

Didja Know?

Jurassic Park: The Game was published by Telltale Games in November 2011. The game is broken up into four distinct episodes (each composed of multiple chapters) that make up a larger story and serves as a kind of sequel to the original Jurassic Park film. I have chosen to write a separate study for each of the four episodes.

This is the study of Episode 1 of Jurassic Park: The Game.

Didja Notice? 

Prologue

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The woman (later revealed to be smuggler Nima Cruz) being chased by dinosaurs (later revealed to be Troodons) is holding the Barbasol can (a disguised dinosaur embryo container) dropped by Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park.

The opening text indicates that Isla Nublar is 120 miles west of Costa Rica. This jives exactly with my calculation of its location in the study of Jurassic Park III where I stated: The opening shot indicates that Isla Sorna is located 207 miles west of Costa Rica and that the island is restricted. (The Lost World indicated that the island was 87 miles west of Isla Nublar, so that would place Isla Nublar about 120 miles from Costa Rica.)

Notice that Nina appears to have large gouges in her left arm, presumably from a dinosaur attack. These are later revealed to be from the toxic bite of a Troodon, as evidenced by the scene in which she shakes her head to clear it and her pounding heartbeat is heard.

The Troodons seem to have highly reflective eyes, possibly due to the presence of a tapetum lucidum in the eyes, which is a natural structure reflecting light back into the retina in many animal species allowing for superior night vision.

   Troodon was a small carnivore of the Cretaceous period, about the same size as Deinonychus. It had a large brain for its body size, approaching that of modern birds.
   The Troodons in the game are identified by Dr. Laura Sorkin as Troodon pectinodon. In the real world there is no such taxonomic name. There are fossils identified as Pectinodon bakkeri (after paleontologist Dr. Robert Bakker, who was mentioned in Jurassic Park and satirized in The Lost World and Redemption), though some paleontologists dispute whether the fossils identified as such are actually a unique species of Troodon or just a juvenile form of Troodon formosus. Within the JP universe, it could be argued that this is a species of Troodon newly-discovered among the various DNA samples recovered from the blood-sucking insects found in amber as described in Jurassic Park.
   In the game, the Troodons are later shown to lay their eggs in the abdomen of a recent kill for incubation and, presumably, food for the hatchlings upon emergence. There is no evidence of this in the paleontological record; in fact, it might well decrease the eggs' chances of survival because the scent of the rotting body would attract other carnivores (although the toxin keeps the host body alive in a comatose state). Fairly standard fossilized nests of Troodon eggs have been found by paleontologists, including Jack Horner (upon whom Dr. Alan Grant was loosely based).
   There is also no evidence that Troodons had toxic, paralyzing saliva as depicted here but it is logical to assume that if dinosaurs could be resurrected in the modern world, we would learn things about many of them we'd never previously guessed. The toxic saliva as seen here is similar to that of the modern day Komodo dragon. Zoologists disagree as to whether the toxic effects of the Komodo dragon bite are due to venom produced by the animal or by particularly virulent strains of bacteria growing in their mouths.

Welcome to Jurassic Park

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Dr. Gerry Harding, who appeared briefly in Jurassic Park, also appears, more prominently, here. He is depicted with a more youthful look, however, to support the role the character plays in this story and possibly also because we are introduced to a younger daughter of his, Jessica Harding. (His older daughter, Dr. Sarah Harding, appears in The Lost World.) It is stated within the game that young Jess is Harding's daughter from his second marriage, making her Sarah's half-sister. Jess seems to be on Isla Nublar visiting her father, but between her, Mr. Cheung's daughter in "Sneakers", and Hammond's grandkids (Lex and Tim) in Jurassic Park being allowed on the supposedly-secret island, it seems that security precautions are flying out the door!

Regarding the fancy binoculars Jess has acquired within the park, Dr. Harding remarks, "We spared no expense." He probably adopted the phrase from John Hammond, who makes the same statement several times in Jurassic Park.

The binoculars Jess uses are similar to the ones used by Tim in Jurassic Park, but are not connected to a head-mount. Hers may have infrared capability, just as Tim's do, judging by the aperture located center-front.

Looking through the binoculars, Jess is excited at what she thinks is a dinosaur shaking a tree, but is disappointed when she sees the shaking was just caused by a flock of birds ascending from the branches. Ironically, birds are believed to have descended from dinosaurs.

