Falling Skies, 8/7/11

Part I

*sigh* I guess we should have seen this coming. After Weaver’s breakdown last week, he’s embarrassed about his moment of weakness and taking it out on the one guy who witnessed it. But explain this: once Tom et al. got the lowdown from Dai, why didn’t they just call in everybody else and have him repeat the story? That way, everyone would know that Weaver is acting recklessly and not fit for command; then he would have been relieved of duty. This whole running-around-being-secretive plan seems unnecessarily complicated.

Dai shirtless: unexpected hotness.


Eff. If Ben and Rick can feel that they’re changing and can hear radio waves, guess it’s not just a theory anymore. This fact makes me sad cuz even if humans do win the war, that process does not seem reversible. I doubt there’s a “Reverse Human-to-Skitter Transformation” button to be pushed. Ok, I tried to be mad at Pope when he pulled that gun, but I couldn’t, because a. nobody got hurt and it accomplished nothing since Weaver changed his mind, and b. same as when he saved the kids, Pope is driven — and driven hard — by his desire to kill skitters. I gotta respect that. But still, I was glad when Monotone Maggie put him in his place. And Matt, too, with that, "What's it like, having hair like a girl?" Heh. Shut up, Matt. I like Pope’s hair. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, Weaver’s not a secret pill-popper anymore! Hugs, not drugs.

(Sci-fi randomness: naming the technician/science guy “Scott”—Star Trek reference? The first time someone makes a “Beam me up, Scotty” joke, I am so screaming aloud: “I called it!)

Part II


UGH at the massively creeptastically creepalicious image of Rick CRAWLING UP A WALL :( Noooooo, I don’t want that to happen to Ben. Ew! That harnessed chick in the woods had green scales growing on her! :( Noooooo, I don’t want that to happen to Ben. Maybe … *grasping at straws* … maybe if you fight the process instead of giving in willingly, it won’t happen so fast. Fight, Ben, fight! Gosh, I can’t believe how nice everyone’s being to Rick! Tom didn’t get mad after finding out Rick had told the skitters the 2nd Mass was attacking, Scott(y) didn’t come back for some vengeance after Rick returned to the school, and nobody saw the need to lock him in a cell or at least keep him under armed 24-hr surveillance despite the fact that he was CRAWLING UP A WALL. The only person showing one iota of wit about this Lourdes. Stupid enough to play piano when being hunted, she was smart enough to hesitate when told to go to the infirmary with Rick. Alas, she eventually went. With the boy who was CRAWLING UP A WALL. *sigh*

Random: Am I the only one who woulda been thoroughly confused by Weaver’s “Squad One: North Leg! Two: East!” etc.? I’d have needed to tap someone on the shoulder and be all, “So, um … which one is ours? No — just point to it.” Lol.


Call me Cheesy McCheeserson, but whenever Tom launches into I-used-to-be-a-history-professor speak to try to boost spirits, I get all riled up, too. I mean, he’s right! A few colonists did kick the ass of the entire British empire. Honestly, when he whipped out Patrick Henry’s “The battle is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, and the brave,” I came THIS close to starting a “SKITTERS DIE!” page on Facebook and buying a rifle. And I cheered, loudly, when those goosestepping mechs were forced to retreat.
Tom kissed Anne! Tom kissed Anne! Finally! Finallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

The attack on the spacecraft went pretty much as I thought it would: it failed (God, you suck so hard, Rick.), and almost everybody died except Pope and Weaver. I just wanna say one more time how much I like Pope’s hair—AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH nooooooooooooooooooo not the scary silver humanoid alien things!!!!! No, aliens, don’t take Tom! NO, EPISODE, DON’T END!


And now begins the long wait for season two. Where’s Hal? Now that humans have not only tricked-out bullets but also a way to obstruct alien communication, will the tide turn in our favor? Have Porter and the 3rd and 4th Mass been annihilated? Will Ben and Rick be sprouting green scales and extra legs when next we see them? (Noooooo!) Will Tom be harnessed? Will Dai take his shirt off again?

