Falling Skies Season Finale Review: A Lot of Dialogue, Drama Comments (Page 2)
53 Comments
Frenetic
August 15th, 2011 10:02 PM
I actually liked "Mutiny" better than the final episode, which was a disappointment. The final scene with Weaver being confronted by Tom and the others was well done, and suspenseful.
People forget this show is more about characters than combat with aliens. It's a family show. It's got Spielberg pixie dust all over it. However, the finale let me down.
Tom going into the alien ship is a ridiculous concept. People are right complaining there are not enough action scenes, but that is probably a budgetary thing. The aliens themselves, with their long spindly limbs look ridiculous as well. There are huge plot holes, and bad science. Also, the eerie siren moan the mechs eminate whenever they stomp around
People complain about the acting, but generally speaking I disagree. The character Jimmy is played by an excellent young actor. Pope is good as well, and has the best lines in the show... he kind of reminds me of how a reckless Dennis Miller would dialogue in a dystopia
Sure, Diehl...Draft 1 is on white paper, Draft 2 is on, say blue paper, Draft 3 is on yellow, 4 is on green, etc. It's not uncommon for people on the floor to say "Dump that script, Yellows just came out an hour ago, I think they're doing another pass and we'll have greens by this afternoon. The colour key is posted so everybody knows if they see a more advanced colour go by in someone's hand there's another rewrite. Often, they don't redo the whole script, just a scene, or even a page, so people's scripts can be multicoloured as they swap pages in and out...
RealDiehl Rank: Guest Star
August 14th, 2011 4:34 PM
@ Piecar:
Can you explain what you mean by "Color Keys".
I apologize for getting off-topic here. Just trying to satisfy my own curiosity and gain some insight into the creative processes involved in making a show.
TJAM
August 14th, 2011 2:50 PM
The show really needs to enlist some top-notch writers who are also committed to enlisting expert consultants - various scientists, etc. I am not an expert writer but I do know that it is quite a writing challenge to weave in backstory to the level necessary for this story. It seems they need to find a better balance between going back and moving forward as the story really lacks movement as well as depth. Further, weaving in the backstory seemed take on a life of its own in the sense that this approach is overused in a way that leaves out essential more recent/current events. I think the story has much potential but needs a really great screen writer who can handle the challenges of starting "in the aftermath". The story also lacks scientific expertise. Fortunately, both of these are potentially fixable. I hope the show takes steps to address these and some of the other issues noted in the comments as I really love the ideas and, unlike some reviewers, I do like the characters
Elle....This site is about reviewing, positive or negative. If there's a place to put your two cents in, this is it. So, you enjoyed the show, did you? What was it that grabbed you? Sway some thinking here. Tell us what we're missing.
As for slagging the writers...Well, after almost twenty years working in tv, I know that it ain't the writers that are at fault here. Writers often turn in terrific scripts, which are then picked apart by committee. There is a colour key to drafts of scripts which numbers up to a dozen iterations, and often goes double versions of colours.
The decisions made with the abysmal finale were NOT decisions made the be writers. I gotta bet they wrote scenes were the 2nd Mass went to town on the aliens. It had to have been a budgetary decision while they paid for the absolutely TERRIBLE CGI...Or they blew their budget early in the season. THEY were the one who told us there was a big battle coming, and that many units were involved. They didn't ha
Bill
August 12th, 2011 8:00 PM
Why so long between seasons you will lose viewers with that long wait and why so short a season needs to be longer seasons I'm still up in the air with the show and for season 2 not until summer 2012 might just end it for me
Erik
August 12th, 2011 12:41 PM
@ cyberdactyl: The writers may not have a clue about basic physics, but by the look of your post you might not have a clue about basic English usage. So provided that you know Physics (which was not necessarily evident in your post), then that puts you even with the writers because they know writing and not physics and you are the opposite. The difference is that you care enough to come on here and rip them, whereas they don't give a crap about you.