When she asks if they can go down into the jungle to see the dinosaurs up close, Dr. Harding retorts, "When I worked in San Diego, did I let you into the tiger enclosure?" This is a reference to his past as a veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo, as stated in the Jurassic Park and The Lost World novels.

Some yellow flowers spotted growing on the island by Jess are identified by her father as Heliconia. These are a real species of flower. Jess thinks they look like her mother's bird of paradise, which is a flower of the genus Strelitzia, and not a Heliconia.

Dr. Harding reminds Jess that all the dinosaurs on the island are female, as stated in Jurassic Park. (Of course, we learn in the course of the film that this is not entirely true!)

Dr. Harding tells Jess that Triceratops are big fans of banana leaves.

Through her binoculars, Jess sees a Jeep travelling along the island's dirt roads. Her father explains that it must be Hammond's visitors, "some hotshot paleontologists". This is a reference to the arrival of Drs. Grant, Sattler, and Malcolm (though Malcolm is a mathematician, not a paleontologist).

Dr. Harding calls the alpha Triceratops "Lady Margaret". Presumably, this is a reference to Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby, mother of King Henry VII of England in the 15th Century.

Dr. Harding says he has to tend to a sick Triceratops. This is a reference to the sick Triceratops seen in Jurassic Park.

The Docks

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While on the phone with Dodgson, Chadwick exclaims to Nima, "It's Dodgson! I've got Dodgson here!" This is a callback to Dennis Nedry's line in Jurassic Park, where he says, "Dodgson! Dodgson! We've got Dodgson here!"

Chadwick's photo of the Barbasol can has a handwritten note clipped to it that reads: "Hand-off is at gate. Clean-up is at your discretion.--Osprey". Presumably, the "hand-off" is of the Barbasol can by Nedry to Chadwick. The second sentence may be a reference to killing witnesses if he feels it's necessary; this may be why Nima tells herself she's not getting back on the ship; she sees the note and suspects her contacts may try to kill her. "Osprey" is probably a code-name for someone running the operation for Biosyn; an osprey is a type of hawk found worldwide that lives mostly on fish. From Chadwick's second phone call to Dodgson, Dodgson himself is probably Osprey. It also sounds like Chadwick has the codename Ferret.

From his phone call with Dodgson, it seems that Chadwick thinks the other man spends too much time playing spy instead of attending to operational details. Combined with Dodgson's Hollywood-style spy behavior during his meeting with Nedry in Jurassic Park, it seems he does fancy himself in that role.

The phone that Nima spots in the security booth has a label on it with its location and phone number: Shed Contact 555-1832. The 555 prefix is one commonly used in fiction written in the U.S. and Canada, as a block of numbers have been reserved by the phone companies for that purpose.

Nima once refers to Chadwick as "baboso". "Baboso" is a Spanish language term for someone who is slimy.

When the loudspeaker makes its second announcement that everyone needs to get aboard the ship now, the speaker indicates "This means you, Barney!" The security guard indicates that he is Barney and lets Nima and Chadwick pass back onto the island. Possibly the name Barney is a reference to the purple dinosaur who is a popular children's character.

When Chadwick tells her to let him do the talking next time, she mumbles, "Este guanacas." I'm not sure what she's trying to say here. "Este" can mean "this one" or "stay" and "guanacas" means "mountains". One possibility in my mind is that she's telling herself to "stay calm", i.e. "don't kill this bozo", but how "guanacas" fits in, I don't know. (Update 8/19/2018: Josh writes in to PopApostle that este guanacas in Latin American Spanish means "this simpleton,"...in my estimation, kind of like "what a jerk" [Chadwick, not Josh!]. Thanks to Josh for the tip!)

Jungle Hack

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When she and Chadwick reach the electrified fence after hacking their way through the jungle, Nima says, "Andale pues! What is this monstruosidad?" "Andale pues" is essentially Spanish for "Come on!" "Monstruosidad" is Spanish for "monstrosity".

Nima tests that the electricity to the fence is currently off by throwing a stick onto it, just as Grant does in Jurassic Park.

When Nima finds some animal tracks in the mud and Chadwick asks what it is, she says, "Que es esto. Not baquiro. Like a bird, but much too big..." "Que es esto" is Spanish for "this is it". "Baquiro" is a wild pig (though not native to the Americas, wild pigs have been introduced to the continents by humans, resulting in small, wild populations).

During their jungle trek, Chadwick and Nima hear a chirping sound in the jungle they do not recognize. Most JP fans will recognize it instantly as the chirping of a Dilophosaurus.

