Haven't uploaded since before Christmas but I will try to more often now, I was hoping to review more Arrow, Flash and Supergirl but I think they are not coming back to the UK until March. I have been looking forward to doing this Top 5 list because it is a shame I couldn't review this season of Falling Skies because I think it probably is my favourite because of it's darker tone. Though Season Three might be a close tie because I like the intro of the Volm in it and that the humans are more like a big superpower against the aliens, which they completely got rid of in Season Four. Anyway here is my top five for Season Two, SPOILERS.
5. Young Bloods
You know some of my favourite episodes of Falling Skies is when the focus is on Weaver because he is one be of best characters in my opinion. I liked this episode because Weaver had a really touching moment being reunited with his daughter who he thought was dead and it was nice to see some good come to Weaver. I also think this was Matt's first really good episode because he was starting to grow up rather than acting like a kid and he made a compelling argument against his father for wanting to fight. Plus the scene at the end with the Jeanne and her friends almost being harnessed was great and made for a good rescue mission to watch.
4. A More Perfect Union
You know this episode might have been higher but the let down that kept it here was that the take over of Charleston that was built up with a cliffhanger the last episode didn't really amount to anything. I wouldn't have minded seeing some fighting between the people of Charleston and the 2nd Mass plus I don't really like Bressler and he was an ass in this. However they are minor things because it was a satisfying conclusion of the Second Season with the raid on the Overlord at the end which included some great action and torture scenes which lead to the death of Dia and Red Eye. Plus the cliffhanger was really good with the introduction of the Volm (unnamed at this point) and kept me wondering until the Third Season whether they where enemies or not.
3. Love And Other Acts Of Courage
See when Ben isn't completely obsessed with one of Hal's girlfriends his episodes are some of the most entertaining. This episode gave us the introduction to the Skitter Rebellion with Red Eye and the return of Rick from the previous season. I think it was handled really well because Red Eye's backstory of the rebellion was compelling but the scepticism of the other characters kept me constantly second guessing everything. Like I said Ben was great in this because I liked how he kept sticking up for Red Eye and this was the start of his own mission separate of his family and the 2nd Mass.
2. The Price Of Greatness
Quite a different episode here because 2nd Mass has to deal with integrating with another society of humans and of course it didn't go so well. It was interesting seeing some of the members of 2nd Mass accepting this (like Weaver and Tector) while other had a harder time like Pope and the Mason Family. It gave us a break from the alien war to watch these opposing views and the most compelling of them was the ones between Tom and his former history professor Arthur Manchester. I enjoyed seeing Tom trying and convince Manchester and the rest of Charleston the importance of fighting rather than hiding. All in all while there was no action it had some really strong character moments and dialogue that I really enjoyed.
1. Molon Labe
The best episode of the entire season and one of the best in the series overall, I just loved this episode. It really tries to be scary with the reveal of thus Trojan Horse bugs that burst out of that member of 2nd Mass and started chasing the characters throughout the dark hospital. It also created a really hopeless situation with 2nd Mass trapped in the hospital but thanks to Tom really doing something unexpected by shooting an Overlord in the neck. All in all there was a lot of tension and dark moments in this episode that made it unforgettable, plus Pope was back with the main cast again.
And because I have too the worst episode of the season in my opinion was;
Homecoming
I got to tell you I just really dislike Karen in the series because I never really bought her as this enemy leader in Season Three but before that she had a really underwhelming return in this episode. You know I didn't need Pope to tell me she was actually a spy because it was just so obvious from the beginning, I never understood why anyone in the 2nd Mass bothered listening to her. In my Falling Skies reviews of the later seasons you know I hate the subplots that involve the love lives of Hal and Ben, well this episode was the very first one; they are both fighting for Karen like they do for Maggie in later seasons. I just do not like the rivalry that Falling Skies constantly creates between Hal and Ben because all of the time Hal just acts like a prick and Ben comes off as kind of pathetic when he could be the most interesting character because of the problems he faces being harnessed.
Showing posts with label OVERLORDS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OVERLORDS. Show all posts
Monday, 1 February 2016
Thursday, 20 August 2015
Falling Skies Season Five: Stalag 14th Virginia
While Tom and his family await their execution Weaver tries to get the soldiers of 14th Virginia to turn sides and finds a shocking secret about Marshall.
