Falling Skies

:

Season 1
  • Network: TNT
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 19, 2011
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 357 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 206 out of 357
  2. Mixed: 69 out of 357
  3. Negative: 82 out of 357
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  1. Zbeeken
    Aug 5, 2011
    6
    The beginning episodes were dreadfully boring. I was expecting a lot more from this production. It isn't as high quality as I was looking for. The action and intensity was extremely low. I would sit and wonder, "When is something going to happen?" I will say that as the series has progressed and the relationships have evolved it has become more intriguing. Some plot elements leaveThe beginning episodes were dreadfully boring. I was expecting a lot more from this production. It isn't as high quality as I was looking for. The action and intensity was extremely low. I would sit and wonder, "When is something going to happen?" I will say that as the series has progressed and the relationships have evolved it has become more intriguing. Some plot elements leave questions in your head so you want to continue watching. I was about to give up on it until the final 3 episodes. It has really gotten better and I am ready to see the season finale.… Expand
  2. drlowdon
    Apr 29, 2013
    6
    There has certainly been no shortage of alien invasion stories in film or on TV but Falling Skies seeks to differentiate itself by starting at the point in which the humans have already lost. Minutes into the opening episode we learn that the majority of the human race that survived the attack have banded together under military protection (well, what is left of it at least) and are forcedThere has certainly been no shortage of alien invasion stories in film or on TV but Falling Skies seeks to differentiate itself by starting at the point in which the humans have already lost. Minutes into the opening episode we learn that the majority of the human race that survived the attack have banded together under military protection (well, what is left of it at least) and are forced to remain on the move if they are to avoid detection from the alien creatures and mechs roaming the Earth.

    This is certainly not a show without (a number of) faults. The script for example is slightly lacking compared to the best drama and sci-fi shows of the last decade such as Battlestar Galactica and problems are all too often resolved rather to easily, with little to no consequences, in order that the plot can progress. Budgetary restraints also mean that the show regularly builds anticipation towards an upcoming event only for said event to take place off-screen, an attempted attack on an alien stronghold towards the end of the season being a perfect example of this.

    Despite these faults Falling Skies is certainly an enjoyable show in many ways. The large ensemble cast contains enough interesting (if slightly stereotypical) and likable characters in order that viewers start to care about want happens to them and the majority of the performances are more than adequate for a sci-fi show. The twists and turns in the narrative are also unpredictable enough to keep most people guessing at what will happen next with some genuinely interesting revelations dotted throughout this first season.
    In the end I found it best to just ignore the plot holes and convenient coincidences and take the show for what it is. I for one am willing to give it a second chance next season.    … Expand
  3. drm
    Jun 20, 2011
    5
    I have to give 'Falling Skies' a big, bland 5. No, it wasn't the worst thing I've seen on television, but it was far from memorable. Cheating us all of the opening alien apocalypse, by using children's drawings, was an enormous directorial misstep. Sometimes it's a great idea to start a story in medias res, but when your entire story is built on people reacting to the harshness of anI have to give 'Falling Skies' a big, bland 5. No, it wasn't the worst thing I've seen on television, but it was far from memorable. Cheating us all of the opening alien apocalypse, by using children's drawings, was an enormous directorial misstep. Sometimes it's a great idea to start a story in medias res, but when your entire story is built on people reacting to the harshness of an alien invasion, you just really gotta show some of it. Right? Shouldn't be a problem for Dreamworks to work up some amazing CGI footage like that. Right? It came off as strained budget, as did the sparing presence of the aliens themselves. I know it's hard to set up a big story like this, and I think it's too soon to write it off, but seriously Dreamworks, that next episode better just rock my world, or I'm jumping ship and calling it even.… Expand
  4. Tkwz
    Jul 4, 2011
    5
    This show is a perfect example of how scifi should not be made. It tries to mix generic unintelligent drama with scifi which is by design something designed for intelligent receivers. You can not mix this, scifi fans do not need cheap drama and underdeveloped characters, while drama lovers do not need scifi. Until this way of making scifi series change, they will keep ending as cancelledThis show is a perfect example of how scifi should not be made. It tries to mix generic unintelligent drama with scifi which is by design something designed for intelligent receivers. You can not mix this, scifi fans do not need cheap drama and underdeveloped characters, while drama lovers do not need scifi. Until this way of making scifi series change, they will keep ending as cancelled cliffhangers, which is the direction this show is also taking.… Expand
  5. jjnoahjames
    Jun 22, 2011
    6
    Spielberg's prowess attempts to save "Skies" from drowning.

    I have to admit. I want to rate this lower because Falling Skies makes me really angry. I can't believe the producers/directors or who ever it may be would make so many bad decisions. Yet I am still intrigued a little and will probably watch more. This nowhere near sucked me in as much as V did last year and the computer    Spielberg's prowess attempts to save "Skies" from drowning.