Nima refers to the large bird that flies out at her and Chadwick as "Moku-Pa". I have not been able to translate this term. The bird itself appears to have quite a large beak, like a species of toucan, which is found in Central America. (Possibly the same species of bird is seen in the chapter called "Back on Track".)

Nedry's Clearing

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Coming across Nedry's stuck Jeep, Nima starts to clamber up the muddy slope to it. Chadwick remarks, "I'm not climbing that in my new stivalis..." I don't know what "stivalis" is a reference to. Presumably, it is a type or brand of pants or shoes he is wearing.

When Nima finds Nedry's dropped eyeglasses and realizes he was blind in the dark, she mutters, "Pobre desgraciado." This is Spanish for "Poor unfortunate."

When she sees the Dilophosaur tracks and realizes that it had been stalking Nedry, she says, "Mala onda." This is essentially Spanish for "bad luck".

Nima seems to find the same stick that Nedry used in an attempt to distract the Dilophosaur in Jurassic Park. She remarks, "No es nada." This is Spanish for "It is nothing."

Using the Jeep's roof lights to spotlight the surrounding jungle, Nima says, "Que fue eso?" This is Spanish for "What is this?"

When she spots Nedry's bloodied access pass on the ground, Nima says, "Madre de Dios." This is Spanish for "Mother of God."

Seeing some kind of junk food on the floor of the Jeep, Nima refers to Nedry's corpse as "gordito". This is Spanish slang for "fatso".

The soda can Nima picks up from the floor of the Jeep appears to be a generic brand, saying simply "Cola", though the red-and-white design of the can is reminiscent of Coca-Cola.

Dilo Encounter

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Notice that Chadwick inserts a new cartridge of some kind into the embryo spindle of the Barbasol canister to keep the contents fresh. Presumably the cylinder provides more coolant to keep the vials frozen.

Chadwick seems to avoid the effect of the Dilophosaur venom that was spit on his face due to his glasses having protected his eyes from contact.

When she gets the battery cable reattached on the Jeep, Nima says, "Gracias a Dios." This is Spanish for "Thank God."

When Chadwick tries to sacrifice her as a distraction to the Dilophosaurs, Nima exclaims, "Hijo de Perra!" This is Spanish for "Son of a Bitch!"

Apparently Nima pulled Nedry's body out of the Jeep at some point before using the tow cable to extract it from the muddy hilltop because the driver's seat is empty when she jumps into it to escape the Dilophosaurs.

Trying to get the Jeep to start, Nima exclaims, "Andale! Por favor Arranca! Vamos!" This is Spanish for "Go! Please start! We must go!"

Notice that in this chapter, we see how Nima got the scars on her arm seen in the Prologue.

Chronologically, the Prologue takes place following this chapter, then followed by "Road Collision!"

Road Collision!

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Dr. Harding and Jess nearly run over Nima in the middle of the road, where we left her at the end of the Prologue.

Checking Nima's vital signs, Harding finds she has a heart rate of only 33 and comments that she's bradycardic. Bradycardia is a condition in a person experiencing a resting heart rate of less than 60 beats a minute.

In her delirium, Nima mumbles, "Nunca pos podran sacar de aqui!" This is Spanish for "We may never get out of here!"

Harding speculates that Nima may be suffering from a parasitic infection like toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis, a disease usually carried by cats, and which can be passed to humans, is caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii.

As Harding is trying to treat her wounds, Nima pushes his hand away, saying, "No! Alejate de mi!" This is Spanish for "No! Stay away from me!"

The bottle that Dr. Harding draws the injection from is labeled "epinephrine". Epinephrine is another name for adrenaline. Likely he has chosen to inject Nima with it to increase her heart rate.

Gate Crashers

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Dr. Harding sees that the young Triceratops called Bakhita is eating Musa callimusa. This is the scientific name of a species of banana plant, which he had previously told Jess these dinosaurs enjoy eating.

Triceratops Trouble

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Back on Track

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The morning after the T. rex-Triceratops battle in "Triceratops Trouble", one of Lady Margaret's horns is seen lying on the ground, though no other evidence of the battle is left. It's possible she survived and has just one horn now. Might this be an homage by the producers of the game to Princess, the one-horned Triceratops that appeared in a number of episodes of the 1990s version of Land of the Lost?

A computer monitor with the brand name Opta-Lite is seen in Dr. Sorkin's lab. This appears to be a fictional brand.