I got to say that this two part arc has been really good, it may be late in the season to still be fighting humans in my opinion but still very enjoyable. First off Tom was great in this episode and proved why he is a leader by turning quite a few of the soldiers to his side, such as the guard and when Weaver showed his speech to the others. Speaking of Weaver he is another reason I really liked this arc because it has mainly been focused on him and how he has been this unstoppable force like chocking the Overload and taking out the Marshall Clone. Plus he also had a sad moment at the end, realizing that his old flame has been dead for a while and watching Marshall Clone die. I did like the twist that it was a clone; while the reveal that Marshall was working with an Overlord was obvious from the start the fact she was a clone was a surprise and not a far fetched one because the Overlords have been working with Human DNA for ages now. Despite liking this arc I am really glad the two forces are now marching on DC because the final battle is what I really want to see and it looks like we might see something new with the reveal of a "Higher Being" the Overlords are bowing down to.
As for everything else while Weaver was a badass for taking out the Overlord that did seem a bit too easy and I kind of wanted it to have a larger role. Then there is the scene at the end with Pope watching over a death match and finding out that Tom is still alive and while I am glad to see Pope again I am a bit disappointed. I mean really, this is what Pope has become now for the final season of Falling Skies? I don't know about anyone else but I really would have preferred seeing him staying with the 2nd Mass and marching to DC too. Again the fault in this lies with Tom for allowing Sara to die but what annoys me a lot is that Tom now seems to be back to his old self, the one that wouldn't have made Pope an enemy. We could probably expect some big battle between Pope's group and the 2nd Mass that should be fun to watch but I am still hoping Pope and Tom may ally once again. This is because I am sure a main character might die in the finale but out of all of them it really should not be Pope because he is the best character and has developed the most. Yet the writers are turning him into the villain who will most likely die, it is like they have thrown everything he has been through right out the window.
Overall a great conclusion to this arc and makes me look forward to the events of the last two episodes.
SCORE: 8/10
Highlights: Tom proving why he is a leader
Weaver was great once again
The reveal of Marshall being a clone
Let - Downs: The Overlord was killed off too soon
Pope still after Tom
I got to say that this two part arc has been really good, it may be late in the season to still be fighting humans in my opinion but still very enjoyable. First off Tom was great in this episode and proved why he is a leader by turning quite a few of the soldiers to his side, such as the guard and when Weaver showed his speech to the others. Speaking of Weaver he is another reason I really liked this arc because it has mainly been focused on him and how he has been this unstoppable force like chocking the Overload and taking out the Marshall Clone. Plus he also had a sad moment at the end, realizing that his old flame has been dead for a while and watching Marshall Clone die. I did like the twist that it was a clone; while the reveal that Marshall was working with an Overlord was obvious from the start the fact she was a clone was a surprise and not a far fetched one because the Overlords have been working with Human DNA for ages now. Despite liking this arc I am really glad the two forces are now marching on DC because the final battle is what I really want to see and it looks like we might see something new with the reveal of a "Higher Being" the Overlords are bowing down to.
As for everything else while Weaver was a badass for taking out the Overlord that did seem a bit too easy and I kind of wanted it to have a larger role. Then there is the scene at the end with Pope watching over a death match and finding out that Tom is still alive and while I am glad to see Pope again I am a bit disappointed. I mean really, this is what Pope has become now for the final season of Falling Skies? I don't know about anyone else but I really would have preferred seeing him staying with the 2nd Mass and marching to DC too. Again the fault in this lies with Tom for allowing Sara to die but what annoys me a lot is that Tom now seems to be back to his old self, the one that wouldn't have made Pope an enemy. We could probably expect some big battle between Pope's group and the 2nd Mass that should be fun to watch but I am still hoping Pope and Tom may ally once again. This is because I am sure a main character might die in the finale but out of all of them it really should not be Pope because he is the best character and has developed the most. Yet the writers are turning him into the villain who will most likely die, it is like they have thrown everything he has been through right out the window.
Overall a great conclusion to this arc and makes me look forward to the events of the last two episodes.
