Jess Parker
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| Profession | Field Coordinator |
| Organisations worked for | Anomaly Research Centre |
| Age | 21 |
| Height | 5'4 |
| Hobbies | Buying shoes, fashion, chick lit romantic novels |
| Skills | Ultra-efficient and unflappable in stressful situations |
| Status | Active |
| Appearances | See full list below |
| Actor/Actress | Ruth Kearney |
- "Jess Parker, at your service."
- ―Jess introduces herself
Jessica "Jess" Parker (born ca. 1991), the new field coordinator, though young, displays an outstanding level of organisation and efficiency, providing a stable environment for missions. She also has an outstanding collection of brightly coloured shoes.
Official Description
Pretty, lively, funny, madly self-absorbed, flighty at times, Jess is definitely not as daft as you might first imagine. In fact she’s a fiercely professional and highly competent administrator who likes to hide her skills under a light-hearted facade. When the chips are down Jess is plucky, resourceful and utterly unflappable in the face of danger. But the challenges she faces at the ARC are like nothing she’s ever faced before. It won’t be long before she’s staring death in the face.
Perhaps not quite as confident romantically as she likes to pretend, she nurses a fierce crush on Hilary Becker, though he seemingly remains oblivious despite her efforts. She’s an attractive, witty and impressive young woman, reliable, strong willed and determined to protect her team at all costs. In a crisis, it’s Jess you’d want at your side.
Bio
S4 Prequel Episode 1
When the ARC is revived due to a government-private partnership, Jess is made the new field co-ordinator. SheS4 Prequel Episode 2
At the ARC, Jess shows Becker files about the new team leader, Matt Anderson, as Lester wants him to look it over to see if everything is okay. This intrigues Becker that Lester still chooses the staff as he thought that the ARC was now privately owned. Jess explains that it's "50-50 government and private". He asks if Lester still reports to the Minister rather than "this Nobel Prize winning bloke from Prospero". Jess tells him that he's called Philip Burton and that Lester has to keep both of them happy. When Becker looks through Matt's rather impressive CV, Jess notes that with all the things he's done you'd think he'd be old and crusty but he's young, "fit too" as she adds. Becker looks on and asks if he is the only candidate. Jess asks if he's got to "the bit about Everest", Becker doesn't care much for people who feel the need to boast about things.
Jess insults Becker by saying that if he's going to "put the brakes" on him because he's too good it would be "pretty lame". He insists that he isn't putting the brakes on anybody, Jess says that Matt is perfect for the job as he is ex-military, decorated for heroism and an expert on animal behaviour with countless references. Becker tries to brush off her accusations when she says that someone would think he wouldn't want his boss to be better than him. Becker deduces that she's making fun of him, she chuckles and says she's checking him he can crack a smile, since he does, that means that so far he's better company than a Mammoth. Becker gets the last laugh when he tricks her into thinking she's got something on her face.
S4 Prequel Episode 3
Matt watches a promotional video for Prospero Industries, where CEO Philip Burton explains that Prospero is the future, from bio-medical advances to the very latest in energy and enviromental engineering. He only invests in the best and the brightest, so he's proud to have Matt aboard and he knows he'll be proud of Prospero. Jess comes behind Matt and mouths the end of the video, explaining that she's seen this video with every new recruit this month. But as she notes, he's of course no new recruit, he's the new team leader. Matt tells her that she doesn't have to call him sir, just Matt, he follows her to a place to meet with Becker. He asks her what's Burton like, she says that she's only met him twice, she thought he'd be really scary but he's not at all. She introduces him to the new I.D. tag on his wrist, it matches a reading of his skin, doors scan it to gain entry and it won't work for anyone else if he loses it. Matt asks if Burton has his own office her, Jess says he doesn't but normally uses Lester's if he pops by.
Becker arrives and welcomes Matt who says it's good to meet him. Becker tells Matt that Lester told him he has a problem, Matt explains that he thinks the Special Forces should wear civilian clothes as the uniforms are a bit conspicuous. Becker argues that the uniform promotes unity and gives his men authority in the field. When Matt says that the "big guns" would have the same effect Becker says that the uniforms promote public confidence especially when weapons are involved and neither Nick or Danny had a problem with them. Matt decides that the will talk about it later but first asks him to show him around. Becker agrees and decides to show him around the armoury, as Becker leaves, Jess wishes Matt luck and assures him that Becker is nice really.
