Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS**

[Gepard]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

It is better than V...

I hate to say it, but I think I enjoyed V more than FS. The writing was worse, sure, but at least V was colorful in its stupidity. It had bizarre CG sets, scenery-chewing aliens and eventual insanity with that whole "soul" business. Fallen Skies is the worst of all possible shows: boring. It's just dull as sin.

 

[Caliburn24]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

This show is really oddly written.

Little things like Ben not seeming like 'himself', Weaver's attitude towards Jimmy, the Doc getting a pistol etc, in a normal show all those things would have a payoff later on. But this show is so all-over-the-place that I have my doubts that a lot of those threads are leading anywhere. Which is sad to me, because some of those moments are the best parts of the show so far.

Oh, and I had hoped that as the show continued our characters would get a better grasp of tactics and strategy, but such is not the case. They are still functioning idiots

Skitters are moving towards our camp, we're going to send ten or twelve kids away with an escort while the main body stays behind at the school to do what?! Delay the skitters? The same skitters who have complete air-dominance and forces seemingly everywhere? Who can put troops anywhere at anytime? Yeah, delaying them is really going to help.

But the main body will be able to move faster in retreat to catch up with the kids!

The same main body that has pregnant women, babies, elderly men and women? Yeah, they're going to be moving fast all right.

The show needs to stop making our heroes look like idiots just to create plot points and drama for each episode.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

I don't think there's any reason to expect them to distrust the other commander. He was known to their own commander, and as far as they know nobody has been in communication with the aliens, and, given the nature of the war, why would the aliens want to collaborate with Humans? The collaboration itself is a bigger stretch than the trust.

"Our" group has already communicated with the aliens twice themselves. Once when the aliens sent a message by executing the kids because the group tried to rescue some of them, and once when the Skitter in captivity spoke through the kid with the harness. It's clear they have some grasp of human psychology and the ability to speak to humans by proxy.

I don't think it's that much of a stretch at all to entertain the possibility that the situation was kind of hinky. In the end their trust of their comrade might override any suspicions, but it would be nice if someone had at least expressed the possibility. It's annoying when the big twist can be seen a mile off by fans but the characters who are exposed to the same questionable behaviors don't even have the first clue.

 

[Star Wolf]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

I don't think there's any reason to expect them to distrust the other commander. He was known to their own commander, and as far as they know nobody has been in communication with the aliens, and, given the nature of the war, why would the aliens want to collaborate with Humans? The collaboration itself is a bigger stretch than the trust.

"Our" group has already communicated with the aliens twice themselves. Once when the aliens sent a message by executing the kids because the group tried to rescue some of them, and once when the Skitter in captivity spoke through the kid with the harness. It's clear they have some grasp of human psychology and the ability to speak to humans by proxy.

I don't think it's that much of a stretch at all to entertain the possibility that the situation was kind of hinky. In the end their trust of their comrade might override any suspicions, but it would be nice if someone had at least expressed the possibility. It's annoying when the big twist can be seen a mile off by fans but the characters who are exposed to the same questionable behaviors don't even have the first clue.

Well to be fair fans go in expecting something like that. The Law & Order twist as NBC tried to trademark the trope.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

The characters have been betrayed by their fellow humans and had people do desperate things for their kids numerous times already. Is it really a twist if they keep making the same stupid mistakes?

 

[FreezeC77]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

I think I'm a bit twisted, but when the guy talked about how the Skitter's didn't wipe out the other camp until after they had abducted the final kid and only then did they wipe out the adults... My take on that was "Wow. We really need to keep all these kids around so they're kind of like human shields if Skitter's ever find us."

 

[DeadmeatDiggory]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

You know, it's funny. It's not that this is bad, it's not. But its just not fun. I care nothing for the characters, in fact the only one that I've actually liked is the rescued son. I don't care if they beat their foe, and that's alien invasion 101 right there. And I'm not at all interested in the Skitters, and really that's the hook every show like this needs: who are the aliens, where did they come from, why are they here, etc? I just don't care. And I can't help but remember what one of the producers said in the first week, that we wouldn't find out anything about the Skitters, so I ask why do I even bother watching?

 

[RichMerk]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

Very boring episode. Nothing a all happened until the last 3 minutes. At least the cliffhanger makes next week's episode sound more exciting. The constant "we're doing everything for the kids, the kids are the future, I'll die for my kids" litany is being way overdone and is starting to wear really thin.

I'm still holding out hope though that it'll be worth suffering through a few dud episodes in the long run.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

I don't think there's any reason to expect them to distrust the other commander. He was known to their own commander, and as far as they know nobody has been in communication with the aliens, and, given the nature of the war, why would the aliens want to collaborate with Humans? The collaboration itself is a bigger stretch than the trust.