SCORE: 8/10
Highlights: Tom proving why he is a leader
Weaver was great once again
The reveal of Marshall being a clone
Let - Downs: The Overlord was killed off too soon
Pope still after Tom
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Falling Skies Season Five: Hatchlings
2nd Mass discovers a massive enemy force so Tom, with the help of the Volm, makes contact with the other Militia around the world and prepares to strike back.
Really Falling Skies? Freaking really!!!! They just had to kill off Sara another great secondary character and who only in my last review I said should survive until the end with Pope. I'm sorry but this again is another example of Falling Skies just too afraid to off their main cast; now I do really like everyone one of the main cast but why does the show constantly kill off their well developed secondary characters for the dramatic death scene? Also with the way Pope reacted afterwards I can really see him rebelling now and for all I know that could get him killed at the end. I am not just saying this because he is my favourite character but the way Pope was, what he has been through and how he has changed I just really think he could be one of the characters who survived and had a happy ending in the finale. I know this is supposed to show us that Tom has changed but sacrificing someone else to complete the mission is going a bit too far me plus I bet if it was one of his family he would have went because I guess all of the Masons have got to survive. I know this is quite the rant but it did bother me and the only good thing about it is that Sara's death was done really well at least; it was a sad last moment between her and Pope.
As for everything else it is annoying the Hybrid Skitter subplot is over already because I thought it was going to be a big thing but the shooting and suicide at least was pretty damn dark. I did however enjoy the main plot of stopping the massive enemy force and Ben and Maggie brain diving into the Overlord was really cool; see I don't them working like that just keep the romance out of it. Now Anthony continues to get some spotlight which is great because his PTSD condition isn't something that has been touched before on the show and makes me wonder if he will turn against 2nd Mass. My guess is that he will join Pope's rebellion (from what I saw in the preview it is happening) which again bothers me because we already have had Tom vs. Pope in the previous seasons, I thought they have gotten past that now and became friends. Finally we get some light shed on the mysterious new alien race and finding out they probably are extinct makes me wonder if this is some kind of Overlord trick? One last thing even if I have to mark this episode down it is still better than Season Four because all of this season has been action packed and really damn gruesome. For example in this episode alone we got a murder/suicide, Sara's eaten legs and Anthony shooting that Overlord in the face. Now I don't need my shows to be always action packed to be entertaining but Season 4 for just so, so slow and I didn't really like much of the plots they had, mostly about Lexi.
Overall while this was still a great episode and we got a great reveal about the new aliens, Sara death does bother me because I found it to be uncalled for and the wrong direction for the show to take which could lead to Pope's death if he rebels.
SCORE: 6/10
Highlights: The main plot of stopping the enemy force
More info on the new aliens
Some good plot for Anthony
Let - Downs: Sara's death
Most likely Tom vs. Pope conflict soon
The Hybrid Skitter subplot didn't lead anywhere
Tom's change in personality went too far this episode
Monday, 14 July 2014
TV Series Review: Falling Skies Season One
Now to review a series I have been promising to for ages; Falling Skies. I have really enjoyed this series and since season 4 is going to air in the UK tomorrow I thought it was about time to get to work on reviewing the previous seasons. These reviews will contain MAJOR spoilers for all three previous seasons, so it is advised bot to read this review until you have at least watched season one.
The story begins six months after the invasion by a mysterious alien race that managed to destroy every major city, wipe out the world's military and kill over 90% of the world's population. They have also been capturing every human between eight and eighteen and attaching a bio - mechanical device called a Harness on to their backs which puts the individual under their control. However groups of survivors consisting of those from all walks of life have banded together to fight back, one of the groups is the Second Massachusetts led by retired US Army Captain Dan Weaver (Will Patton). In the Second Massachusetts is a former Boston History Professor named Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) who has chosen to be a 'Fighter' so he can protect his sons and hopefully destroy the alien menace.
Those who have read my previous blog reviews know that I am a massive fan of the Post - Apocalypse genre (The Walking Dead, Revolution), I think it is one of the best genres for a book, film or TV Series. This is because I enjoy watching characters try and survive in a new dangerous world (The Walking Dead) or build a new society and the hardships they have to go through (Revolution). Falling Skies is more of the former but I also really like it because it brings aliens and huge science fiction elements in to it as well.