S4 Prequel Episode 4
Matt and Jess are walking together when Becker catches up with them, he asks Matt if it's true he's ordered non-lethal weapons. Matt isn't very bothered with Becker's shock and asks Jess for three shelfs for his plants. Becker says the team need real guns, saying they aren't collecting for a petting zoo, warning the creatures aren't just interesting they're also deadly. Matt assures him that he knows, Becker asks if he knows what happens when they cut corners, people get hurt, people die. Matt tells him to just give the new weapons a chance, saying that he might be plesantly surprised. Matt leaves saying that he'll see them both at the meeting, Jess assures Becker that he's alright, but Becker doesn't trust him and promises the rest of the team won't either.
Matt makes a speech to the ARC staff, introducing himself to those he hasn't met. He explains that for the last couple of days Becker has been bending his ear on every detail on the operation to make sure that everyone is looked after, Matt assures everyone that their safety, even the safety of Becker, is his top priority. He describes how their jobs are demanding, dangerous, how they put their lives on the line to protect the public everytime the alarm goes off. There's no room for errors and there's no time for on the job training. He says that with all of that in mind, some new policies are being implimented, all new field operatives will be stricly military or from a military background, safety will come first, there will be no more civilian recruiting.
He notes that during the past few months, some staff have been testifying to the last mission of the old ARC, but now the investigation is officially wrapped up, Abby Maitland, Connor Temple and Danny Quinn have been pronounced missing, presumbed dead. But Matt makes it clear that it means absolutely nothing, over the years the ARC has lost many briliant people such as Nick Cutter, Stephen Hart and most recently Sarah Page. As far as Matt is concerned, this doesn't included Abby, Connor and Danny, saying that they could still be out there fighting to stay alive and to make it home. As Matt says, he never had the chance to work with them, but he hopes that someday he will. He announces that his first act as new team leader is to reject the government's findings, making it clear that he isn't giving up on the missing trio. Jess hopes that this will make Becker change his view on Matt.
S4 Prequel Episode 5
Becker and Matt take a look at new handheld tracking units given to them by Jess, Matt notes their rather large size, Jess explains that they collect data on the anomalies and are part of the new comm system and with these, she can monitor and record everything they say while out in the field. When Matt asks if it's necessary, Becker says of course it is as if they get into trouble, it will be known about it immediately. Matt asks if these will only be on during an alert, Jess tells him that Lester wants them on at all times just in case. When Jess says that the device will stop feeding back when they go through an anomaly, Becker asks why that is an issue as the policy is strict, no one goes through no matter what reason, everyone has been briefed and everyone knows the rules. As he leaves, Jess says to Matt that she wasn't saying that anyone should go through, Matt explains that he knows but he'll calm down soon.
Episode 4.1
Episode 4.2
- "Yes, okay. You're... brilliant."
- ―Becker after Jess was right
Jess is talking with Becker when the both see Connor taking a final look at the ARC after the announcement he is fired. She invites him to her place, and when Connor, shocked by her trusting behaviour, reminds her she doesn't know him, she answers "I've read the files. I know you". Later, she gives the tour to Abby who is beginning her work at the menagerie. Jess gives her her bio tag ID and leads her to her new workplace. When Abby tries to access a computer as Connor is calling her, Jess comes to give her access, informing her of the system shut down in case of an unauthorized person accessing the system. Abby gone, she sees Matt accessing the same computer and going. Before he does, she asks him to keep his black box turned on and to bring her some chocolate, "nothing with orange though, that's just weird". She confides in Becker about her doubts in Matt, feeling like she doesn't know him, even though she has "read his file backwards". Becker asks her about reading personal files and she admits having read everyone's file as part of her job, with an awkward moment about Becker's file about his relationship status. She goes back to Matt checking the computer right after Abby and Becker brushes her off, trusting Matt. Despite his order, Jess tracks Matt and finds him at the docks. She warns Becker, but he only believes her about something bad happening when she tells him that both Abby and Matt are at the docks and Matt isn't answering his phone, and that Matt's weird pattern of movement looks like he's chasing something. Becker accepts to go after them, but admits she's brilliant before leaving, as she is leaving massive hints. When Matt finally answers, she tells him about the whereabouts of the creature, the measures she has taken concerning the port and the coastguards and that Becker is already on his way.