    I have to admit. I want to rate this lower because Falling Skies makes me really angry. I can't believe the producers/directors or who ever it may be would make so many bad decisions. Yet I am still intrigued a little and will probably watch more. This nowhere near sucked me in as much as V did last year and the computer animation is 10 times worst. I can just imagine how bad it looks in HD. God help us. I could tell you except an HD version isn't available yet...ha...I wonder why.

    On top of that just when I thought it couldn't get any worst a "stereotypical, Sci-Fi channelesk, 1990's , basic scruffy group of Bad Guys in there hideout" were introduced. I was introducing my mind to stop watching because I've seen this 1000 times and it's stupid every time. The worst part is I started feeling like the show was "setty" at this point meaning I felt like I went from one set....a warehouse....to another set.....a school....to another set....military base out side. Shows like Lost where they were obviously always on the same set never made me feel this way. The 1990's group of bad guys didn't help. Maybe I'm too harsh but I really don't think so. On top of that there are a lot of bad actors, and also too many actors. I mean a lot of shows like V and The Event last year had the same problem but this is much worst because there are so many people and I feel like they should stop ridiculously introducing people like the two cool black guys who were awesome but cheesily and swiftly introduced. Take notes from Lost you do a couple at a time, not the whole army base at once. This reminds me of the random characters on Lost. At the point they were introduce the show was so good that no body cared. First episode= we care.

    The only hope and it's a good one. Is the Spielberg style directed scenes which push unpretentious Father-Son, Mother Daughter type wholesome emotions on watchers. So you have all this bad stuff verses Spielberg, it's pretty messy if you ask me.    … Expand
  6. shoeone
    Jun 25, 2011
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I just finished watching the pilot, and here are a few thoughts on what I have seen so far. First, the story premise is interesting, but I would really like to see something more than an armed rabble taking on aliens who are obviously militarily superior in every way. As one of the characters noted, what we really need is a B-2 with nukes to go after that alien skyscraper hovering over Boston. Hey, even the Mujahedin had Stingers.

    I like the cast. One very pleasant surprise was the appearance of Colin Cunningham, one of my favorite villains from "Da Vinci's Inquest." I was so entertained by his version of an outlaw psycho that I was even willing to forgive the various plot manipulations that allowed him to remain among the living. In real life, poor Colin would have been hanging from the nearest lamp post by now, little lamented by his captors.

    Another pleasant surprise was the appearance of Moon Bloodgood, who has to be the hottest A-10 pilot ever ("Terminator Salvation") and is very watchable as a post-Apocalyptic doctor. Hopefully she will continue to have a major role in the series.

