Falling Skies (2011 Series1 Robert Rodat)

"I was in school when the ships came. They were really big, and they said that we weren't gonna attack them with the nuclear bombs, because they might have wanted to be friends. But they didn't want to be friends... not at all." http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462059/episodes?season=1

Finally, a good post apocalyptic series that has nothing to do with zombies! This army based SF is truely excellent, it combines the arguments of military vs civilian control with intelligent, believable, alien SF and progresses at a comfortable pace, episodes feel set instantly after the previous episode but the story still develops, and the developments it makes are amazing.

The series is based upon a group of soldiers and civilians who are trying to find more survivors, re arm themselves and continue surviving in general. The Mason family are the main protagonists, Tom a history professor turned second in command and his three sons who vary in age from 8 to 21, one of which is missing, presumed "harnessed" or dead.

The military control of the main characters makes it easy for episodic narratives to be put in place, mission based episodes, as I like to call them, are prominent however you get a feeling the whole way through that they are leading to something bigger and better, and well they are! The restricted narration means the audience only know as much about the aliens or "skitters" as the military and civilian protagonists the "2nd Mass" and that sets us up for some really cool SF reveals about the skitters.

(This section will seem odd if you dont know what im on about.... It to me feels a little like the walking dead comics, you have struggles for control and a hopeless future but the characters keep living, dying and growing. The pacing also resembles the walking dead comics to me, the group mnever stay still for long and always run into new trouble. Its interesting that to me this is more like what the walking dead is than what the walking dead TV series is. At least thats what I think it feels like due to the themes, characters, pacing and narratives.)

The whole of the first series is really good, the arcs end at the right time and new ones begin in their place satisfying the need for new and complex motives for the characters. The cast is strong and the visuals and sound are above par for tv. The characters are all interesting and individual, there is someone in there for everyone to like. I enjoyed S1 a lot and couldn't wait for season 2. I recommend this to all!
9/10