On a more serious note, the episode was an epic letdown. I am ok with the cliffhanger for season 2, my biggest beef is the off-camera stuff that the author talks about. I can suffer through the cliched characters and mediocre dialogue as long as the interesting secrets and plot wrinkles keep coming. However, when pivotal events on the show happen outside of our view, that is inexcusable.
I am not a meat head action guy who needs to see shooting in his movies. On the contrary I prefer cerebral stuff. However on a show about a guerrilla
Elle
August 12th, 2011 2:36 AM
If you don't like the show then why are you reading the reviews about it?? Seriously do you have nothing better to do? You might thinks its shit but obviously the the millions of people who watch it every week enjoy it so why don't you just keep your opinions to yourself and stop hating.
Robbi Key
August 10th, 2011 6:28 PM
to all who think this show is cheesy, agreed but most fantasy is, this is meant as entertainment not a documentary! entertainment is not necessarially intellectually driven! enjoy it for what it is, fantasy.
RealDiehl Rank: Guest Star
August 10th, 2011 1:13 PM
Ouch! I hope the writers have excellent benefits. They're being torn to shreds here; maybe a bit unfairly. I don't know how a series is written or produced. Maybe the writers were given an outline by the producers of the series and told to make it all fit within 10 episodes. Maybe that's why so much action was left out. It could be that it was just impossible to fit it all in.
Some things appear to defy logic: The aliens tell Tom they didn't expect this much resistance. What? Did they think humans would just give up and allow their children to be stolen from them? Sounds ridiculous at first.
Possible explanation: The Aliens' civilization could have some kind of social hive mentality. It could be from their point of view that once you take out the soldiers and leaders, the remaining population is genetically predisposed to just fall in line and obey the new overlords. Also, look back to the Revolutionary War that Tom refers to all the time. Armies at the time adhered to
Cyberdactyl
August 10th, 2011 9:40 AM
I agree with Piecar 100%.
The guffaws come about every 10 minutes in the show. For example, earlier in the season, the red-haired crazy woman was able to "get the jump on them" when they were chit-chatting in normal conversational volume and walking down the center of the street like they had not a care in the world.
Riding loud dirt bikes everywhere for go sake!
Mech armor that can be "melded down" and made into miracle bullets!
The SPARKS the antenna lead made.
The writers on this show have not the slightest clue on basic physics.
By the way, I love the accompanying photo for this review...without context, Noah Wyle looks like he's playing a mentally handicapped homeless person.
fortyseven Rank: Regular Character
August 10th, 2011 2:11 AM
Mediocre. First hour was a waste. Second hour was disappointing. Bad writing. I love Pope. I like Maggie. The series has been too cliched and full of plot holes.
The show is cheesy....I can't imagine anyone arguing that point....but this was way over the top on bad.
All the points mentioned are correct. The Aliens laid low by a crappy vacuum tube radio and a flagpole. Every battle talked about but not seen. Long winded speeches. A character brought in to be a tough zealous military man...Only to die off screen. A direct "Crimson Tide" rip off that meant ABSOLUTELY NOTHING because they get all touchy feely nine minutes later...But the worst was when the Mechs march on the school, first they UNLOAD on one Mech when one bullet can put a cannonball sized hole through it. Then they all talk about how they only have about 5 bullets a piece. Then Ben appears with the world's long set of jumper cables. Then we proceed to look at the GROUND while everyone stand up and shoots a hundred rounds at the Mechs until they run away? We are actually IN a firefight and are not allowed to see it? That's just garbage|!
And the Rube Goldberg signal j
Veles
August 9th, 2011 1:45 PM
From Argentina: This Show sucks. There was no action at all, and what could have been an opportunity for TNT to make a great show like "Band of Brothers" became a joke no better than "V". They've wasted my time.
ash
August 9th, 2011 4:23 AM
I'm just expecting exposition dialog next season premiere, when Tom shows up, somehow off the spaceship... cuz,... well... you know they would'nt go with the amnesia storyline... would they?
this show is really not that good, but there really isn't an alien show on right now... so I keep finding myself watching it for some sort of charm in all the bad acting and pacing. Atleast the cast isn't whitewashed.
remember back when there were so many you got confused which one you were watching? Threshold...where have you gone? ;P
Kroyax
August 8th, 2011 10:22 PM
Very bad CGIs, this is 2011!
