Falling Skies S1 E10: Eight Hours

"I want you to think about where we are. Battles of Lexington and Concord were fought not too far from here. Small force of colonists against the entire might of the British Empire. Nobody gave them much of a chance either. Patrick Henry called it. 'The battle is not to the strong alone. It is to the vigilant, the active and the brave.' A small, disciplined militia can not only hold out against a larger force but drive it back because they're fighting for what rightfully belongs to them. This is our home, our world. So remember that if they come."

Close encounters of the third and not so friendly kind aside, Falling Skies, Season One, Episode 10, Eight Hours is a bit awkward in execution and maybe doesn't quite deliver the expectations of an epic season finale, but on a limited budget, in relative terms, it still has its moments and closes the deal on what was a fine season of science fiction TV. 

Eight Hours also propels the story forward for Season Two with the departure of Tom Mason taking the previously abducted Karen's hand and boarding the alien ship with one of those tall, lanky salamander type aliens. Again, not a perfect finale by any stretch considering the build that preceded it, but still a solid little closing to an impressive first season.

The soldiers move closer to Boston further underscoring the series unique setting and the guerilla-like fight against the aliens.

One of the better sci-fi components of the entry involves the previously-harnessed Rick running into the woods. He finds a harnessed girl who is much deeper into Skitter transformation. Her skin is discolored and her face is changing. The girl from Sanctuary (Part One) (S1, E6) represents the sci-fi concepts of physical transformation or body horror. These elements have been explored in Doctor Who (The Ark In Space) (1975) to cinema with films like Pandorum (2009) or District 9 (2009).

Falling Skies delves nicely into the idea of being between worlds through these transformations. With his harness now removed Rick is rejected by the Skitters, but he is also shunned as other by humankind. He is in effect in limbo and lost. The Ben character too is in a similar place with some of humanity rejecting his alien changes. He writhes in pain after being affected by a frequency. Rick and Ben are something beyond human. These aspects of the series present ambiguity and grey areas that add to its thoughtful science fiction elements.

Eight hours is the time until night falls and the charges must be deployed on the alien hive ship.

To inspire the troops Tom transforms into full-on professor mode noting the battles of Concorde and Lexington against the might of the British Empire. Tom quotes founding father Patrick Henry ("give me liberty or give me death") who noted the potential might of a few. "The battle is not to the strong alone. It is to the vigilant, the active and the brave.  A small disciplined militia cannot only hold out against a larger force, but drive it back, because they're fighting for what rightfully belongs to them. This is our home - our world. So remember that if they come." These words echo the fight of any free nation battling an aggressor on a respective homeland. Ukraine's fight against the Russians in 2022 is a perfect modern example. There are many examples. The Vietnamese worked to repel Americans from Vietnam, while Americans repelled the British during the American Revolutionary War (roughly 1775-1783).

Weaver orders Hal to return to the school base and notify the others that the 4th and 5th are gone.  In effect, Hal Mason is Paul Revere warning the civilian militias through the streets of Massachusetts that the aliens are coming, the aliens are coming. My now fully grown Boy Wonder noted that excellent point.

The human fighting force employs bullets crafted from downed mecha to aid in the fight. Samples of the proto-molecule were eventually used in the hull of the Rocinante in The Expanse (2015-2022). The use of alien tech and alien ware has forever been an aspect of science fiction invention.

The season finale delivers its mightiest special effects since Live And Learn (E1) and it's understandable the costs involved in a production of this size with genuine external location shooting.  A ground's eye view of the alien structure is truly imposing and looks remarkable.

The final scenes echo a kind of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) on a smaller, more intimate less grand Spielbergian scale or better The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951). We learn about the impact of the harness on children even after removal. The kids are still influenced as a biological change has already occurred in them. Eight Hours delivers a thrilling, stellar sci-fi cliffhanger that rounds out a solid ten episode first season.

I can only note that Season Two furthers the story and delivers another solid ten episodes for the Falling Skies series. When it comes to science fiction escape this TNT series is impressive and consistent in its quality. The channel's recent Snowpiercer (2020-present) effort is delivering those same engaging, storytelling qualities having been passed the baton. But if you haven't seen Falling Skies it is a consistently strong science fiction yarn that holds up to repeat viewing. And unlike those laborious eight hour work shifts this particular Eight Hours flies.

Writer: Mark Verheiden. Director: Greg Beeman.

Falling Skies S1 E9: Mutiny

"The aliens can't kill us fast enough, we have to do it for them?"

"Unless we stick together and fight the aliens as a group we're as good as dead."

The opening shots where survivors of the 2nd Massachusetts watch a cartoon film and laugh and express joy amidst dark days is one of pure Spielbergian-like magic. With Spielberg's executive production credit and the spirit of his guiding hand it's clear there is an inspiration here lending itself to what amounts to a very professional affair as science fiction TV series go.

I once wondered if Falling Skies had the potential to reach a larger audience as a science fiction. The fact viewership resulted in a modest affair with gradual degradation in those numbers over five years was unfortunate. This is a series big on character interaction and human drama, a slow burn at times perhaps, but one that continues to develop and satisfy with every intimate, but cinematic-looking entry. Kids, adults, families laugh together in one of those moments of pure relief amidst the alien apocalypse. What Falling Skies did right and did well was, yes, sometimes capture humanity at its worst, but with equal amounts of time displaying humanity at its best, a rare thing today, as we see demonstrated here in Falling Skies, Season One, Episode 9, Mutiny.