Falling Skies, 7/31/11

True story: I once lost a $100 bet I couldn’t jump rope for 15 minutes. I was fat and out of shape, but heck, I thought, little girls jump rope! It’s not exactly hauling logs! Well, it might as well have been. I made it all of three minutes. So at the beginning of this episode when we learn Ben has been jumping rope for TWO HOURS AND FORTY MINUTES straight, I got the sads, wondering if that’s a subtle hint that he, like Rick, has been irrevocably evil-ized by the skitters. (I keep almost typing “Skittles.” Taste the rainbow.)

ARRRRRRGH! Ok, skitters are ugly and scary, but those emaciated silver giant humanoid aliens are CREEPY.

When the old lady invited Tom and Hal to her place, you may have been worried it was a trap. But this is Lady Killer Hal the Heartthrob, remember? She’s probably just his love interest this episode. Observation: motorcycles make a LOT of noise. Yes, they go fast, but any aliens in the area can hear you coming a mile away. I’d be riding bicycles.

YAY BEN. “I hate the skitters!” he screamed. But why’s his back not healing like all the other ex-harnessees (except Rick)? Oh—because Rick and Ben are slowly transforming into skitters. :( But, so, is Ben evil? Why doesn’t he tell anybody that Rick is a lost cause? Will he stop Rick from warning the skitters that the humans have figured out how to shoot through mek armor? Pardon the barrage of questions, but this the most interesting subplot of the whole show. It’s cute how little Mac and might-be-evil Ben look alike, but Heartthrob Hal looks like he wandered into the family off the street. Lol. Speaking of Heartthrob Hal, the old lady told the aliens where to find him, Tom, and General Sergeant Major Lieutenant Corporal Commander Colonel Captain Weaver because “they promised they’d bring you back.” Toldja she had the hots for him, heh. ARRRRRRGH at seeing the CREEPY emaciated silver giant humanoid aliens through her peephole. Awwwww. :( Poor Weaver. Take note, show writers: after all he’s been through, it would be oh-so touching if his wife and daughter were indeed alive.

FAIL to Anne and Lourdes for dissecting the skitter wearing nothing more for protection than glasses and gloves. Yeah right. I’d have been in four layers of plastic with my entire head Saran Wrapped, breathing through tiny nostril holes. LOL at Pope’s “That is so three weeks ago” and the dirty look he gave the soldiers for pointing their guns at him. I effing love Pope. Hey, where’s Monotone Maggie? I need my weekly dose of her deadpan.

Two-hour season finale next week? This awesomeness is almost over already? :(

Falling Skies, 7/24/11

Wow. Am I psychic or what? Cuz I totally called Pope coming to the kids’ rescue. Granted, he did it because he was more furious that those people were colluding with skitters than he was concerned about the kids’ welfare, lol, but still. It’s the thought that counts. Plus, I dig his sarcasm. And his hair. Lol.

Ok, any points that General Sergeant Major Lieutenant Corporal Commander Colonel Captain Weaver lost for being a little slow to realize that RAD the Pied Piper had lied to them, he gained back by helping to deliver a breech baby. Impressive! Kudos, Weaver. I figured it would be Maggie who helped out, since she and Pregnant Chick are totally all BFF now. (Random: “Charlotte”? Boooooooring! There’s a dang alien invasion taking place! I woulda named my daughter “Revolution” or “Fighter” or “Dta,” pronounced “deeta,” short for “death to aliens.”)

And now to go completely ballistic, cuz some stuff in this episode made me yell at the tv.
1. Hal.
Are you kidding me??? You’re on the run from a group of people who want to GIVE YOU TO THE ALIENS, and you a. choose a house with massive windows to hide in, b. let people sit in front of /play board games in front of said massive windows, and 3. let Lourdes play the piano in an otherwise completely silent neighborhood?? COME ON! I know Hal’s only a high school senior, but my elementary school niece has better survival skills than that! And Lourdes is in medical school. Old enough to know better. Idiots!
2. Hal’s sex appeal.
The kid is cute. No argument there. But just how the hell many love interests is he going to rack up? First his blonde girlfriend (does he even remember her name?), then Lourdes and her crush (If he’s only 17, somebody needs to explain “statutory rape” to her.), then Monotone Maggie, then Tessa at the ranch. It’s getting old. Newsflash, writers: we wanna see Anne and Tom get a little closer. ANNE AND TOM. Not Hal and his weekly female. Thank you.
3. Rick.
HELLOOOOOOO???? Can nobody see that Mike’s son (Rest in peace, Mike. *sad*) is not quite right? For the love of sanity, the kid is practically screaming “I’m no longer human, you fools!” I get that once-harnessed children may be a bit weird (Ben is super strong and seems “like an adult”), but Rick is waaaay beyond that. And he keeps repeatedly blatantly telling people that he’s Team Skitter! I get why Mike (Rest in peace, Mike. *still sad*) may have overlooked Rick’s weirdness, but everybody else needs to WAKE UP!

