Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What I’m Watching: Falling Skies


Falling Skies: Season 1, Episode 6 “Sanctuary, Part 1” (B+)

In search of more action, there’s nothing like a surprise alien attack right after the arrival of an old friend to get things going. Clayton infuses a bit of much-needed hope and optimism into the show as he signals the presence of a greater group out there that might help in saving the planet. Ironically enough, he’s actually the main reason that they appear to be doomed, as evidenced by the shocking revelation at episode’s end that he is somehow in cahoots with the aliens and has captured Pope of all people to give him intelligence on where the members of the 2nd Massachusetts were holed up. Not everything was hunky-dory back on the ranch before that bit of bad news, as Anne is the victim of a rather frightening mugging at the start of the episode when fearful people take matters into their own hands and steal antibiotics as they make a run for it on their own. We get our first chance to see a walking, talking Ben, whose behavior bothers his brother Hal enough for him to bring it to the attention of an already frazzled Anne. The invocation of the term “razorback” reminds me very much of the “toaster” slang for Cylons on “Battlestar Galactica,” and it’s interesting to see how that’s proving divisive. The episode’s strongest moment by far was the popping of a globe by a skitter, which was both awesome and rather representative of just what the aliens are doing to the inhabitants of the planet Earth.

2 comments:

Greg Boyd said...

I didn't get a chance to review this one, but this show is rapidly beginning to lose me. The dialogue is awful, and while some story elements are compelling the majority of them just don't work. Perhaps we'll find out more about Clayton's motives next week, but for now it just seems like a twist without much thought behind it. And Ben's odd behavior just doesn't interest me.

I appear to be in the minority on this (judging from various reactions I've read, most seem to think this was the best episode yet), but all I can say is that I'm glad "Breaking Bad" is back to take my mind off this disappointing series. I still intend to stick with it for a few weeks, but unless something changes I won't be back for season 2. Glad you're enjoying it, though.

Movies with Abe said...

Well, there's definitely nothing like "Breaking Bad," certainly not on TNT anyway. I'm a little disappointed in the story and pace of this show, but it's the kind of series that I really want to like, so I'm hopeful that it does improve and I'm glad it will be sticking around for another year. Not quite living up to its potential though, for sure.