"Love and Other Acts of Courage" drive Falling Skies

This week's installment of TNT's Falling Skies, "Love and Other Acts of Courage," sees a huge sea change for the show. The alien I nicknamed Scar in my previous review, but is now being referred to as Red Eye by the show's PR materials, is actually a good guy, who would like to team up with the human resistance! Viewers and the soldiers barely have time to digest this fact before the 2nd Mass must flee an attack, and Red Eye escapes from them, his captors and would-be killers.

In retrospect, this turn of events makes sense. We previously learned that the Skitters, or at least some of them, have been harnessed. Ben (Connor Jessup), and especially Rick (Daniyah Ysrayl), continue to show some loyalty to their former alien masters. Red Eye is observed not killing Ben, Tom (Noah Wyle), and other humans on multiple occasions. And yet, with the scary look the production crew gives to Red Eye, it is somehow still surprising when he reveals his gentle nature.

Unfortunately, Falling Skies is still struggling with some weaknesses in writing and / or editing. Tom switches his loyalties too quickly, as does Captain Weaver (Will Patton). Ben runs off constantly without talking to anyone about it, and last time fans saw Rick, he was outright hostile towards the humans, yet now, he's a friend. Why does the 2nd Mass keep putting up with Ben's behavior? Will who trusts who, and the reasons why, become more clear? When taken as a whole, it doesn't all quite add up, even as the show just drops the plot points on you and moves on.

One thing that "Love and Other Acts of Courage" continues is to build suspense about the stakes of the battle, a highpoint thus far in season two. A number of characters have been lost or killed off. Jimmy's (Dylan Authors) recent death is pretty unexpected, as is Rick's this week. With Pope (Colin Cunningham) MIA, and not returning as quickly as expected, it seems like anything could happen to anyone at any time (unless their last name is Mason). Which means that Weaver and his harness creature-infected leg could be in danger.

Will the humans learn to trust the rebellious Skitters? Will the 2nd Mass accept help? Will the army in Charleston prove to be real, and if so, how will Weaver, Tom, and the others adjust to taking orders from someone who hasn't gone through exactly what they have? So much about the war is done right that it outweighs the negatives, overall.

Falling Skies also does the romance pretty decently, taking it slow enough to be realistic, but fast enough to not frustrate shipper fans. Tom and Anne's (Moon Bloodgood) relationship continues to grow and deepen, but it's kind of nice that most of those developments happen off screen, and what is seen is small and sweet. Their disappearing into a hospital room in this episode satisfies those waiting for something to happen, but avoids intruding on their privacy.

Hal (Drew Roy) and Maggie (Sarah Carter), too, stay away from prying eyes, though viewers get something to talk about in "Love and Other Acts of Courage." When Maggie brings up Karen (Jessy Schram), it looks like she might sabotage whatever spark is lit. But then Hal overcomes that, and it's Maggie that pulls away. Thankfully, the circumstances of her injury and his rescue of her should push them along enough to avoid a "will they, won't they" struggle of several years.

With blossoming love and surprise allies, "Love and Other Acts of Courage" stands out as a strong entry for Falling Skies. The real reason that the show works is the human factor, presenting characters who are inspiring and relatable. How cool is it that one of those characters, Red Eye, is an alien, especially one that looks so different from people? Barely halfway through the second season, I can't wait to see where it goes next!

Watch Falling Skies Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com. If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Originally posted as "Love and Other Acts of Courage" drive Falling Skies on TheTVKing.com

Falling Skies threatens "Mutiny" before the last "Eight Hours"

     This week, TNT's Falling Skies brings season one to a close with two episodes. The first, "Mutiny," deals mainly with Weaver's (Will Patton) ability to command, and the doubts Tom (Noah Wyle) has about Weaver's mental stability. Of course, those sort themselves out, and "Eight Hours" concerns an offensive against the aliens. Ben (Connor Jessup) proves essential when he realizes he can help Scott (Bruce Gray) find the aliens' radio frequency, jamming their communications. This gets the invaders' attention, but instead of wiping out the 2nd Mass, they just take Tom, supposedly to better 'understand' their opponents. 

     Falling Skies is one of those shows with moments of greatness, but often falls flat in its attempt to achieve the grand scale. Over all it is a pretty decent series, but not one of the all time greats. This is beautifully illustrated in "Mutiny" with the Weaver problem. Here we have a commander who is taking pills and making bad decisions. Tom determines Weaver must be removed, obviously. But then, in a confrontation, for some reason, Tom doesn't make Weaver explain himself. He just wants Weaver to let them get behind him. What? Weaver mentions he's off the pills, and other than a shaking hand, that's the last we hear of it. Weaver gives everyone the facts, and his plans continue.

     Admittedly, Weaver's plan is one that the 2nd Mass is desperate enough to attempt. Tom's insistence that they know what they are up against is a sound one. But there isn't enough resolution or explanation. From the point where Tom and the others are ready to relieve Weaver of command, to everyone getting along again comes too easily, and without enough realism. In truth, Weaver should be removed at that point. Tom can take over and present the same situation Weaver does, or even allow Weaver to do it as a mouthpiece, but Weaver is done. Surely Tom has lost faith in the commander. What does Weaver possibly do to gain that trust back? Interestingly, Patton is so good, these missteps are quickly forgotten about in the second hour.

