Falling Skies (TNT) - News/Speculation/Discussion

[Commander Zelix]

Fun series thus far. The storylines will probably be more interesting and offer better diversity than the Walking Dead (both series were in pre-production at the same time) since the enemies are not one dimensional zombies but aliens which can be fleshed out or not depending on the writers orientation. So it gives the writers a bit more storylines possibilities.

[VampyreWraith]

While I do agree with that, I do think that there is some connection between them and us. We shall see.

I can see there being some kind of connection, but I just don't really see it being future humans going back in time in order to save the planet, and save us from ourselves by nuking the planet, killing large portions of the population, and turning any children they find into what looks like mindless zombies. They haven't gone into what exactly is up with the kids so far, so who knows.

[Lahela]

It was enjoyable - I've always liked Noah Wyle, and Colin Cunningham was just bloody brilliant. The characters are, for the most part, cookie-cutter stereotypes, but they're watchable enough. Looking forward to seeing where they take the story.

[The Mighty 6 platoon]

It doesn't make sense from an alien invasion perspective. Why take children as slaves when you have robots? Why take children to use up and spend the trouble to fix them? And why did the series preview allude to how human the skitters look internally? No, they are related to us in some way, either by a common future or possibly genetic engineering to fit on Earth. That might make some sense, take the kids for breeding stock. But again, think about it, a human male carries millions of sperm. You don't need the whole person, just a test tube. Ditto with eggs from females. Why children, it has to be a grander scheme involving saving us from ourselves.

Whether or not the aliens desire for the children is bad writing, your idea is hardly better. In fact it's worse, if they're from the "future" and here to save us then they're doing a piss poor job. Not unless you're idea of being saved is having all major cities wiped out, and the remaining population rounded up into camps for easy nuking by the aliens as well.

The aliens seem to treat the children as a resource, not as something that needs saving. Yes they try and obtain as many as possible, but when it becomes too much bother, as when one resistance group breaks out heavy weapons at the start of the first episode, they have no compunction about nuking them and moving on.

The aliens use the children for something, though in my mind it seems to be more to do with the mechs, as the children seem to follow them around and they are bi pedal, unlike the skitters. As for the preview, it's a preview, they are often misleading, and that line seems to be a voiceover they may have quite possibly lifted from another scene or even episode.

The whole "future humans" thing takes the show in a completely different direction, away from the alien invasion theme that is present, towards time travel and environmental damage, and rather closer to the other series Spielberg has in development, Terra Nova. Since a major theme in that show is time travel and humans from the future trying to save civilisation from an over polluted planet, I doubt Spielberg would develop two series that would end up having such close central premises.

Fun series thus far. The storylines will probably be more interesting and offer better diversity than the Walking Dead (both series were in pre-production at the same time) since the enemies are not one dimensional zombies but aliens which can be fleshed out or not depending on the writers orientation. So it gives the writers a bit more storylines possibilities.

Possibly, but The Walking Dead has the advantage of much better writers like Frank Darabont, a bigger budget and being on AMC, so it's allowed to be much more darker and daring. And on a more subjective note, I think the actors were better on the Walking Dead as well.

As it is though I think they're strengths lie in different areas. Falling Skies is best when it's focused on the fight against the aliens, the more military scenes are where it's strongest, and I found the character drama often fell flat on its face. By contrast, the Walking Dead may not be able to have much variety with zombies, but it is more of a character focused show anyway. The zombies are the backdrop, but more often it is the conflict between the character and the group dynamic that is the most interesting thing.

[Snookie16]

Not amazing, but very watchable.

It really livened up when they introduced the bad guy ex-con. I didn't know who the actor was but the character had lots of charisma.

I was shocked when I found out it was Colin Cunningham and I should have recognized him from Stargate. It's really a break-out role for him.

I knew it was cunningham from the previews...great to see a fine actor in a nice breakout and rather "main stream" (from the viewpoint of being on TNT) role. Maybe we will see a lot more of the actor in other roles.

I found the characters very LIKEABLE unlike the characters of that other show which shall remain nameless. Being able to root for a good guy matters to me in a tv show. when i watch show with only the hope that everyone dies- i prefer to move on.

there are many questions to be answered about the skitters, the mechs, and the children. i have my own theory based in part on the preview for next week, but I am interested in how the show will develope. TNT has done some really good shows- Rizzoli & Isles and the Closer to name just two.

edit- they changed the spoilers tag- rats.

[knowles2]

I am looking forward to watching this next week, all three episodes that will be out by then. It sound pretty good.

