| medialifemagazine.com TV Reviews
By the end of the premiere episode of “V,” which airs tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC, we know who the bad guys are, and most of the other main characters have chosen sides. Of course, there’s a good reason for all the haste. This series is a “reimagining” of the 1983 miniseries, which spawned a miniseries sequel and then a short-lived 1984 series. The 1983 version, at least, is fondly remembered by many sci-fi fans, and the central premise is basically unchanged. The biggest reveal will surprise those who are completely ignorant of the earlier broadcasts. In the first few minutes of the premiere, 29 enormous alien spacecraft suddenly appear over major cities the world over. In a very cool special effect, the hulls transform into video screens, on which the ETs’ leader, a beautiful woman named Anna (Morena Baccarin), appears to inform humanity that they “come in peace” (yes, in so many words) and only want to fuel up on water and a certain common chemical. In exchange, they will share their technology and medical knowledge. In case those hovering mother ships remind viewers too much of “Independence Day,” one character says that “Independence Day” ripped off a bunch of previous science fiction — the inside joke being that one of the rip-offs was that exact shot. Although the Visitors, as they call themselves, seem benign, a group of either paranoid kooks or resistance fighters has formed to fight against them. One member blames the aliens for recent economic meltdowns and “unnecessary wars.” Lest that sound as if the show were on one end of the political spectrum, Anna later tells a cooperative reporter, Chad Decker (Scott Wolf), that the Visitors are offering humanity “universal health care.” Science fiction has used alien invasions as a metaphor for colonialism, religious revelation and foreign and domestic threats, whether real or imagined. “V” touches on all of those themes without necessarily choosing one. The premiere suggests that the show will focus on the action and let viewers draw their own deeper conclusions, if they’re so inclined. All that crammed-in action, however, comes at the expense of characterization. Too many of the principals make life-changing decisions after only a few minutes of screen time. Though the series boasts a cast of fine TV actors, including Elizabeth Mitchell of “Lost,” we don’t know the characters well enough to be surprised at their choices or even really care. But “V” boasts plenty of enticing elements — sexy aliens, good special effects and the always compelling possibility of human underdogs uniting to battle technically superior invaders. What’s more, the 1984 series ended its first and only season with a cliff-hanger. Dozens of fans — if not more — have been waiting 25 years for some resolution. © 2010 Media Life |