I guess I should say first that Falling Skies is a very, very character driven series more than anything else. It is not loaded down with massive amounts of gore or violence however this is not a bad thing, it has done it so well that it is one of the best series out there right now. For example because this is the beginning of the journey of the Second Massachusetts a recurring plot device is civilians vs. military. Second Massachusetts calls its solider personal Fighters, these are the people in the group who risk there lives to fight the aliens, scout out areas and protect everyone else and these Fighters aren't just people who were soldiers or cops, anyone can volunteer. The rest are the civilians who do not actively fight but instead chose to be doctors, cooks and perform other means of labour.
This brings a lot of infighting within the Second Massachusetts in this season on whether which group is more important. Tom for example may be a Fighter now but he sympathizes with the civilian's because he used to be a professor so we get to see both sides from him, meanwhile there is Weaver who used to be an Army Captain so he obviously feels the Fighters are a higher priority. It is just things like this for example that makes Falling Skies a really great watch.
We also have a suburb cast; Noah Wyle is perfect as the main protagonist, I admit I have not seen him in much before this but he is great and it is cool to see him constantly referring to battles with the aliens to wars in the past, thus using his background in history. We also have Will Patton and that guy has been great in everything I have seen him in and we have a great range of secondary characters such as Moon Bloodgood, Peter Shinkoda, Mpho Koaho and Tom Mason's three sons who are each in a different age group which I think was deliberate so we get to see how the youngest to the oldest deal with the aliens. The most interesting in this season out of the three by far is Ben Mason because of the harness attached to his back and the effects it is having on him.
However an honourable mention I have to give is Colin Cunningham as John Pope the former badass leader of a group of rebels who joins the Second Massachusetts. Colin Cunningham has always been one of my favourite actors and he absolutely kills it as Pope because he is so cool in every scene he is in, either when its killing the aliens or arguing with Tom. I can honestly say that John Pope is my favourite TV series character even more than Miles Matheson (Revolution) or Tywin Lannister (Game of Thrones).
Now as for the aliens they have been dubbed the Skitters by the Second Massachusetts because of their multiple legs and how fast they move with them. Their design is really cool, similar to insects, and they prove to be quite the formable foe against the humans. They also have advanced technology such as ships and giant Mechas which is cool to see because I am so used to seeing them in anime and the special effects used for them are awesome. We also get their mysterious Overlords, stick thin leaders who command the Skitters and they have got a pretty creepy design almost like the Slender man. Overall we have a really great adversary for the human race that and as the episode progress we get more and more answers about them.
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE FINAL EPISODES BELOW
If I had to find some faults to this season is that even though I mentioned that it is alright that this series is not loaded down with violence I do wish they had a bit more sometimes. For example while we get some great battles there is much build up to a final battle that Weaver is leading to blow up a Skitter base however it happens completely off screen so that was a tad annoying. Also I find Sarah Carter's character Maggie to be completely annoying, everything from what she does to her stupid backstory but still every show has one character that you absolutely can't stand. I also admit that some may find this a little slow sometimes (I didn't but I read that some might) just remember that this is the first season and every first season in almost every show with just ten episodes a season is more to do establishing the world, story and characters.
However while I was annoyed that the massive battle with Weaver this season did end on a high note; it seems more grim for the Second Massachusetts than ever and Tom went on board an Overlord space craft. While major cliff hangers can be so frustrating at times this one was done just right because it made me really look forward to second season.
There you have it a great science fiction drama that I think many people from lots of ages groups can enjoy. This season really did a great job of setting up Falling Skies as something that is going to be big and seeing as we are on season four now that just proves my point.
SCORE: 7/10
I admit it is a bit weird doing a review of season one now that season four is out but I will try to write the review for two and three has quick as I can so that I can at least review season four straight way when it is finished.
The story begins six months after the invasion by a mysterious alien race that managed to destroy every major city, wipe out the world's military and kill over 90% of the world's population. They have also been capturing every human between eight and eighteen and attaching a bio - mechanical device called a Harness on to their backs which puts the individual under their control. However groups of survivors consisting of those from all walks of life have banded together to fight back, one of the groups is the Second Massachusetts led by retired US Army Captain Dan Weaver (Will Patton). In the Second Massachusetts is a former Boston History Professor named Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) who has chosen to be a 'Fighter' so he can protect his sons and hopefully destroy the alien menace.
