The fourth season of Falling Skies starts out well enough, as Tom (Noah Wyle) and his group are just about to arrive in Charleston when they are attacked and trapped by the Espheni. From that point on, the team is playing from behind and the Espheni keep upping the ante in regards to obstacles. That equals out to some intense action that keeps the show’s motor roaring.
The first big obstacle in season four is an electronic green force field that keeps the team, and more than a few others, in a concentration camp of sorts. This is one part of this series that is fascinating is how the team tries to work out a plan/strategy for getting beyond the green walls. Think of this as an alien version of “The Great Escape”, minus the humor here and there. The second intriguing portion of this storyline is why the Espheni are keeping the group alive. Horrifying is the answer to that last sentence, and its an ongoing part of the story until the last episode (not going to give this away).
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As the fourth season continues, other issues are brought up that create more complication to the overall arc. Tom and his family reunite with Lexi, who has found herself a mind-slave to the Espheni. What is terrible and wonderful about this portion of the story is that it creates a dichotomy between the family/friends. The family wants to do everything they can to help Lexi, while parts of the other group want to take her out because of her Espheni affiliation. It’s quite the conundrum.
As the season spirals towards the final episode, it hits its zenith when the team is running out of time to get ‘something big’ done before a terrible set of events occurs that could change human history forever. Like I stated at the beginning, I will have to go search out the previous three seasons to get the entire aspect of this show, but from what I can tell by just this one season, the show is a real cut above what I thought it might be.
The production value is a lot better than I assumed, certainly well above a Stargate show. The writing, while certainly still television oriented, seems more competent and somewhere in the middle of the road when compared to other shows of its type. What it reminds me of the most is Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, except just slightly less horrifying (not by much, though).
On the technical side of the equation, the videography, editing and even the special effects (on a television budget no less) are nothing short of superb. It does seem like maybe some sets were adjusted and re-used at times, but the way cable is pulling in ad revenue these days, I’ll certainly be happy to let that slide.
If I had to knock the show for anything, it would be some actors are clearly into their roles (Noah Wyle), while others look somewhat uncomfortable with their respective characters (see Mira Sorvino for example). This sort of stuff happens when big actors go from movies to television, but some of the storylines written for them might not have interested them enough to give full effort. I don’t like assuming, but sometimes it seems that might be the case.
Overall, the fourth season of Falling Skies starts fast, keeps up the pace in the middle of the season and then spirals towards a wonderful crescendo. The show is more than I thought it would be and I honestly can’t wait to check more of it out. Bravo, TNT, for taking a chance on a sci-fi survival thriller.
On the Blu-ray side of things, the transfer is pretty damn good. You get little to no issues with graininess or artifacts. While the video quality certainly leans on a tint of yellow and blue to emulate the desperate situation the humans are in, the overall picture clarity is pretty solid. It’s a really good transfer to HD.
As for the special features, here’s what you’re looking at:
– Tom Mason: A Man of Tomorrow
– Episodic Prequels
– Inside the Episode
– Character Interviews
– 2014 Comic-Con Panel
For a television show, there’s a lot here. The featureless and the prequels are nice, as are the character interviews. I wish there was commentary, though, as it might provide just a bit more insight on the episodes. Regardless, still a good amount of features.
