Throughout time stories of invasions; the destruction of everything you know
by a foreign horde of ruthless strangers with no regard for your customs or
lives. Invasions with their rape and pillaging did manage to expand customs,
language and gene pool; albeit through violence and devastation. In more modern
times invasions have been extended to encompass the ultimate in invading forces,
invaders from another planet in out space. With no racial connection to humanity
these foes are inhuman and not understandable by ant familiar standards. In
stories such as this the elements that are most crucial, the better aspects of
human nature albeit not restricted to the victim’s nature. In such cases it
comes down literally to the most fundamental us against them scenarios. This has
been a staple science fiction for many years but recently the quality of
presentation has risen to heights previously unimaginable. Among the most recent
offerings in the genre is one broadcast on the basic cable TNT network; ‘Dark
Skies’. Although many series in this category displayed a significant amount of
promise few seem to be capable of lasting beyond one or two seasons. ‘Dark Skies
managed a strong showing in its freshman year following it up with a second
season that was able to retain much of the momentum and, more importantly, fuel
the interest in the fundamental story and heighten the excitement generated
through the expansion of the character development. It succeeded in bypassing
the sophomore slump but balancing the elements that made season one work while
infusing aspects into the second ushering the story in into exciting new vistas.
The position of show runner was conferred on Remi Aubuchon beginning with
this second season. He no stranger to science fiction particularly stories
exploring dark themes set against contemporary socio-political issues and the
resiliency of the human spirit. Among his previous credits the short lived show
on the SyFy channel and 'Battlestar ‘Galactica’, ‘Caprica’. In this case the
series began in medias res picking up after an extraterrestrial invasion that
has all but destroyed the global civilization of humanity. Initially following a
small cadre of freedom fighters referred to as the Second Massachusetts. This
set up an historical connection to the Continental Army during the American War
of Independence. With this unique take on the subject and an iconic filmmaker,
Steven Spielberg, as a producer the show had the right pedigree for success.
Brought back to active service are retired Captain Weaver (Will Patton) and a
university professor and expert in history, Tom Mason (Noah Wyle). Soon become
the undisputed leaders of both the rag tag military unit and the civilian
population that they protect. Their enemies consist of nearly unstoppable attack
robots called mechs and their insect like controllers commonly called
‘skitters’. Human children were pressed into alien service enslaved by a
bio-mechanical harness embedded into their spines. This formed other side
effects including a psychic bond to their controllers. Removal of the harness is
frequently fatal and even if successful leaves the victim susceptible to alien
influence.
\The end of the first season a third alien variety was revealed, the
elongated humanoids, the overlords. The season finale concludes with a great
cliffhanger with Tom taken captive by the masters and held in their base.
Although quickly liberated many among his former comrades distrusted him as
damaged goods; an alien lackey. Chief among his detractors s former outlaw gang
leader, John Pope (Colin Cunningham) who eventually rejoins the Second Mass as
leader of an elite squad called ‘The Berserkers’ whose propensity for Violence
and extreme tactics makes them ideal for several exceptionally dangerous
missions. For a time Tom is relegated to them creating an antagonistic play for
leadership and the general methodologies of the squad. Adding to the excuse to
distrust Tom is the fact his middle son, Ben (Connor Jessup) was one of the kids
captured although his harness has been removed. A major theme in this season is
Ben’s continued communication with the Skitters. His older brother Hal (Drew
Roy), 16, is now a member in full of the militia and romantically attracted to
Maggie (Sarah Carter), another Second Mass regular, the entire family has hooked
up with Ben attracted to Skitter controlled Karen (Jessy Schram) and Dad
involved with the unit’s doctor Ann Glass ( Moon Bloodgood).all of these
romantic entanglements may drive a prevalent soap opera feel to the series. More
so in the second season than the first, but it does offer juxtaposition between
humanity and our alien invaders an emotional level.
The core goal in the first season was to connect with other units to exchange
Intel and compare tactics. They are contacted by a woman in a vintage airplane
and told there is a significant outpost in Charleston, North Carolina. The trek
there was dangerous but once there they do find a makeshift settlement with a
formal garrison and representative of what is referred to as the new civilian
government. Some members of the 3nd Mass are just glad to local other refugees
that have reestablished some modicum of order. Unfortunately this new government
is tainted with corruption, in league with the military to forward their own
nefarious agenda.it falls to Tom and Captain Weaver to regain control and divert
the civilians from what amounts to a junta. This puts the 2nd Mass
directly in between the aliens and power hungry members of their own kind. This
ploy adds considerable interest by inserting group of characters we have come to
know trapped between alien invaders and power hungry members of their own
species got to use the situation threatening our own species.
This is a time tested and effective means of expanding upon a story of this
nature; to fold the isolated group of survivors into a larger, established
group. By doing this the show could readily introduce new human factions and the
identifiable themes as government corrupted to suit the needs of a power faction
within it. This move to widen out the themes from the myopic fighting to survive
is accomplished to an even greater extent by creating divisions within the
Skitters. It is discovered that the Skitters are not a partner race to the
Overlords but just one of many species enslaved by them. When an autopsy is
performed on one a different type of biometric control harness is found. Within
their ranks there are members of a Skitter resistance movement. This ‘enemy of
my enemy is my ally’ motif proves to be an interesting twist and one that helped
to reinvigorate the series in a proactive fashion. The same ingredients that
made the show great in season one have been expertly tweaked to bring fresh
options for plot lines into play. I fir one can’t wait to see how this unfolds
in season three.
One Page at a Time: Writing the 2nd American Revolution
The Skitter Evolution
A Fan's Perspective: Touring the Set of ~~Falling Skies~~
Behind the Scenes Featurette
Season 2 Animated Trailer, Created by Dark Horse Comics
Season 3 Preview
Audio Commentaries