The unseen assistant of Dr. Sorkin in the lab was to have been killed by raptors while investigating the Troodon pens during the power outage, in an episode that was ultimately cut from the game in order to attain a "T for Teen" rating instead of "M for Mature". This explains why Dr. Sorkin refuses to talk about him when asked about it later on in the game, as she was responsible for disobeying Hammond's order to eliminate the too-dangerous Troodons. This missing episode would also have revealed that five raptors had been brought over from Site B to replace the five killed by the lead raptor of the three seen in Jurassic Park.

When Dr. Sorkin accesses the telephone systems database, we see there is a module for the Marine Exhibit as well. The actual Marine Exhibit is visited in Episode 4 of the game, "The Survivors". A marine exhibit has not been seen in any other stories featuring Isla Nublar or Isla Sorna thus far told. However, a marine saurian does appear in the waterways of the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant in Texas in the Redemption mini-series.

When Dr. Sorkin enters the Data module on her computer screen, we see there are three sub-modules inside: FSRV1, FSRV2, and Nedryland. FSRV probably stands for file server.

The bikini girl pin-up found as the Treats module of Nedryland is similar to, but different from, the one seen as a desktop background on Nedry's computer in Jurassic Park.

Dr. Sorkin seems to have figured out that Nedry's "magic word", i.e. his password that has locked Arnold and the others out of the system, is "STUDRY", presumably an egotistical play on his own last name.

When she wakes up in the tour vehicle with Dr. Harding and Jess, Nima asks, "Que haces aqui? Es peligroso!" This is Spanish for "What are you doing here? It's dangerous!"

When she sees the Jurassic Park patch on Dr. Harding's shirt sleeve, Nima exclaims, "Bastardo! Moriras por tus pecados!" This is Spanish for "Bastard! May you die for your sins!"

Noticing Jess for the first time in her delirium, Nima exclaims, "Mariquita...angelito mio..." Mariquita, we later learn, is a nickname for her daughter, Atlanta. "Mariquita" is Spanish for "ladybug". "Angelito mio" is Spanish for "my angel" (however, she should have used "angelita mia" as the feminine form of the phrase since she's referring to a daughter).

Jess says to Nima, "Hola, como estas?" and Nima says, "Tu sabes cuaqio mi esperado..." These sentences are Spanish for "Hello, how are you?" and "You know who I am..."

Nima then asks Jess, "Mariquita? Que pasa, mi amor?" This is Spanish for "Mariquita? What's happening, my love?"

After Jess tells her she needs to rest, Nima says, "Si...si, estoy cansada." This is Spanish for "Yes...yes, I'm tired."

The Visitors Center

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As Dr. Harding carries Nima into the Visitors Center, accompanied by Jess, a helicopter flies overhead. This may be intended as the copter that is evacuating Hammond, Grant, Ellie, Lex, Tim, and Malcolm off of Isla Nublar at the end of Jurassic Park.

When the trio first enters the foyer of the Visitors Center, the dinosaur skeletons are mostly in pieces on the floor, with a few bones dangling from cables on the ceiling. This is an indication that their entrance takes place after the end of Jurassic Park.

Hearing Dr. Harding's description of Nima's bite wounds, Dr. Sorkin asks if the wound is a heterodont bite pattern, which he confirms. "Heterodont" means "different teeth", for vertebrates that have specialized teeth in different parts of the mouth. She also asks him if her eyes have discolored sclera and does she have opsoclonus. Sclera are the whites of the eyes and opsoclonus is uncontrolled eye movement.

Dr. Sorkin, realizing that Nima has been bitten by a Troodon, tells Dr. Harding to administer carfantenil. Carfantanil is an opioid normally intended only for use in tranquilizing large animals. Dr. Harding points this out to Sorkin, but she tells him to trust her on this. This same drug is used to tranquilize the T. rex buck in The Lost World.

T. rex Showdown!

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Dr. Harding repeats the assumption by Dr. Grant in Jurassic Park that T. rex can only see prey that is moving. As pointed out in the novel of The Lost World, this is unlikely to be true of a predator.

After being administered the carfantenil, Nima awakes and asks, "Donde estoy?" This is Spanish for "Where am I?"

When Dr. Harding grabs the tranquilizer rifle out of the tour car, why is it not loaded? We saw him load it in the maintenance shed the night before and he had no reason to have fired it between here and there.

Nima says, "Mardita sea." This is Spanish for "Damn it." 

Memorable Dialog