[magictrick]

Just watched the first episode. I'm hoping there's a grander purpose to the invasion that will be slowly revealed. Assuming that taking children and mind controlling them has a large part to play in the endgame plan.

Reminded me a lot of The Walking Dead. I don't think this was as good, but I see the potential. I also hope the characters won't continue to be as one-dimensional as the pilot portrayed them to be.

I did not get any O'neill, Sheppard or Reynolds vibe from Noah Wyle's character. Those are military characters and he's just a civilian who's thrown into the situation. He's going to end up combining his smarts with the military part he's picking up. If anything he's a John Crichton minus the craziness.

[Rosehawk]

It doesn't make sense from an alien invasion perspective. Why take children as slaves when you have robots? Why take children to use up and spend the trouble to fix them? And why did the series preview allude to how human the skitters look internally? No, they are related to us in some way, either by a common future or possibly genetic engineering to fit on Earth. That might make some sense, take the kids for breeding stock. But again, think about it, a human male carries millions of sperm. You don't need the whole person, just a test tube. Ditto with eggs from females. Why children, it has to be a grander scheme involving saving us from ourselves.

Maybe they use the children as incubators or somehow the children are transformed into skitters?

[Lahela]

I'm guessing the children are somehow part of the mech's construction, kind of like the Cybermen. It would fit with the bipedal thing.

[LtColCarter]

Ok...its re-airing tonight. I'm planning on watching it (or at least attempting to).

[the fifth man]

Ok...its re-airing tonight. I'm planning on watching it (or at least attempting to).

I am glad you are going to give it another shot.

[LtColCarter]

I am glad you are going to give it another shot.

Its recorded. So, now after some sleep...I'll watch it in the morning.

[mr_kennedy]

I'm guessing the children are somehow part of the mech's construction, kind of like the Cybermen. It would fit with the bipedal thing.

I have a theory that the species that invaded earth was originally looked like us, but somehow mutated into what we saw in the premier, maybe the children are the most compatible with those mechanised weapons

kind of far fetched i know, but this is a sci fi show with steven spielberg attached

[Commander Zelix]

kind of far fetched i know, but this is a sci fi show with steven spielberg attached

I may be wrong but I'm not sure he's the kind of "writers" with that kind of plot twists. But your theory may as well be true (since he's not the only one involved in the show).

[mr_kennedy]

I may be wrong but I'm not sure he's the kind of "writers" with that kind of plot twists. But your theory may as well be true (since he's not the only one involved in the show).

Nevertheless I look forward to seeing if im right or wrong

[The Mighty 6 platoon]

I may be wrong but I'm not sure he's the kind of "writers" with that kind of plot twists. But your theory may as well be true (since he's not the only one involved in the show).

I believe that he serves as executive producer on the show, and the writing is done by other people, such as Robert Rodat (who wrote Saving Private Ryan amount other things). However the various press relases about the show do state that Spielberg helped co create the concept of the show with Rodat, although how much participation that actually means is anyone's guess. He could have helped plot out the central ideas and arcs of the show, or just simply have said "hey lets make an alien invasion show", your guess is as good as mine.

[LtColCarter]

Well, I did it! I stayed awake and watched it! It was ok. It wasn't by any means a "blow my socks" off type of show. I'll see what happens tomorrow.

[Snookie16]

Just watched the first episode. I'm hoping there's a grander purpose to the invasion that will be slowly revealed. Assuming that taking children and mind controlling them has a large part to play in the endgame plan.

Reminded me a lot of The Walking Dead. I don't think this was as good, but I see the potential. I also hope the characters won't continue to be as one-dimensional as the pilot portrayed them to be.

I did not get any O'neill, Sheppard or Reynolds vibe from Noah Wyle's character. Those are military characters and he's just a civilian who's thrown into the situation. He's going to end up combining his smarts with the military part he's picking up. If anything he's a John Crichton minus the craziness.

he struck me more as later-season's Daniel Jackson-- bookish, geeky, but learning to be a soldier. (i think some call the character Action Jackson at that point in the series. )

[blueray]

he struck me more as later-season's Daniel Jackson-- bookish, geeky, but learning to be a soldier. (i think some call the character Action Jackson at that point in the series. )

he did remind me of later seasons daniel. he still knows his books and nerdy stuff but can kick ass!

[the fifth man]

he struck me more as later-season's Daniel Jackson-- bookish, geeky, but learning to be a soldier. (i think some call the character Action Jackson at that point in the series. )

Yeah, I can kind of see that.