Premiering this Sun., June 19th, Falling Skies, the new TNT original series from executive producer Steven Spielberg, begins six months after a full-on alien invasion of Earth. The show opens with the back story of the invasion, which is depicted via children’s drawings and narration. I found this set-up not only ironically cute, but appropriate. The explanation isn’t just a childish take on apocalyptic circumstances, it reflects how little adults actually know about their attackers as well. Among the things they do know is that the invaders kill adults but “harness” kids with a sort of external spine in order to control them. We also learn that the military has been defeated and that the aliens have some sort of light that destroys anything electrical.
At the tail end of this explanation is also the back story of Tom Mason, played by Noah Wyle (ER), and his family, as narrated by his youngest son Matt. We learn that his wife was killed and one of his three sons is missing. The scene then cuts to Tom and his oldest son Hal (Drew Roy) as they dodge lethal laser beams and try (then fail) to obtain food for the 2nd Massachusetts regiment of the resistance. When they return they learn that the regiments are splitting up due to the recent taking of Boston. Tom, a former history professor, is put second in command to Weaver, an abrasive commander who resents having to drag along civilians. From there we watch as Tom tries to hold his family together while leading dangerous missions for food, arms and his missing son.
This article appears in Jun 16-22, 2011.