"Our" group has already communicated with the aliens twice themselves. Once when the aliens sent a message by executing the kids because the group tried to rescue some of them, and once when the Skitter in captivity spoke through the kid with the harness. It's clear they have some grasp of human psychology and the ability to speak to humans by proxy.

I don't think it's that much of a stretch at all to entertain the possibility that the situation was kind of hinky. In the end their trust of their comrade might override any suspicions, but it would be nice if someone had at least expressed the possibility. It's annoying when the big twist can be seen a mile off by fans but the characters who are exposed to the same questionable behaviors don't even have the first clue.

The execution wasn't really communication and they spoke to Rick for a few seconds and I don't think it was really clear to them that it was the Skitter speaking. They have no indication that anyone else has even attempted to communicate through the children, or any other way, let alone entered into any arrangements with them. Given that the enemy are creepy bug-like things from outer space, collaboration should be a pretty far-fetched concept to them.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

The execution wasn't really communication and they spoke to Rick for a few seconds and I don't think it was really clear to them that it was the Skitter speaking.

The humans were taking their kids back from the Skitters one at a time. So the Skitters lined a group of them up and had the Mech execute them in front of a teen who was part of the same group from the rescue attempt. The message was perfectly clear, keep trying to rescue the kids and we'll kill more of them. It indicates a knowledge of human psychology and a knowledge of the individuals opposing them. How you don't consider that communication is beyond me. Why, just because it's non-verbal?

Of course it was clear to them that the Skitter was speaking though the kid; they addressed him and he responded as such.

Moon Bloodgood's character established a basic rapport with the Skitter before she went off and killed it, and it didn't try to kill her when she got close.

Plus, there's the radio wave communication that they haven't quite figured out how to respond to yet, but others might have.

 

[DarthTom]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

The characters have been betrayed by their fellow humans and had people do desperate things for their kids numerous times already. Is it really a twist if they keep making the same stupid mistakes?

Kudos to the writers for making some of the humans as 'evil,' as the Aliens. It's simply human nature that some of us would be collaborators in an invasion scenario.

Every real life example has illustrated that even the 'good guys,' can be bad one's on occasion.

 

[Vendikarr]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

The characters have been betrayed by their fellow humans and had people do desperate things for their kids numerous times already. Is it really a twist if they keep making the same stupid mistakes?

Kudos to the writers for making some of the humans as 'evil,' as the Aliens. It's simply human nature that some of us would be collaborators in an invasion scenario.

Every real life example has illustrated that even the 'good guys,' can be bad one's on occasion.

I think the 'evil' humans are being rather short sighted. If they are bartering children for their continued survival, what happens when they can no longer acquire children? If the aliens have no further use for you, what reason do they have to let individuals who already proved they would betray their species - live?

Expecting betrayal, they'd be first on my extermination list.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

I think I'm done with the show. It's been on my DVR for a few days... I started watching.. and I just didn't care. I don't really care about the characters, they feel 2 dimensional. The show feels flat and cheap. And it feels like I've been here before, with this story. And for the life of me, except for the original V, I can't remember another show like this. But, it feels familiar and old.

So, I'm done. Deleted from my DVR.

 

[DarthTom]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

And it feels like I've been here before, with this story. And for the life of me, except for the original V, I can't remember another show like this. But, it feels familiar and old.

If you're also watching the Walking Dead then it's very familiar - at least to me.

Group of people face an apocalyptic world trying to surivie. Traitors, adulterers, good people and bad are in the group.

Replace Aliens with Zombies and replace the actors on Falling Skies with better one's that are on Walking Dead and you have a rinse repeat of the same theme and storyline.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

And it feels like I've been here before, with this story. And for the life of me, except for the original V, I can't remember another show like this. But, it feels familiar and old.

If you're also watching the Walking Dead then it's very familiar - at least to me.

Nah, I stopped watching Walking Dead. Bo-ring.

Though, one of the reasons I stopped watching: dumb characters doing dumb things. So, yeah, that's in common with Falling skies.

Group of people face an apocalyptic world trying to surivie. Traitors, adulterers, good people and bad are in the group.

Replace Aliens with Zombies and replace the actors on Falling Skies with better one's that are on Walking Dead and you have a rinse repeat of the same theme and storyline.

Zombies and Aliens though are different. I don't know. I don't think it's that simple.

I think it's about tone. And the choice of the kinds of characters. I don't know...

Because it's not the idea itself that I find boring and unengaging. I really liked the first season of the UK show Survivors. Post apocalyptic world, wiped out by disease, but things felt more... engaging to me. And, actually, scarier than with Falling Skies or Walking Dead.

