This is Not My Life was a Science Fiction TV series made in New Zealand in 2013.
A man named Alec Ross lived a normal family life in a futuristic community called Waimoana, until an accidental blow to the head left him with amnesia; while his memories slowly return, he begins discovering clues that they are false, and eventually realizes there's a conspiracy behind his entire community.
The show only lasted one season and ended without the plot being officially resolved. There were rumors that ABC was considering buying the rights for an American remake, though.
The original series can be seen on Hulu.
This is Not My Life contains examples of the following tropes:
- After the End: Possibly. Some characters referred to the world outside Waimoana as "a mess", one lots of people voluntereed to leave even though it required the complete erasure of their memories. Still, there's at least one big corporation still running, so it's more likely to be a cyberpunk type setting.
- Big Brother Is Watching You: The populace of Waimoana is constantly tracked (via implanted chips) and watched (by their TV screens!)
- Corrupt Corporate Executive: The board members of the company that runs Waimoana. Some are more corrupt than others, thought. Harry Sheridan, John's father, was one of them.
- Cut Short: Due to cancellation. It ends with John replaced by the original Alec Ross, Jessica having her memory erased (but John left her his notes) and John escapes Waimoana with his daughter after arranging to be given Foster's identity. And some people, presumably Recall, coming to pick them up.
- Easy Amnesia: Both from brainwashings and (in Alec's case) a blow to the head while trying to change a lightbulb.
- Note that the blow-to-the-head thing might just have been a cover story while he adapted to his new surroundings. That was the case with Jessica.
- Happiness Is Mandatory: The whole basis of Waimoana. Some people pay to get it.
- Criminals in death row can also choose this option. Jessica was one of them.
- La Résistance: Recall, the "terrorists" who attack Waimoana. In truth, they try to rescue people and return them to their old lives, especially children."Alec" is their former leader.
- Love Triangle: Alec is "married" to Callie, but loves Jessica; who is loved by Gourdy; meanwhile it turns out Alec was (before his amnesia) having an affair with his boss' wife. To make an even bigger mess, eventually the 'real' Alec Ross shows up, looking for Callie! Also, John's former wife is apparently still alive.
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Paranoia Fuel: Brainwashings, constant surveillance, kidnappings, executions, torture... yeah. - Shout-Out: To The Prisoner and 1984.
- The name John Sheridan might be a reference to Babylon 5
- 20 Minutes into the Future: Set in the 2020's.
- Utopia Justifies the Means: What several characters in the show believe. Waimoana seems to be a model for what the future of humanity will be.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Several characters. Dr.Wells, of Wellness (the town's medical facility) is in charge of the brainwashings and was OK with them; however she was not aware of what happened to those who were sent back out of the community (they were killed) and disapproved when she found about it. Meanwhile Richard Foster, head of security, also believes in the cause but is willing to torture and kill for it.