Those who have read my previous blog reviews know that I am a massive fan of the Post - Apocalypse genre (The Walking Dead, Revolution), I think it is one of the best genres for a book, film or TV Series. This is because I enjoy watching characters try and survive in a new dangerous world (The Walking Dead) or build a new society and the hardships they have to go through (Revolution). Falling Skies is more of the former but I also really like it because it brings aliens and huge science fiction elements in to it as well.
I guess I should say first that Falling Skies is a very, very character driven series more than anything else. It is not loaded down with massive amounts of gore or violence however this is not a bad thing, it has done it so well that it is one of the best series out there right now. For example because this is the beginning of the journey of the Second Massachusetts a recurring plot device is civilians vs. military. Second Massachusetts calls its solider personal Fighters, these are the people in the group who risk there lives to fight the aliens, scout out areas and protect everyone else and these Fighters aren't just people who were soldiers or cops, anyone can volunteer. The rest are the civilians who do not actively fight but instead chose to be doctors, cooks and perform other means of labour.
This brings a lot of infighting within the Second Massachusetts in this season on whether which group is more important. Tom for example may be a Fighter now but he sympathizes with the civilian's because he used to be a professor so we get to see both sides from him, meanwhile there is Weaver who used to be an Army Captain so he obviously feels the Fighters are a higher priority. It is just things like this for example that makes Falling Skies a really great watch.
We also have a suburb cast; Noah Wyle is perfect as the main protagonist, I admit I have not seen him in much before this but he is great and it is cool to see him constantly referring to battles with the aliens to wars in the past, thus using his background in history. We also have Will Patton and that guy has been great in everything I have seen him in and we have a great range of secondary characters such as Moon Bloodgood, Peter Shinkoda, Mpho Koaho and Tom Mason's three sons who are each in a different age group which I think was deliberate so we get to see how the youngest to the oldest deal with the aliens. The most interesting in this season out of the three by far is Ben Mason because of the harness attached to his back and the effects it is having on him.
However an honourable mention I have to give is Colin Cunningham as John Pope the former badass leader of a group of rebels who joins the Second Massachusetts. Colin Cunningham has always been one of my favourite actors and he absolutely kills it as Pope because he is so cool in every scene he is in, either when its killing the aliens or arguing with Tom. I can honestly say that John Pope is my favourite TV series character even more than Miles Matheson (Revolution) or Tywin Lannister (Game of Thrones).
Now as for the aliens they have been dubbed the Skitters by the Second Massachusetts because of their multiple legs and how fast they move with them. Their design is really cool, similar to insects, and they prove to be quite the formable foe against the humans. They also have advanced technology such as ships and giant Mechas which is cool to see because I am so used to seeing them in anime and the special effects used for them are awesome. We also get their mysterious Overlords, stick thin leaders who command the Skitters and they have got a pretty creepy design almost like the Slender man. Overall we have a really great adversary for the human race that and as the episode progress we get more and more answers about them.
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE FINAL EPISODES BELOW
If I had to find some faults to this season is that even though I mentioned that it is alright that this series is not loaded down with violence I do wish they had a bit more sometimes. For example while we get some great battles there is much build up to a final battle that Weaver is leading to blow up a Skitter base however it happens completely off screen so that was a tad annoying. Also I find Sarah Carter's character Maggie to be completely annoying, everything from what she does to her stupid backstory but still every show has one character that you absolutely can't stand. I also admit that some may find this a little slow sometimes (I didn't but I read that some might) just remember that this is the first season and every first season in almost every show with just ten episodes a season is more to do establishing the world, story and characters.
However while I was annoyed that the massive battle with Weaver this season did end on a high note; it seems more grim for the Second Massachusetts than ever and Tom went on board an Overlord space craft. While major cliff hangers can be so frustrating at times this one was done just right because it made me really look forward to second season.
There you have it a great science fiction drama that I think many people from lots of ages groups can enjoy. This season really did a great job of setting up Falling Skies as something that is going to be big and seeing as we are on season four now that just proves my point.
SCORE: 7/10
I admit it is a bit weird doing a review of season one now that season four is out but I will try to write the review for two and three has quick as I can so that I can at least review season four straight way when it is finished.
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