Falling Skies Season 1 Review

So, with season two just around the corner, I just finished playing catch up on season 1. Between this, Warehouse 13, and Continuum, I'll be reviewing three shows this summer. But for now it's review time. The season aired last summer on TNT and was comprised of ten episodes

In A Nutshell: Falling Skies takes place in a world after a devastating unprovoked alien invasion. The aliens, dubbed "Skitters" as well as their robotic drones called "Mechs" disabled all electronics and mowed down 90% of the human population in a few days. Six months later, they're occupying the Earth and trying to wipe out the remaining humans. The story focuses on the 2nd Massachusetts infantry, specifically 2nd in command Tom Mason (Noah Wyle, Donnie Darko), as they wage a war for freedom on the invaders. Think Independence Day in TV show form. Tom deals with his duties both as a leader and a father of three boys, one of whom is eight, another of whom is in the resistance with him, and the last of whom, Ben, being one of the kids who were kidnapped by the Skitters and used for slave labor by attaching biomechanical harnesses to they're backs that control them.

The Good: There's plenty to like from this show. There are tons of great action scenes that never fall short, and the story is paced just right. We also have some dramatic elements, mostly in the Mason clan brought on by Ben's kidnapping and the death of Tom's wife. To top it off, they use a serialized format (hooray!) and multiple mysteries, plus the occasional twist, as plot devices. Let me say this about the mysteries: there are a bunch going on at once, and they are what kept me hooked. I can't say what they are because that would be spoilers, save for the obvious one of why the aliens came in the first place, but they are compelling, and I'm hoping the plot will thicken even more in season two. Some people who haven't seen might call it a Walking Dead ripoff, but that's not true at all, because the tone is very different: in TWD, it's all just about not dying and trying to find a place where the Walkers won't get you, but in FS, it's more about wanting live and having to fight to do so. Overall, if you're a fan of sci fi, action, or just a good mystery-serial, you won't be let down. Plus, cliffhangers season ending! Woo!

The Bad: Is this the greatest sci fi show or alien invasion thing ever? No, I wouldn't say that just because it isn't, and I don't know how else to say that. It was a bit sappy once or twice, but it wasn't that bad. The CGI is a sort of corny from time to time to, and some of the characters could use a bit more development, but beyond that the season was a good time.

I won't be doing a noteworthy episodes part because a., there were only ten episodes, and b., like I said before, with serials, it all just kind of meshes together in my mind.

Final Rating: 89%