Falling Skies was iffy last season. Good concept, strong opening and finale, but there were many, many spots in the middle that just didn’t work for me. Or were frustratingly stupid. Or were flat-out filler.
It was never a perfect show – few are these days – but it was OK for what it was: a basic cable sci-fi show that wanted desperately to be bigger and badder than it was. Like The 4400.
Something changed since last season and Falling Skies became officially bad ass in its season 2 opener.
The tone is entirely different. There’s a genuine sense of desperation among the 2nd Mass. They’re exhausted, hungry, and filthy and, for the first time in this show, they look like it. Seriously. The cast looks terrible. Moon Bloodgood is normally radiant in everything she’s in and the make-up department on Falling Skies has made her look like hell.
Except for this kid.
The 2nd Mass is worried about the heat signature from their engines? The Skitters could find them on the heat signature from this kid’s blow dryer.
And they’re doing things! And all their emotional storylines are happening at the same time. Ben was justifiably distraught at having accidentally shot his dad, but everything didn’t stop so he could mope about it. Long looks of longing longiness? Not here.
Noah Wylie as Tom Mason: Action History Professor looks like he’s going to have more to do this season other than playing the concerned dad and voice of civilization. He’s been made an offer by the occupying force (lead his people to a concentration camp or die) and may have been compromised. Things are going to get very dark for him which is good for me because I love it when Noah Wylie gets dark.
I like my Noah Wylie like I like my coffee.
The only thing that continued to irritate the crap out of me is Pope. He was a tool for creating tension last season and, as long as the writing stays up to par, that tool won’t be needed.
If he does stick around, he has to lose the “tribal” teeth necklace. It’s stupid. He also has to do some atonement for what he did/ allowed to happen to Margaret at the hands of his old outlaw gang. Working for the good of the group isn’t enough: Pope has to atone himself with her.
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Lisa Fary's earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She's angry that it's 2011 and she still doesn't have a hovercraft, but will accept a jetpack as consolation. That jetpack had better be pink with a rhinestone monogram. 