Falling Skies, 7/17/11

Ok, yes, Eli’s parents were douches for trying to steal the medicine, but I kinda understand where they were coming from with wanting to leave. I agree that it was extremely dumb to keep a skitter alive at home base. Having said that, however, I would NOT go on the run by myself in a lawless, alien-inhabited world, esp with a wife and small child! I would stay with the people who have food, guns, and ammo. Duh!

I called it I called it I totally called it! The second that Mr. Random Army Dude (RAD) asked to be sent ahead with the children, I knew he was not to be trusted. Skitters are harnessing kids to use as slave labor and also – I’m still grossed out by this – sleeping with them, so children are clearly a hot alien commodity. Knowing this, I would never ever ever let my kid outta my sight. And anybody who showed up requesting all kids be sent off with him would immediately be elbowed and then kicked in the face and locked up under suspicion of working with the enemy. This group is waaaaaay too trusting. And I know! You’re mad at Pope, right? Cuz he told RAD where more children could be found. Me too — but as with Eli’s parents, I kinda understand where he’s coming from. Locked up and at the mercy of a lunatic, I too would’ve said whatever I could to make myself useful so said lunatic would not kill me. And I predict that Pope becomes instrumental in helping get the kids away from RAD.

Anne continues her foray into Tuff Girl Town. Last week it was knocking skitters unconscious; this week it’s getting handy with a gun. You go girl! (Although, may I just say that the second an alien invasion starts, learning to shoot a gun is the FIRST thing I’m gonna do.) And Anne and Tom held hands! Yay! Could they actually smooch next week? One hopes. Most touching subplot of the night: little Jimmy and General Sergeant Major Lieutenant Corporal Commander Colonel Captain Weaver. Awwwwww. GSMLCCCC Weaver’s not such a hard-ass. Well—wait. Blowing that skitter to kingdom come was some severe hard-assery. I meant, Weaver’s not *just* a hard-ass. When he and Jimmy hugged, I almost got teary...

Falling Skies, 7/10/11

Wow. That Maggie is pretty useful, ain’t she? Killed the rapist racist rednecks, is a great soldier, knows where vast stores of medical drugs are to be found, knows the layout of the hospital, joined the group just in time to be Hal’s replacement love interest. Now, if they can only get her to talk in something other than a monotone.

Whoa! They killed Dr. Douchebag just like that? From the sec we found out he let Tom’s wife die, I knew he was a gonner, but still. That was unexpected.

Oh no. Is General Sergeant Major Lieutenant Corporal Commander Colonel Captain Weaver is a secret pill-popper? Cuz once the supply runs out, bad things could happen. Trust. YAY ANNE: not only is she now the head doctor in charge, but she totally went all girl power and knocked that alien* unconscious. Color me impressed! Ok … just … ewwwwwwwwww. I don’t know why, but I was hella grossed out when the skitter curled itself protectively over the harnessed kids and stroked their heads protectively as they slept. And so relieved when it was killed. Killed Anne style. YAY ANNE.

I know the baby shower scene was supposed to remind us that even in the most dire of circumstances people strive for normalcy blah blah blah, but it just made me sad that that chick has to have a baby during an alien invasion. :( But I was cheered right back up when Ben awoke. “Dad?” YAY BEN. :)

*Really? Nobody (except the pregnant chick) saw a problem with keeping a skitter alive and imprisoned at home base? And even after it killed Dr. Douchebag, GSMLCCCC Weaver still gave it a few hours!..