     In "Eight Hours," the only real weak point centers around the attack on the tower. Isn't it odd that every face that goes with a name for the viewers is in Weaver's group, while the other three groups are completely wiped out? And then, somehow, all of those names survive, save one introduced only recently in "Mutiny." This is a suicide mission, and lots of men don't make it back. But the half dozen we know survive?Falling Skies has already killed off recognizable faces, but when the chips are down and the stakes are high, they back off from taking out any others. Missed opportunity. The impact would be higher with an emotionally moving death scene.

     There are plenty of characters that I could go on about in this review, from Tom's interactions with his children, to Anne's (Moon Bloodgood) stolen kiss with Tom, to Margaret (Sarah Carter) and Jimmy's (Dylan Authors) new bond. Yet, the only relationship that is really intriguing, so much so that it still evokes musings a day after watching, is how Pope (Colin Cunningham) fits into the group. And with only limited time to get this review of Falling Skies done, that seems the place to focus, so I apologize if I'm skipping a beloved favorite.

     You see, Pope is a very bad man as a rebel and hunter, who is forced to become a cook after capture by the 2nd Mass. He escapes, causes some trouble, but then comes to the rescue of some kids, proving he is not without heart or redeemable qualities. He returns to the 2nd Mass, and helps them prepare for the final battle, seemingly becoming a team player. Yet, none of this is entirely out of character. His change of heart likely stems from the fact that he is involved in fighting aliens now, and as long as the 2nd Mass lets him work to that purpose, he can play nice. It may be that Pope led brutes and let them get away with their awful behavior to keep them loyal, rather than being a total tool himself. Granted, what Pope allows to happen to Margaret during her tenure with him is unforgivable. But that doesn't mean he can't be useful and get along when he needs to.

     Finally, the nagging questions about the aliens may begin to be answered by the intriguing cliffhanger. Harnessed Karen (Jessy Schram) approaches Tom and forces him to get on the alien ship. Tom does it to protect his son, Ben, who is maybe turning into a skitter? Anyway, this new interaction will likely give Tom a chance to save Ben from metamorphosis, as well as shine light into what the aliens are doing on Earth. Unless they harness Tom, too, which could be interesting, considering Tom is the central hero. Though no adults have been harnessed up to this point, and that may prove to be impossible.

     Falling Skies can go any number of ways from here, and only the writers know what direction the series will take when season two resumes next summer. Hopefully, given a second season, the weaknesses will be ironed out, and the strengths played to.  There is real potential present.


    Falling Skies will return next summer to TNT.

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Article first published as TV Review: Falling Skies - "Mutiny" and "Eight Hours" on Blogcritics.

Falling Skies premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. on TNT

     TNT's newst drama is Falling Skies. Produced by Steven Spielberg, it is the story of a group of humans trying to survive six months after the Earth has been taken over by aliens, All the major cities and military bases have been destroyed, most of the population is dead. Survivors band together, but are forced to split up, as large gatherings attract unwanted attention from the new rulers of the planet. The fight seems hopeless, as the 2nd Massachusetts, which comprises all of the main characters of the show, packs up to leave Boston. Sunday's two hour premiere begins at 9 p.m., and will not only introduce the main characters, but also set up a few arcs.

     Leading the 2nd is Weaver (Will Patton, 24, The Agency), a tough as tacks military man not very baby with being tasked to protect the civilians. Luckily for them, Weaver's second in command is former history professor and widower, Tom Mason (Noah Wyle, ER, The Librarian movies). Tom cares very much about others, including his three sons, one of whom has been taken by the aliens. The aliens are enslaving teenagers with some kind of mechanical harness, and Tom is determined to find and rescue his middle son, Ben (Connor Jessup, The Saddle Club).

     Also working for the second are Dai (Peter Shinkoda, I, Robot), Anthony (Mpho Koahu), and child soldier Jimmy (Dylan Authors, Connor Undercover). Tom's oldest son, Hal (Drew Roy, Hannah Montana, Greek), and his girlfriend, Karen (Jessy Schram, Life, Unstoppable), are scouts. Their pairing is threatened by medical student Lourdes (Seychelle Gabriel, Weeds), who shares an interest in Hal.

     The doctor for the small group is a pediatrician, who lost almost her entire family, named Anne Glass (Moon Bloodgood, Terminator Salvation, Day Break). Anne's surviving relatives are her aunt Kate (Lynne Deragon) and uncle Scott (Bruce Gray, Medium, Traders), the latter of whom starts a school to educate the children, including Tom's youngest, Matt (Maxim Knight).

     In the first two hours, the 2nd leaves Boston, knowing the city is lost, and looks for supplies. On their way, they encounter a group of rebels led by the notorious John Pope (Collin Cunningham, Da Vinci's Inquest, Stargate SG-1). Pope would like to get his hands on some of the 2nd's bigger weapons, and will stop at nothing to do so.

     The series evokes AMC's The Walking Dead, because of the conflicting personalities banding together to try to find some place to live, as well as defeating the seemingly unstoppable menace that now has control of their world. Not everyone is willing to help each other, and those that act out of selfishness threaten the existence of everyone. But there's also some of Battlestar Galactica's dark tones and conquered planet, as well as Terminator Salvation's underground army. It's really a compilation of a bunch of different stories, that results in something new and fresh. After watching only two hours, I am hooked.

    Be sure to tune in to TNT this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET for the two hour premiere of Falling Skies.

    If you are anxious to get a taste of the series, a sixteen chapter prequel comic book is available to view now on the official web site.

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