When they all come back, she asks Matt about her chocolate, but gets flustered when it's Becker who actually gives her some. Abby notices it, and Jess tries to brush it off. She proposes Abby and Connor to move in her place. As she welcomes them her in her place, she asks to know everything about the people they know at the ARC, before noticing with them she asked about Becker twice. She tries to conceal that fact by complaining about the lack of information in the files.
Episode 4.3
When an anomaly opens up in a theatre, Jess informs the team that there has already been one fatality, so far. This makes Becker angry, and the team instantly head over to the theatre, in order to deal with the situation. After dealing with several vicious Tree Creepers, the team heads back to the ARC. However, little do they know that, back at the ARC, Jess is caught in a very serious crisis. Connor, while working for Philip, accidentally left Rex to be loose inside the lockdown room. Philip rushes into the room to quarantine him, but is then locked inside the room, along with Rex. Soon, Jess and Connor then learn that the air is being sucked out of the room, and that Philip only has 20 minutes left, before he loses consciousness. After several agonizing minutes, Connor finally figures out the password which is designed to "unlock" Lockdown. He manages to release the walls, letting air back into the room. Connor tries to congratulate Jess about her job, but she shrugs it off, being in a hurry to rescue Philip and Rex. In the end, medics are sent in with oxygen tanks, and, eventually, both Rex and Philip are now safe. And it is all thanks to Connor, whom got tons and tons of help from Jess.
Episode 4.4
- "These creatures are too dangerous. I've just been handed a major reality check."
- ―It's not fun after watching someone die
Episode 4.5
An anomaly alarms blares on and off, so Jess let Connor briefly take control of the ADD. When Matt, Abby and Connor are sent on site, she searches for any sign of Emily after her disappearance. She shows Lester a CCTV footage in which they can see Ethan kidnapping Emily, and, seeing that Becker is still on medical leave, the civil servant asks her to tell Matt about their discovery, without Philip knowing about it. Jess asks Matt back, leaving Connor and Abby to take care of the incursion, but Philip decides then to use the ADD for himself, rending Jess unable to help Matt through his mission. When Philip finds back the anomaly, he and Lester put Jess in a rough point, the first one wanting Connor to study the anomaly while the second one prioritize the containment of the incursion. She complies with Lester's orders, even though Philip goes over his authority and asks Connor to go to the anomaly.
Jess is forced to keep an eye on Philip and Matt, all the while keeping watch on Abby and Connor. She also finds out she has two signals from Mat's black boxes. Lester offers his help. Seeing her doubtful expression about him using computers and radio, he says "if [she] can manage it, how hard can it be?". Nevertheless, he is forced to call her back when he can't hear Matt. Milking it, Jess tells him "it helps when you put the volume up". Offended, he announces that "sarcasm won't get [her] promoted" to what she answers that it obviously "must have worked for [him]". Lester then becomes "the new Jess" while Jess can take care of the official mission.
Episode 4.6
- Becker: "Go now!"
- Jess: "I'm not leaving you."
- ―Jess isn't going to leave her crush to die
Picture This
Jess teams up with Becker to deal with a Tyrannosaurus Rex in an art gallery.
Episode 4.7
Jess waited impatiently as Connor used his new Dating Calculator, complaining that she was getting older. When it was supposedly 1867, she impulsively told Emily who walked away, but a Terror Bird came through, meaning it was off by a few million years. Abby and Becker encountered another anomaly and Jess couldn't detect it. Connor later proved the anomaly was actually two forced into a merge, explaining the undetectable anomalies and the wrong date on the Dating Calculator. Jess told Emily, who wasn't sure if she should go home, and Jess said they could arrange for her to live in the present. Connor later asked Jess where Philip was and she told him he'd just left, but didn't know what was going on.
