Genre: Sci-Fi | Action | Drama
Air Date/Time: Sunday, July 15 at 9/8c
Network: TNT
Created by: Robert Rodat
Written by: Bryan Oh
Directed by: Greg Beeman
Summary:
Falling Skies chronicles the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. In the nine months since the initial invasion, the few remaining survivors have banded together outside major cities to begin the difficult task of fighting back. Each day is a test of survival as citizen soldiers work to protect the people in their care while also engaging in an insurgency campaign against the occupying alien force, whose nature and purpose remains a mystery.
As the second season of Falling Skies opens, three months have passed since Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) went willingly with the aliens in one of their ships. Nobody has seen or heard from him during this time, and his absence has taken its toll on his sons. Tom hoped that by agreeing to a dialogue with the invaders, he would not only free his son Ben from the invaders’ influence but also get a better picture of the aliens’ overall plan.
Moon Bloodgood (Terminator Salvation) also stars as Anne Glass, a pediatrician who works with the survivors to help them cope with the traumatic upheaval in their lives. Will Patton (Armageddon, TNT’s Into the West) plays Weaver, a fierce military leader of the resistance and Tom’s commanding officer. The series also stars Drew Roy (Secretariat) as Hal, Tom’s oldest son and a growing fighter in the resistance movement; Maxim Knight (Brothers & Sisters) as Matt, Tom’s youngest son; Connor Jessup (The Saddle Club) as Ben, Tom’s son who was captured by aliens and has since returned to the group; and Seychelle Gabriel (Weeds) as Lourdes, an orphaned pre-med student who helps Anne in the group’s makeshift medical clinic. Mpho Koaho (Rookie Blue) and Peter Shinkoda (The L Word) play Anthony and Dai, two resistance fighters in the 2nd Mass.; Colin Cunningham (Living in Your Car) is John Pope, the head of a gang of marauders called the Berserkers; and Sarah Sanguin Carter (Shark) is Maggie, a wary survivor from Pope’s gang.
Another strong episode. Not quite as good as last week, just one step away in all respects. Happily there are some good twists; this is always a big plus for me, though it isn’t required for an excellent episode. But no one is quite as comfortable as last week, except maybe Noah Wyle and Seychelle Gabriel. Just a wee tiny bit of the pitch perfect performance is lacking on all fronts, which means that it isn’t magical, but it’s good. Much better than episode 3, and therefore much better than Season 1.
This season serves up a nice mix of problem-of-the-week stories and longer storylines, and this week is no exception, though the flow is off just a bit. The dialogue isn’t as natural as last week’s, but it’s still better than the first three episodes. The secondary characters seem to have the least luck in this regard, but I continue to have hope that the writers will step up for them soon, and give their lines a little more polish.
Connor Jessup continues to impress me with his all-in performances. Maybe he just has the luck of having the best-written and most varied part, but he’s always the one I’m happiest to see onscreen. This week’s guest star also handles the part well, alternating between ease and intensity quite nicely. Kudos as well to all involved in one particular stunt that was an impressive visual.
Things continue to move along well this week, but last week set the standard, so this episode was just a little bit of a letdown. I know they can do better. A little slower this week in parts, a little clunkier, but overall another solid and above-average episode for this basic-cable show, with some nifty twists and enough going on that I really want to see what’s going to happen next.
I give Falling Skies: Season 2, Episode 6 Four Out of Five Stars.