 

[DarthTom]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

Zombies and Aliens though are different. I don't know. I don't think it's that simple.

I think it's about tone. And the choice of the kinds of characters. I don't know...

Because it's not the idea itself that I find boring and unengaging. I really liked the first season of the UK show Survivors. Post apocalyptic world, wiped out by disease, but things felt more... engaging to me. And, actually, scarier than with Falling Skies or Walking Dead.

I don't know with you specifically or not but I've found that many Trek fans cannot get into other sci-fi as much as Trek because most of these other shows are missing the tech component of Trek sci-fi and it becomes uninteresting for them.

Perhaps not with you but the techno babble on Trek makes the show interesting whereas I've also found for non Trek fans they hate that component of Trek - which was noticeably absent in the far more popular Trek XI film.

In any case, I agree the characters are very two dimensional on Falling Skies. But like any show you have to give the actors enough time to grow into their roles in order to give any new show a chance.

 

[highlander]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

I was thinking that the next episode maybe a make it or break it episode, at least for some. The second half of most two part episodes are generally kick ass. If Sanctuary pt. 2 falls flat and doesn't live up to that expectation I worry that the numbers could tumble a bit. IDK just a feeling I have.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

The execution wasn't really communication and they spoke to Rick for a few seconds and I don't think it was really clear to them that it was the Skitter speaking.

The humans were taking their kids back from the Skitters one at a time. So the Skitters lined a group of them up and had the Mech execute them in front of a teen who was part of the same group from the rescue attempt. The message was perfectly clear, keep trying to rescue the kids and we'll kill more of them. It indicates a knowledge of human psychology and a knowledge of the individuals opposing them. How you don't consider that communication is beyond me. Why, just because it's non-verbal?

Exactly. It's a simple message, about as simple as it gets. It's not the complex communication required to negotiate and agree to a contract.

Of course it was clear to them that the Skitter was speaking though the kid; they addressed him and he responded as such.

Maybe I'm wrong, but as I remember it the kid said "Kill me" and then the guy removed the harness before they could actually confirm it was the Skitter speaking.

Moon Bloodgood's character established a basic rapport with the Skitter before she went off and killed it, and it didn't try to kill her when she got close.

Still just basics. No language involved.

Plus, there's the radio wave communication that they haven't quite figured out how to respond to yet, but others might have.

Sure, but, again, as far as they know they made that discovery. They seem to have couriers bringing information back and forth between groups-- that's how they found out about the doctor learning how to remove the harnesses. No such message was received regarding attempts at communication. As far as they know, the aliens have no desire or need to communicate. Plus the fact that these people shouldn't know that they're on a TV show-- the thought of a resistance commander trading children to monsters from outer space should be pretty much unthinkable to them.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

Zombies and Aliens though are different. I don't know. I don't think it's that simple.

I think it's about tone. And the choice of the kinds of characters. I don't know...

Because it's not the idea itself that I find boring and unengaging. I really liked the first season of the UK show Survivors. Post apocalyptic world, wiped out by disease, but things felt more... engaging to me. And, actually, scarier than with Falling Skies or Walking Dead.

I don't know with you specifically or not but I've found that many Trek fans cannot get into other sci-fi as much as Trek because most of these other shows are missing the tech component of Trek sci-fi and it becomes uninteresting for them.

Oh, no. I like lots of other sci-fi shows. Treks technobabble is what made me stop watching it, actually. For me, it comes down to characters. If I'm engaged in the characters. And with this show, I'm not.

Perhaps not with you but the techno babble on Trek makes the show interesting whereas I've also found for non Trek fans they hate that component of Trek - which was noticeably absent in the far more popular Trek XI film.

Which I loved. I don't think it's a technical component, but rather technoBABBLE. There's a technical component to Star Trek 2 (the genesis device) and Trek 4 (time travel), but what makes them great are the characters. The component was the hook.

Babble is just nonsense and false.

In any case, I agree the characters are very two dimensional on Falling Skies. But like any show you have to give the actors enough time to grow into their roles in order to give any new show a chance.

Yeah. But, I'm thinking 4 to 5 hours is enough for me. There's to much to watch and read to wait until people get it together. And many of my favorite shows were great right out of the box. Breaking Bad. BSG. Doctor Who. Burn Notice.

 

[Palladin5]

Re: Falling Skies 1.5 "Sanctuary pt. 1" Discussion/Comment **SPOILERS*

Seriously ENOUGH WITH THE KIDS already. This is an interesting subplot that has taken over the show. The twist was totally obvious 5 minutes in. The writers foreshadow with a sledgehammer. I really really want to like this show but it honestly getting old...