Episode 5.1
Jess was contacted by Lester who wanted her help finding his way out of a traffic jam. She later called back to tell him that the Cabinet Office had wanted to talk to him about a knighthood, which was presumably for him. He then asked her to look into a possible creature attack at the roadworks he was stuck in, and intercepted calls mentioning a creature, so she sounded the alert. Later she intercepted another call from a cookout where a man had been dragged underground by a Large Burrowing Insect. She told Lester, though he was more preoccupied with his meeting. Jess later heard over the black boxes that Connor had been taken by the creature, and informed Lester, who assured her that Matt would find him. Later they listened in on the operation to destroy the creature's nest, and sympathysed for the fact that the knighthood was actually for Philip. Once the crisis was over, she told Connor that April Leonard was waiting in his lab.
Episode 5.2
Jess took down the coordinates of a new anomaly in the North Sea, and recieved a call for Lester from the Admiralty. She oversaw the submarine with the team onboard made its way to the anomaly, and could only watch as the mission fell apart as the sub was pulled through the anomaly. She was worried as a Navy Admiral decided to attempt blowing up the anomaly using another submarine. She reluctantly followed his orders to secure comms to the sub. As the nuclear torpedo was launched, the team's sub returned and sealed the anomaly.
Episode 5.3
Jess oversaw the team's response to an anomaly, and when they accidentally sent a raptor through to the Victorian era Jess looked into Spring-Heeled Jack, the name for a murderer they assumed the raptor to be back then. She found that in another month following the creature would kill another dozen people, prompting Matt to go and retrieve it. She later reassured Abby that Connor still cared about her despite his work, and when Abby asked if Jess thought that she should lie to him and do something he wouldn't like for his own good, she noted that lying was usually the begining of the end. Abby later asked to use Jess' computer terminal, and she complied when assured that she wouldn't regret it. When Matt and Becker returned to the ARC with Emily, Jess was glad to see her back, having figured she would return someday.
Episode 5.4
Episode 5.5
Jess was present when Matt admitted to everyone that he was from the future trying to stop a catastrophe, and ultimately Philip. Jess directed the team's movements as they dealt with a Tyrannosaurus in the middle of the city. When several anomalies began opening all over the world as part of the convergence, she set about bringing in aEpisode 5.6
Jess and Lester were in the ARC that trying to make sense of the situation and contact the others. After an EMP caused by Philip's anomaly caused the power to go off in the ARC, Jess activated the emergency power. After telling Lester she had no new news, she feared that everyone was dead and that it was the end of the world, though Lester was doubtful. As Lester decided to get them some whisky, Jess noticed that there were mutated future predators in the ARC's hub, having come through Connor's reopened anomaly. Lester told her not to makeCreatures Encountered
- Columbian Mammoth
- Dracorex
- Tyrannosaurus Rex
- Future Beetles
- Future Beetle Queen
- Rex
- Mutated Future Predators
Appearances
Canonical
- S4 Prequel Episode 1 (first appearance)
- S4 Prequel Episode 2
- S4 Prequel Episode 3
- S4 Prequel Episode 4
- S4 Prequel Episode 5
- Episode 4.1
- Episode 4.2
- Episode 4.3
- Episode 4.4
- Episode 4.5
- Episode 4.6
- Picture This
- Episode 4.7
- Episode 5.1
- Episode 5.2
- Episode 5.3
- Episode 5.4
- Episode 5.5
- Episode 5.6
Trivia
- Jess is the second Primeval character to have a phobia of insects; the first is Sarah Page.
- Jess is the first Primeval character to have a known allergy.
- She and Lester are the only ARC staff to have never enterned an anomaly.
Source
| Series 4 Prequel Webisodes Characters |
|---|
| Matt Anderson • Hilary Becker • James Lester • Jess Parker • Gideon Anderson |
| Series 4 Main Characters |
|---|
| Connor Temple • Abby Maitland • Hilary Becker • James Lester • Philip Burton • Matt Anderson • Jess Parker • Gideon Anderson • Emily Merchant • Patrick Quinn |
| Series 5 Characters |
|---|
| Matt Anderson • Connor Temple • Abby Maitland • Hilary Becker • Jess Parker • James Lester • Philip Burton • Emily Merchant • April Leonard |
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