I do agree that the finale was very disappointing, i'm not an "action series" guy, but it makes it more realistic. Although, the problem here was that many things are still to explain, too much useless, boring... information, since ep8 it was more then obvious that Ben and Rick are evolving, so no big secrets where uncovered in the last 2 ep. Unfortunately, many hours of my time were wasted...
Do Over
August 8th, 2011 6:54 PM
Do over: Falling Skies in 10 episodes (really 8 if you take out one Sanctuary and Mutiny that was of no use) has been a waste of TV air. You would think with the money they are spending the writers would be of higher caliber. The writers are leaving out a lot of information that should be given to us. For one we all know that you cannot trust the aliens as they have all ready killed off 80 percent of the human population. Shot and killed 6 children in front of Hal to make a point. They’re using out children for slaves turning them into Skidders. In one episode in the medical center the Doctor (before he was killed) is talking to one Skidder through Rick. The Skidder after being told he cannot leave tells them to kill him, as he will be punished. SOOOOO question, maybe the Skidders want to get away from the tall aliens who are using them. Maybe the Skidder’s can be used to over through the Humanoid Aliens. Pope, who I thought should have been killed off in his first debut,
Rick Scheuer Rank: Guest Star
August 8th, 2011 5:16 PM
Argeed too much exposition. And just to raise the stakes, go mack on Moon! I was like, okaaaay. Really, the best part of the last episode is Margaret (Sarah Carter) who helped get Jimmy through the battle. She's got attitude and looks good with an assault rifle! I as satisfied though, overall, valid criticisms notwithstanding. The show did what it could on what was obviously a very limited budget. I mean, with Rodat, Graham Yost, and Mark Verheiden as your creative talent, they aren't lacking for decent writing depth; I hope that next season brings increased expectations and a larger budget to make them happen.
MyMarie
August 8th, 2011 4:29 PM
Tom going with the aliens made no sense..."in reality" however if you are writing the out-come I guess it doesn't matter. I kind of thought this series may be a snoozer when the first episode started with a child narrating "this is what the aliens did, with crayons." Hopefully it perks up next season, although I feel it will end up in the "been there, done that" file.
Carlos from DR
August 8th, 2011 3:59 PM
I agree with all comments above....one word to the writers: BORING.
ill wait for game of thrones and spartacus....anything else looks like Barney the purple dinosaur-
rm
August 8th, 2011 3:58 PM
TS: I noticed the metal thing on pope and hit rewind also. Hard to tell but no one else here seemed to notice
T.E.
August 8th, 2011 3:49 PM
"What are the things that the aliens have promised and have actually fulfilled?" About 5-6 episodes back, the aliens made a deal with the group staying at the lodge/farm that they would not harm them so long as children were brought to them. Up until this deal was broken up by 2nd Mass, the aliens seemed to keep their word, leaving that particular camp of people alone. And then 3-4 episodes ago, the same deal was made to that old lady. It's unclear how long these deals would last, but we never saw a deal broken. Tom goes along because he wants to protect his kids. My father said he'd take a bullet for his children if it ever came down to it, and I'm sure many other fathers have that same attitude. Because his lady doctor friend suggested that Ben was likely to transform, hearing the aliens tell him the same thing probably confirmed it enough that he could either not go and watch his son become a skitter, or take his chances on board with the aliens in hopes that he can save his
tmac4win
August 8th, 2011 2:23 PM
I don't understand why Tom agreed to go with the aliens. Haven't we seen enough that the aliens can't be trusted. What are the things that the aliens have promised and have actually fulfilled?
and also this series is filled with flaws and bad CGI and what not.
Mrs. Cleaver
August 8th, 2011 2:03 PM
So disappointed in this series. Lots of talk, not much action (or aliens). I'll watch the beginning next year but don't have very high hopes.
