Seriable’s Robert L. reviews Falling Skies 1.05 “Silent Kill”.
I’m just going to say it: this episode of Falling Skies was the best so far. That might not be saying much to some, and I can understand that, but I now also realize why TNT was confident enough to renew the show for a second season.
It’s not that the numbers were bad, but they haven’t been especially good for this show, and up until this episode, I just couldn’t see Falling Skies getting its footing anytime soon storytelling-wise. Then again, with all of the international broadcasters that have picked the show up, I can’t see a 10-episode renewal a particularly high risk.
We start off the episode on a high note with a particularly annoying character getting killed off — I won’t say who for those of you who haven’t seen it yet. I can’t say that I was pleased with how shallow they made the character, the death wasn’t as poignant as it could have been, but it was a right move for the story.
The big plot of this episode was obviously establishing a “silent kill” to use on the aliens, and rescuing Tom‘s middle son, Ben. It was suspenseful enough, and really showcased the action-adventure aspect of this show really working for the first time ever. But the highlight was Anne and how the plot really provoked her character.
I’ve never been a Moon Bloodgood fan, and I still feel that her performance in explaining that she had no trinkets left to remember her family by left much to be desired (it felt a little awkward — part of that may have been how it was shot), but it was very nice to find out more about her character, and to really see some despair coming from her. For a show about the end of the world, they seem to have skipped over the heightened tensions and the sorrow until now.
To be clear, the sorrow has been “written,” but it’s all been subtext or talk. No drama or emotional performances. So when we end the episode with the words, “You saved five,” and Anne responds, “I lost one,” it really shows us who this character is — focused on the loss. She’s someone who doesn’t have anything, save her experiences and emotions, and that’s my kind of character.
Those of you who have been following my reviews may also note that I am thrilled that her character killed a Skitter, even if her overly defensive message of saying “THAT WASN’T HARD FOR ME, OKAY?!” was weirdly executed.
We were also introduced to more of Margaret‘s back story, which I could not possibly care any less about. If it weren’t enough that her voice has that weird, shaky quality that makes it sound like she’s always crying, her constant, mean “tough girl” routine is even more obnoxious than Battlestar Galactica‘s Starbuck. Even after hearing an “I’m glad you survived cancer,” from Hal, she shakes her head and walks away, as annoying as ever.
It would be one thing if she had some kind of silent pain, hating the world for its unfairness, but she’s an overplayed, unattractive character.
Lourdes, on the other hand, is now finally starting to grow on me. We’re still getting hints of self-righteousness from her, but it’s nice to hear her philosophies on life. For example, her hopes that a baby will be brought into the world to experience the “good and bad” really struck a chord with me.
After reading through the comments on last week’s episode, “Grace“, I feel it’s worth noting that I do see a need to address the question of religion in science fiction, especially since most of the world believes in a higher power (what are the odds that only atheists will make it?).
However, it was a question of the wisdom of exploring it in a single, self-righteous character. It’d also be a lot more fun to see how she communicates with the agnostic instead of hearing back-and-forth: “God can’t exist.” And “No, God can’t.” They started to with Captain Weaver, but all the same …
Rating: 9/10 Seriable Stars
How did you feel about “Silent Kill”?
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
Loading ...
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
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t wait to read your review Robert. The only thing holding me up is my DVR’s propensity for chewing up the recording. TWICE NOW! I wonder if “FS” is on Hulu?
Like:
0
They’ve been posting them on FallingSkies.com — albeit very slowly, so it might take an extra week and a half for it to pop up there.
Sorry about the DVR problems!
Like:
0
LOVED this episode, every episodes that goes by i am more in love with this show!
I think Moon Bloodgood & Sarah Carter were awesome in it (like a lot to see them “cenetering” the episode), i love Margaret and i am starting to love Anne & Lourdes too. Really great!!
About the story, i didn’t expect Ben back that soon, but good, supose next will be skitters reprisals or something kind of that, looks good as y said! I was shocked with the doctor (don’t remember his name right now) been killed by the skitter, didn’t like him a lot so goodbye, and really enjoyed Anne’s reaction.
The only think im not liking theese past episodes is Karen theme, so, she gets trapped by them and we don’t hear anything more about here, not even a word in two episodes, no looking for here or no intention to rescue here! WTF?? She’s supposed to be Hal’s love and all that stuff, don’t understand it a lot, supose we will see something soon or later.
