Seriable’s Robert L. reviews Falling Skies 1.04 “Grace”.
We’re finally four hours into the mythology of Falling Skies, and it’s time to take a step back and look at our hopes for the show’s future, and see if we like what we’ve been given so far. Can we officially judge the show as an entity of its own?
I’d argue that four hours minus commercial breaks is enough time to officially consider a show good, bad, or somewhere in between.
It’s worth noting that there are archetypal characters in every show, and they’ll be compared from story to story. So when the comparison of LOST‘s Sawyer with Falling Skies‘ Pope comes, my natural tendency is to dismiss it. But there are so many lines trying to emulate Sawyer specifically, that I would wager they did “steal” the character from another show, so to speak.
Regardless of whether or not this is accurate, a lot of the lines feel contrived. Whether he’s laughing about which gang: “Bloods? Crips? Slytherin?” or complaining about trying to siphon gasoline: “it’s drier than a nun in Texas,” it’s hard to not feel jolted out of the moment. Obviously, that’s always going to be a risk with comedic relief, and I think they pay for it in this episode.
Now, onto more positive criticisms!
Seeing the Skitters sleeping like bats was definitely interesting. These are the sort of reveals that we were hurting for in the previous three episodes. It’s not as interesting as the harness storyline, but adding texture to the invasion is what this show is going to live or die on.
After the bat-like sleep, they immediately top themselves with adding the weird radio-Skitter communication relationship that will hopefully be better explored soon.
Cliché textures, like Moon Bloodgood’s aren’t welcome from a viewer like myself. I’ve seen enough science fiction to realize that there are an awful lot of writers who think hurting any kind of living creature for any reason ever, ever, ever is bad, but it’s groan-inducing to have a prominent character believe that monsters should be treated humanely, and at the risk of others’ lives.
But this instance was okay. It at least led to my favorite line of the episode, “Want a friend? Get a dog!”
We were also given a fair amount of action involving a pretty cool gasoline bomb, and the teeniest bit of motorcycle riding.
I know I’m not the only one asking “what’s with the religious girl?” I’m just not sure what they’re trying to illustrate with Lourdes. Maybe the idea that no one believes in dire situations? Or the fact that someone could? The point is: being self-righteous doesn’t make a likeable character.
And what of the dad with the harnessed child? First he breaks out of the plan, thereby getting some kids kidnapped (and some gunned down), and then he rips the harness off of his kid? (Granted, the plot doesn’t want to give us answers so easily, but there you have it.)
So when I say I’m not that impressed with the episode, it’s not because any of these scenes are failing, it’s just that they’re not setting their sights very high, which seems to be the overall trend of the series. That’s why I’d say we can consider the series “good,” but a step below “excellent.”
I will give “Grace” a final rating of 9/10 Seriable Stars.
PERSON OF INTEREST Renewed For Season 2
TERRA NOVA: Season 2 Decision Delayed Until 2012
ONCE UPON A TIME: The Comprehensive Character Guide
BREAKING BAD: Bryan Cranston Confirms Season 5 Will Premiere In July
FRINGE OBSERVATIONS: 4.22 Brave New World: Part 2
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ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.22 A Land Without Magic
ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.21 An Apple Red As Blood
FRINGE OBSERVATIONS: 4.21 Brave New World: Part 1
ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.20 The Stranger
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I think what they’re trying to illustrate with Lourdes is that while so many people have given up and are pessimistic, she finds strength through her faith to get her though the terrible things that have happened. Yeah that might sound preachy to non-religious viewers, but I think it adds a little something fresh to the mix. Although I do agree that they do need to work on making her a more likable character.
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What’s so fresh about self righteous religious people?
Leave the overbearing religious sub plots out. We get enough god gobbing in real life.
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I think the religious subplots are necessary when it comes to a show that is dealing with aliens. Aliens landing on earth would bring about a big debate as to whether or not there is a God and if there is, did he also create the Skitters?
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The overbearing religious character (Lourdes) is actually annoying me. To the point where I’m hoping she gets killed off. If aliens landed on earth it would be the defining proof to me that the bible is just a story book. (Which obviously is my opinion now) BSG was destroyed for me when they started going on about the one true God. It felt like fundamentalist christians had co-opted the storyline by destroying any reference to the ancient greek gods the 1970′s series was based on. (Apollo, Zeus, Hera etc). Here’s hoping Falling Skies doesn’t continue with this girl’s plot line. Science fiction in the past, had very little religious overtones, which was why I enjoyed it.
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I agree with you about the similarities between Pope’s character and the character of Sawyer on Lost. First I will say, that the character of Sawyer was far better acted, so far.
It would seem as if they are trying to use Pope for some comic relief, but his punchlines fall flat with me. At least he is not nicknaming people. I believe that a little comic relief is necessary, but they need to find a writer who can pull it off, because so far it doesn’t seem to be working.
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I really despise characters like Pope. Mostly how quickly he was trusted (to make meals for the entire group! What?) Then send him off on a mission to escape? Too easy. Perhaps if he was originally in the 2nd mass or related to someone I could see him sticking around. If this show really wanted to knock my socks off, he’d get shot for being a dick and everyone would just shrug and move on. We have enough to worry about to put up with a jackass that endangers humanity. I liked Sawyer because he didn’t come into the story the way Pope did.
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Have we seen the Skitters carry weapons? Why would they leave themselves in such a defenseless position. (Bat hanging.) If, as we are led to believe, they are like any soldier and they need their rest shouldn’t some sort of defensive perimeter been set up? Do the “Mechs” sleep because the Skitters sleep? That seems odd. At least some sort of passive system should have been erected. They could have used the harnessed children as sentries.
It leads me to believe they are some sort of combat fodder for another race or set of beings that aren’t willing to take the same risks themselves.
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Actually I’m finding Pope the most interesting character! When he torched those aliens that’s just what I would have wanted to do – plus he makes good bread!
At least they keep saying his name so that’s one character’s name we know!
I didn’t like how this episode ended – it was dull. Although I suppose praying made a change from skateboarding and lacrosse!
Of course the aliens are fairly interesting and how the harness works is intriguing; but the show is too littered with too many cute (but whiney and boring kids) who add little to the show.
I also found the praying girl very annoying. I didn’t know her name was Lourdes but Falling Skies isn’t big on letting us get to know the characters (including their names). The unintelligble noises from the skitter are fairly annoying too.
They take Karen out of the show and replace her with a religious nut! Not a fair trade methinks.
Cheers, MA
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Can’t stand the Lourdes character. A pretentious zealot inserted to pander to Christian viewers and useless to advancing the story.
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