August 15th, 2011 10:02 PM
I actually liked "Mutiny" better than the final episode, which was a disappointment. The final scene with Weaver being confronted by Tom and the others was well done, and suspenseful.
People forget this show is more about characters than combat with aliens. It's a family show. It's got Spielberg pixie dust all over it. However, the finale let me down.
Tom going into the alien ship is a ridiculous concept. People are right complaining there are not enough action scenes, but that is probably a budgetary thing. The aliens themselves, with their long spindly limbs look ridiculous as well. There are huge plot holes, and bad science. Also, the eerie siren moan the mechs eminate whenever they stomp around
People complain about the acting, but generally speaking I disagree. The character Jimmy is played by an excellent young actor. Pope is good as well, and has the best lines in the show... he kind of reminds me of how a reckless Dennis Miller would dialogue in a dystopia
Rank: Guest Star
August 14th, 2011 8:18 PM
Sure, Diehl...Draft 1 is on white paper, Draft 2 is on, say blue paper, Draft 3 is on yellow, 4 is on green, etc. It's not uncommon for people on the floor to say "Dump that script, Yellows just came out an hour ago, I think they're doing another pass and we'll have greens by this afternoon. The colour key is posted so everybody knows if they see a more advanced colour go by in someone's hand there's another rewrite. Often, they don't redo the whole script, just a scene, or even a page, so people's scripts can be multicoloured as they swap pages in and out...
Rank: Guest Star
August 14th, 2011 4:34 PM
@ Piecar:
Can you explain what you mean by "Color Keys".
I apologize for getting off-topic here. Just trying to satisfy my own curiosity and gain some insight into the creative processes involved in making a show.
August 14th, 2011 2:50 PM
The show really needs to enlist some top-notch writers who are also committed to enlisting expert consultants - various scientists, etc. I am not an expert writer but I do know that it is quite a writing challenge to weave in backstory to the level necessary for this story. It seems they need to find a better balance between going back and moving forward as the story really lacks movement as well as depth. Further, weaving in the backstory seemed take on a life of its own in the sense that this approach is overused in a way that leaves out essential more recent/current events. I think the story has much potential but needs a really great screen writer who can handle the challenges of starting "in the aftermath". The story also lacks scientific expertise. Fortunately, both of these are potentially fixable. I hope the show takes steps to address these and some of the other issues noted in the comments as I really love the ideas and, unlike some reviewers, I do like the characters
Rank: Guest Star
August 14th, 2011 1:42 AM
Elle....This site is about reviewing, positive or negative. If there's a place to put your two cents in, this is it. So, you enjoyed the show, did you? What was it that grabbed you? Sway some thinking here. Tell us what we're missing.
As for slagging the writers...Well, after almost twenty years working in tv, I know that it ain't the writers that are at fault here. Writers often turn in terrific scripts, which are then picked apart by committee. There is a colour key to drafts of scripts which numbers up to a dozen iterations, and often goes double versions of colours.
The decisions made with the abysmal finale were NOT decisions made the be writers. I gotta bet they wrote scenes were the 2nd Mass went to town on the aliens. It had to have been a budgetary decision while they paid for the absolutely TERRIBLE CGI...Or they blew their budget early in the season. THEY were the one who told us there was a big battle coming, and that many units were involved. They didn't ha
August 12th, 2011 8:00 PM
Why so long between seasons you will lose viewers with that long wait and why so short a season needs to be longer seasons I'm still up in the air with the show and for season 2 not until summer 2012 might just end it for me
August 12th, 2011 12:41 PM
@ cyberdactyl: The writers may not have a clue about basic physics, but by the look of your post you might not have a clue about basic English usage. So provided that you know Physics (which was not necessarily evident in your post), then that puts you even with the writers because they know writing and not physics and you are the opposite. The difference is that you care enough to come on here and rip them, whereas they don't give a crap about you.