Like:
0
No kidding about Karen! They just have Hal flirting with anyone else they can throw in a scene with him!
It’s a little bit disconcerting …
Like:
0
I finally got around to seeing this episode through the miracle of VOD. I must say the episode was a rather tepid affair. Whether they spent an eternity crouching behind cars to more discord in the History classroom (every time there is an argument you can see the poster of Lee and Grant in the background. Civil unrest!) to Weaver moping about. At least the seemingly fragile, Anne Glass, got some of her repressed anger issues out.
Maybe the show is making a conscious effort to fill out the female characters in this show. That may explain why it feels so forced. They are playing catch up. I don’t care too much about Maggie either. I guess she’s the resident broken female bad a**. It’s still a mystery to me why she spent so much time with Pope’s gang if she was abused by them and then they armed her. What was she waiting for a better gig to come along?
I like Moon Bloodgood. I was hoping she would display a little more kick a** attitude like she did in the last Terminator movie. But it was a little sudden wasn’t it.
As far as Lourdes in concerned, I don’t think Seychelle Gabriel will be left wanting for work for a long time. There’s talent there. While the actress that portrays Maggie will be fated to get stuck in the horror genre. The same fate that befell a favorite of mine Eliza Dushku.
What I really want to know Robert is what you thought of that creepy “nesting” thing the Skitter was doing with Hal and the gang? (BTW is Hal a reference to Henry V or HAL from 2001?) It was acting like a mother Hen! The Skitters seem to have a disdain for the human race (take that Dr. Harris) but put a harness on them and the Skitters start to coo like a Pigeon in its nest. Weird!
Like:
0
Very interesting insights! I hadn’t noticed the Lee and Grant poster — and I definitely agree about Lourdes.
If I were to take a guess at the nesting thing, it’s that they’re trying to “break” the children. They figure the adults are already corrupted, so they put the harnesses on the children, and control them to whatever extent, and as part of their manipulation, they show physical caring.
But that’s all quite convoluted, and I honestly don’t expect it to be addressed at all this season. I’d rather hear your thoughts on what it means!
Like:
0
Well, I’ll you what Robert, I think they are serious about this nesting thing. Did you hear what Ben said about his experience with the Skitters? (Sanctuary Part 1.) He misses it! He sounded serious to me. The fact that Hal is worried about him didn’t do anything to dissuade me from my original hypothesis. Yes, Ben was under the influence of some sort of narcotic effect, but still, what if that caged Skitter would rather die than lose it’s children? Maybe the Skitters are so desperate for children that they concocted that trade scenario with the 7th Mass.?
It’s kind of creepy and I think I’d rather prefer that than the straight up Skitters are evil thing. It adds a whole new dimension to them.
We also got a partial answer from Maggie as to why she put up with all the abuse from Pope and his gang. (Again from Sanctuary Part 1.) She was inured to it! That’s creepy too Maggie. Stockholm syndrome?
Please check out my humble blog on tumblr Robert. It was inspired by all things Seriable!
Like:
0
So I think we’re in some sort of agreement — yes, the children are being manipulated, but there may be some real caring coming from the Skitters.
Stockholm Syndrome wouldn’t make sense for Margaret, because she ended up shooting others in the gang to protect our heroes. Stockholm Syndrome would have her more sympathetic to the gang’s plight and attitude. She’s just a stupid character, IMO.
When I click on your name, it takes me to tumblr, but it looks like I have to sign up first? I’ll be excited to check it out!
Like:
0
Sorry about the having to sign up thing for tumblr. I didn’t think that was true. I had my wife Google battlin boston today and she got right on. Who knows. It is just a social networking site. Maybe I should be somewhere else. I thought your fellow blogger “Katesfate” got on but I’m not sure. Give it another shot.
Maybe Maggie isn’t clear how a Stockholm Syndrome person should act. I’ll send her Patty Hearst’s book. (Hmm, they didn’t give Patty bullets.) I’ll stick with “inured” it actually makes her look a lot worse.
Like:
0
Ah, I figured it out! I like the theme of your site. It’s a fun hook.
(I might point out, that your Cooler King comparison probably deserves a YouTube video of the different shows that invoke that imagery. ;p)
Inured is probably the best word for Margaret — it just doesn’t make for a likeable character, unfortunately.
Like:
0