The overarching concern of body transformation hangs in the air for the spine-spiked son of Tom Mason. Ben's state continues to infuse elements of horror into the science fiction saga. Further the science fiction elements continue to be explored through the character and other elements that evolve surrounding the alien physiology and mythology. Despite harness removal Ben is clearly still connected to the Skitters on a biological level in a hive-like capacity. "I don't know what I am."

In District 9 (2009), Wikus van de Merwe is tainted by a kind of alien goo and forced to transform into an alien "prawn." Ben's existence echoes fears of that physical transformation.

Mutiny is indeed threatening as Tom continues to joust with Dan Weaver over "responsibility." The title intentionally reflects the focus on humanity's failing within the entry of which we must overcome if we are to survive.

Drug elements interfere with the episode's story as well to further complicate matters. Science fiction seems to delight in exploring aspects of drug addiction by substance abusers (think Babylon 5) and the viewers are none the better for it with what is a truly tired convention (for me).

John Pope, played by Colin Cunningham (Stargate SG-1), delivers one of the more interesting character arcs by way of the human face of villainy. "Do you actually think for a second that humankind has even a hope in hell in this war to end all wars?" The dynamic explored between Pope and Maggie is also a mystery and intrigues as first established in The Armory (S1 E2).

Weaver concedes to the wisdom of Porter selecting Mason to be second-in-command (S1 E1 Live And Learn).

The entry closes as the 2nd Mass prepares for a battle that feels dramatically like the last stand.

Mutiny stays on task and focused regarding the subject of its title and the character growth is indeed solid as the series moves toward the Season finale with this solid penultimate affair. Thankfully, writer Joe Weisberg brings his character grasp and dramatic sensibilities to the emotional charge at the core of Falling Skies building us to the season climax.

Writer: Joe Weisberg (The Americans). Director: Holly Dale.

Falling Skies S1 E8: What Hides Beneath

"We're taking this fight to them."

The biggest sci-fi reveal regarding what lies beneath in Falling Skies, Season One, Episode 8, What Hides Beneath is the harness buried deep within a skitter suggests the skitters themselves may not have always originally been skitters. The suggestion that harnessed kids will ultimately transform into skitters lends the series a bit of the old body horror concepts. These ideas have been mined to great effect in television (Doctor Who's The Ark In Space; okay maybe bubble wrap is not the best example) and film (Pandorum, District 9). Through the character of Ben Mason the transformation by the harness has manifested itself in physical attributes regarding strength even if appearances, apart from the Godzilla-like ridges on his back, seem rather normal. His endurance and is greater than that of the average human being.  The harness has had a significant effect on Ben Mason's stamina and pain receptors around the localized spike remnants.

The entry also underscores the fact that the harness appears to impact each child differently. How and why appear to be undetermined. For example, Ben informs Rick he hates the Skitters, but Rick confides in him the Skitters will return for them demonstrating a loyalty to the aliens following his harnessing.

The episode also begins to lay the groundwork for the season finale as the 2nd Massachusetts plans to take the war to the immense structure looming above them in the skyline.

What Hides Beneath moves us away from the dark, two-part territory of human betrayal that was Sanctuary and marches the human resistance toward the alien fight and season finale.

Alongside understanding the effect and impact on human physiology by the alien harnesses members of the 2nd Massachusetts make efforts to understand the alien weapons tech (making penetrating bullets from confiscated alien metal) as well as the structural integrity of the massive alien vessel as they prepare for a confrontation.

Upping the science fiction elements of the Falling Skies series What Hides Beneath introduces a new alien species overseeing the Skitters. Tall, lanky, alien creatures are spotted giving instruction to the Skitter workers.

Like the villain of Terry Clayton, Blair Brown (Fringe) guests as Sonja, a human interloper in cahoots with the alien insurrection, furthering the component of human betrayal rank within humanity. I'm reminded of the unhealthy divisions happening across the country by media and corporate interests today.

A Skitter is dissected to discover what lies or hides beneath. As they dig deep they discover a harness and the realization the Skitters may in fact have been something other than Skitters once upon a time. It appears the transformation process is happening to Earth children.

The episode reveals Weaver lost his daughter in an effort to remove a harness and his rage is fueled by revenge while Tom Mason's journey is one of hope.

The men spot a harnessed Karen Nadler with the lanky aliens. She is serving her alien masters and working with the human turncoats.

What Hides Beneath provides viewers a touch of mystery and intrigue for Falling Skies.  What were the Skitters once upon a time?  What are we to make of this new alien species?  What lies beneath the formerly-harnessed Rick and Ben for their future? Falling Skies continues to leave us intrigued with the proceedings with equal parts drama and action.

Why are the aliens here? What do they want? Are they merely world conquerors? Sanctuary may have been short on aliens, but What Hides Beneath more than compensates giving us one of the most enticing sci-fi heavy episodes of the season, the first of four written by Mark Verheiden.

Writer: Mark Verheiden (Battlestar Galactica).

Director: Anthony Hemingway (Battlestar Galactica, True Blood).