On a more serious note, the episode was an epic letdown. I am ok with the cliffhanger for season 2, my biggest beef is the off-camera stuff that the author talks about. I can suffer through the cliched characters and mediocre dialogue as long as the interesting secrets and plot wrinkles keep coming. However, when pivotal events on the show happen outside of our view, that is inexcusable.
I am not a meat head action guy who needs to see shooting in his movies. On the contrary I prefer cerebral stuff. However on a show about a guerrilla
August 12th, 2011 2:36 AM
If you don't like the show then why are you reading the reviews about it?? Seriously do you have nothing better to do? You might thinks its shit but obviously the the millions of people who watch it every week enjoy it so why don't you just keep your opinions to yourself and stop hating.
August 10th, 2011 6:28 PM
to all who think this show is cheesy, agreed but most fantasy is, this is meant as entertainment not a documentary! entertainment is not necessarially intellectually driven! enjoy it for what it is, fantasy.
Rank: Guest Star
August 10th, 2011 1:13 PM
Ouch! I hope the writers have excellent benefits. They're being torn to shreds here; maybe a bit unfairly. I don't know how a series is written or produced. Maybe the writers were given an outline by the producers of the series and told to make it all fit within 10 episodes. Maybe that's why so much action was left out. It could be that it was just impossible to fit it all in.
Some things appear to defy logic: The aliens tell Tom they didn't expect this much resistance. What? Did they think humans would just give up and allow their children to be stolen from them? Sounds ridiculous at first.
Possible explanation: The Aliens' civilization could have some kind of social hive mentality. It could be from their point of view that once you take out the soldiers and leaders, the remaining population is genetically predisposed to just fall in line and obey the new overlords. Also, look back to the Revolutionary War that Tom refers to all the time. Armies at the time adhered to
August 10th, 2011 9:40 AM
I agree with Piecar 100%.
The guffaws come about every 10 minutes in the show. For example, earlier in the season, the red-haired crazy woman was able to "get the jump on them" when they were chit-chatting in normal conversational volume and walking down the center of the street like they had not a care in the world.
Riding loud dirt bikes everywhere for go sake!
Mech armor that can be "melded down" and made into miracle bullets!
The SPARKS the antenna lead made.
The writers on this show have not the slightest clue on basic physics.
Rank: Guest Star
August 10th, 2011 9:05 AM
By the way, I love the accompanying photo for this review...without context, Noah Wyle looks like he's playing a mentally handicapped homeless person.
Rank: Regular Character
August 10th, 2011 2:11 AM
Mediocre. First hour was a waste. Second hour was disappointing. Bad writing. I love Pope. I like Maggie. The series has been too cliched and full of plot holes.
Rank: Guest Star
August 9th, 2011 9:17 PM
The show is cheesy....I can't imagine anyone arguing that point....but this was way over the top on bad.
All the points mentioned are correct. The Aliens laid low by a crappy vacuum tube radio and a flagpole. Every battle talked about but not seen. Long winded speeches. A character brought in to be a tough zealous military man...Only to die off screen. A direct "Crimson Tide" rip off that meant ABSOLUTELY NOTHING because they get all touchy feely nine minutes later...But the worst was when the Mechs march on the school, first they UNLOAD on one Mech when one bullet can put a cannonball sized hole through it. Then they all talk about how they only have about 5 bullets a piece. Then Ben appears with the world's long set of jumper cables. Then we proceed to look at the GROUND while everyone stand up and shoots a hundred rounds at the Mechs until they run away? We are actually IN a firefight and are not allowed to see it? That's just garbage|!
And the Rube Goldberg signal j
August 9th, 2011 1:45 PM
From Argentina: This Show sucks. There was no action at all, and what could have been an opportunity for TNT to make a great show like "Band of Brothers" became a joke no better than "V". They've wasted my time.
