Mood, plot dominate in ‘Total Recall 2070’

The setting of “Total Recall 2070” reveals a pastiche of influences. In the new Showtime science-fiction series, the latest in plasma screens and surveillance equipment sits atop old wooden desks, in a room of massive concrete pillars and beams. The characters are dressed in surprisingly 20th century clothing.

Borrowing concepts from the the 1990 film, the show paints the 21st century as a brave new world. After a series of environmental and man-made disasters, national boundaries have been dissolved, and six powerful conglomerates known as the Consortium now rule. The local constabulary, The Citizens Protection Bureau, exists to thwart espionage and to serve as a check on the powers of the Consortium.

“Total Recall 2070” focuses on a CPB detective, David Hume, played by Michael Easton (“VR5,” “Ally McBeal”), who looks like a lost Baldwin brother. Hume’s longtime partner is killed by rogue androids early in the 80-minute premiere episode, which airs at 8 p.m. Sunday. (Subsequent episodes will air on Fridays, after “Stargate SG-1.”)

Now Hume is no big fan of androids gone awry. After all, his wife’s father was killed by one, so his hunting down androids puts a serious strain on their relationship.

But as he and his earnest new partner, Ian Farve (played by Karl Pruner), investigate, he finds out the androids were actually victims of an experiment conducted by a scientist at Rekall, the corporation which specializes in virtual-reality vacations and artificial intelligence. An Eastern European immigrant couple and a 12-year-old telepathic boy are also pieces of the puzzle. All the way from Earth to Mars, the two detectives are being constantly hindered by Richard Collector (Nick Mancuso), Rekall’s draconian head of security.

Like another Showtime original, “The Outer Limits,” “Total Recall 2070” has atmosphere to spare. The backdrops bring to mind the movie version of “Blade Runner.” Not surprisingly, both are based on short stories by the visionary sci-fi author Philip K. Dick.

Behind the camera, the series has a talented crew which has been connected to a number of criminally ignored shows, led by creator-writer Art Monterastelli (“High Incident,” “Nowhere Man”), supervising producer Jeff King (“Due South,” “EZ Streets”) and director Mario Azzopardi (“Stargate SG-1,” “The Outer Limits,” “Sliders.”)

Other than the scenery-chewing Mancuso, the cast is generally made up of unknowns. While there are no breakout stars, they manage to flesh out their characters in a show where mood and plot dominate.

Cross “NYPD Blue” with “The X-Files,” and you’ve got “Total Recall 2070.” It’s a strong addition to the growing number of worthwhile sci-fi shows, largely springing up on cable, which is willing to take the chances that the fading networks won’t.