August 9th, 2011 4:23 AM
I'm just expecting exposition dialog next season premiere, when Tom shows up, somehow off the spaceship... cuz,... well... you know they would'nt go with the amnesia storyline... would they?
this show is really not that good, but there really isn't an alien show on right now... so I keep finding myself watching it for some sort of charm in all the bad acting and pacing. Atleast the cast isn't whitewashed.
remember back when there were so many you got confused which one you were watching? Threshold...where have you gone? ;P
August 8th, 2011 10:22 PM
Very bad CGIs, this is 2011!
I do agree that the finale was very disappointing, i'm not an "action series" guy, but it makes it more realistic. Although, the problem here was that many things are still to explain, too much useless, boring... information, since ep8 it was more then obvious that Ben and Rick are evolving, so no big secrets where uncovered in the last 2 ep. Unfortunately, many hours of my time were wasted...
August 8th, 2011 6:54 PM
Do over: Falling Skies in 10 episodes (really 8 if you take out one Sanctuary and Mutiny that was of no use) has been a waste of TV air. You would think with the money they are spending the writers would be of higher caliber. The writers are leaving out a lot of information that should be given to us. For one we all know that you cannot trust the aliens as they have all ready killed off 80 percent of the human population. Shot and killed 6 children in front of Hal to make a point. They’re using out children for slaves turning them into Skidders. In one episode in the medical center the Doctor (before he was killed) is talking to one Skidder through Rick. The Skidder after being told he cannot leave tells them to kill him, as he will be punished. SOOOOO question, maybe the Skidders want to get away from the tall aliens who are using them. Maybe the Skidder’s can be used to over through the Humanoid Aliens. Pope, who I thought should have been killed off in his first debut,
Rank: Guest Star
August 8th, 2011 5:16 PM
Argeed too much exposition. And just to raise the stakes, go mack on Moon! I was like, okaaaay. Really, the best part of the last episode is Margaret (Sarah Carter) who helped get Jimmy through the battle. She's got attitude and looks good with an assault rifle! I as satisfied though, overall, valid criticisms notwithstanding. The show did what it could on what was obviously a very limited budget. I mean, with Rodat, Graham Yost, and Mark Verheiden as your creative talent, they aren't lacking for decent writing depth; I hope that next season brings increased expectations and a larger budget to make them happen.
August 8th, 2011 4:29 PM
Tom going with the aliens made no sense..."in reality" however if you are writing the out-come I guess it doesn't matter. I kind of thought this series may be a snoozer when the first episode started with a child narrating "this is what the aliens did, with crayons." Hopefully it perks up next season, although I feel it will end up in the "been there, done that" file.
August 8th, 2011 3:59 PM
I agree with all comments above....one word to the writers: BORING.
ill wait for game of thrones and spartacus....anything else looks like Barney the purple dinosaur-
August 8th, 2011 3:58 PM
TS: I noticed the metal thing on pope and hit rewind also. Hard to tell but no one else here seemed to notice
August 8th, 2011 3:49 PM
"What are the things that the aliens have promised and have actually fulfilled?" About 5-6 episodes back, the aliens made a deal with the group staying at the lodge/farm that they would not harm them so long as children were brought to them. Up until this deal was broken up by 2nd Mass, the aliens seemed to keep their word, leaving that particular camp of people alone. And then 3-4 episodes ago, the same deal was made to that old lady. It's unclear how long these deals would last, but we never saw a deal broken. Tom goes along because he wants to protect his kids. My father said he'd take a bullet for his children if it ever came down to it, and I'm sure many other fathers have that same attitude. Because his lady doctor friend suggested that Ben was likely to transform, hearing the aliens tell him the same thing probably confirmed it enough that he could either not go and watch his son become a skitter, or take his chances on board with the aliens in hopes that he can save his
August 8th, 2011 2:23 PM
I don't understand why Tom agreed to go with the aliens. Haven't we seen enough that the aliens can't be trusted. What are the things that the aliens have promised and have actually fulfilled?
and also this series is filled with flaws and bad CGI and what not.
August 8th, 2011 2:03 PM
So disappointed in this series. Lots of talk, not much action (or aliens). I'll watch the beginning next year but don't have very high hopes.