    One of my pet peeves is the appearance, yet again, of undisciplined and overly emotional teenagers (this seems to be an obligatory plot device in the "Earth vs. Aliens" genre). If it was up to me, every time they asked to run off and take on the aliens all by themselves, I would say "Go right ahead!", and pray that they all got killed off as quickly as possible. I understand that "Falling Skies" has to appeal to the teenage demographic, but couldn't the current crop of teen warriors at least be endowed with a little more common sense? After all, they did survive the virtual extermination of the human race. You might think that would have taught them something. Finally, one intriguing comment, made by Colin, I believe, is a question as to why the skitters have six legs but the mechs only have two. This raises the interesting possibility that maybe the skitters are not the master race, but that there might be some other group of aliens out there in charge of things. I certainly hope so. Negotiating with skitters can only be done through the barrel of a gun, or perhaps a big can of Raid. On balance, although the show definitely has room to improve, it's good enough to keep watching, and I very much hope it will be successful.    … Expand
  7. borg1man
    Jul 6, 2011
    5
    Forgot to score it. This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Was hoping for more, but will probably watch it anyway. (Spoilers follow) What's good: So far, Noah Wyle. What's not good: The aliens are lame and boring. The "skitters" or "skidders" look like "Yoda." The "mechs" stomp around like giant metal chickens with weaponry borrowed from "Predator," but take forever to aimForgot to score it. This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Was hoping for more, but will probably watch it anyway. (Spoilers follow) What's good: So far, Noah Wyle. What's not good: The aliens are lame and boring. The "skitters" or "skidders" look like "Yoda." The "mechs" stomp around like giant metal chickens with weaponry borrowed from "Predator," but take forever to aim and still can't seem to hit their targets (a lot like Star Wars). (If an organism has technology advanced enough to travel to Earth it should have more advanced weaponry don't you think?). The team goes on a dangerous mission to an armory to get weapons and they take along a kid who puts the whole team in jeopardy when he goes running in direct sight of a "mech" to save his puppy. Should have been shot. The kid not the puppy. And then the father sees his son who has been turned into an alien zombie automatons and again puts everyone in jeopardy by yelling and screaming for him knowing that the bad guys will hear him and come a running. In general, most of the characters are stupid. And, yes, as someone else mentioned, the girl who is always preaching about god is very annoying. And the "skidders" sleeping like vampire bats under the overpass was really stupid too. The came all the way from another solar system. Don't you think they would find a nice hotel room to hang around in instead?… Expand
  8. Timmoc81
    Jul 31, 2011
    4
    The reason this show is so disappointing is because it's a hybrid of Battlestar Galactica and The Walking Dead, but not nearly as good as either. The pace is way to slow. The characters make idiotic decisions to keep the story going. The show has wasted way too many episodes on the story arc of getting their kids back, being stupid enough to lose them, and then have to rescue themThe reason this show is so disappointing is because it's a hybrid of Battlestar Galactica and The Walking Dead, but not nearly as good as either. The pace is way to slow. The characters make idiotic decisions to keep the story going. The show has wasted way too many episodes on the story arc of getting their kids back, being stupid enough to lose them, and then have to rescue them again. At least it has taken the place of V, another horrible attempt of a Sci-Fi show.… Expand
  9. DukeJon
    Aug 11, 2011
    5
    I admit I've only seen a few episodes but already I can see this series should have been much better than it is. Straightaway I see what the problems are. The pilot starts off with the humans making a frantic effort to secure supplies. It's dark. There are mechs shooting them, aliens kidnapping them, but somehow some of the humans get back to their base. However the hero doesn't seemI admit I've only seen a few episodes but already I can see this series should have been much better than it is. Straightaway I see what the problems are. The pilot starts off with the humans making a frantic effort to secure supplies. It's dark. There are mechs shooting them, aliens kidnapping them, but somehow some of the humans get back to their base. However the hero doesn't seem phased by what should have been a traumatising experience. He brings back some food and someone makes a joke about the price of tuna. The base they are in seems very relaxed when in reality they should all be anxious, stressed and depressed. For a more realistic and believable view of how people would behave in situations like this look at the original terminator film or the more recent walking dead.… Expand
  10. codfather96
    Aug 16, 2011
    5
    Every time there was a shoot out I just wanted to see blood and guts and have it so much grittier, its trying to be a family friendly Walking Dead and that can not happen, the characters never feel in danger, the kids annoy me, they start it off really bad and there is never any true back story to some characters. Also it feels like more time has been spent on the aliens than the humansEvery time there was a shoot out I just wanted to see blood and guts and have it so much grittier, its trying to be a family friendly Walking Dead and that can not happen, the characters never feel in danger, the kids annoy me, they start it off really bad and there is never any true back story to some characters. Also it feels like more time has been spent on the aliens than the humans although most shows like this do just think of the aliens as a crap generic enemy.But yet I still watch to see if there is a new trailer for the new Walking Dead series, because when this ends that is bound to start.… Expand
  11. fingolfin2
    Jun 20, 2011
    5
    Those people who decide which show to make just donâ
  12. Aquamantor
    Jun 20, 2011
    6
    It's unfortunate for Falling Skies that The Walking Dead came out so recently. If not, we wouldn't have a worldwide calamity TV show to compare it to. And, unfortunately, The Walking Dead outdoes it in every feasible way, from characterization to action to (especially) dramatic depth, However, if there is room in your favor for a second TV apocalypse with people fighting against somethingIt's unfortunate for Falling Skies that The Walking Dead came out so recently. If not, we wouldn't have a worldwide calamity TV show to compare it to. And, unfortunately, The Walking Dead outdoes it in every feasible way, from characterization to action to (especially) dramatic depth, However, if there is room in your favor for a second TV apocalypse with people fighting against something supernatural for survival, Falling Skies is serviceable enough.

    It's best not to get caught up in the hype. Falling Skies follows the Avatar line of ambition: "Our special effects are awesome which makes us more awesome than anyone else". As far as said special effects go...well, they're better than Battle L.A. We have to take into consideration that this is a tv show. Every laser and CG alien or robot is a much bigger moneysink than television usually incurs. Overall, they're better than the average crappy Syfy movie, but they're not as good as in an actual Hollywood Blockbuster.

    The thing that makes Falling Skies really middling-to-good is the plot, which has this exact level of quality itself. The characters are decent. I got to like Tom enough. Other than that, though, the only character who stood out for me was the surprisingly well-acted Pope, who in the second half of the premiere stands out as an antagonist, yet there are hints of his becoming a contributing member of the group later on.

    It seems like the main dramatic problems facing these survivors are "can we kill the aliens" and "look at how these children were robbed of their innocence". The first is delivered well enough, but can't make the show interesting on its own. The second, honestly, is delivered in such an obvious "this is sad" way that it seems exploitive. And I'm talking crayon pictures with child voice-overs exploitive. In fact, that's the first scene. I was never particularly moved by Falling Skies, and I only ever remained neutral to its attempts at moving me.

    The action is fun enough, the situations are clever enough, and the dialogue does alternate pretty frequently between clever and clumsy. Falling Skies always remains entertaining, but I'm not particularly infatuated with it. Let's hope that it gets better as time goes on.    … Expand
  13. stc9357
    Jun 20, 2011
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The premiere of the tv show "Falling Skies" drops us right in the middle of the story, set six months after the intial alien devastation has taken place with the remaining people left to fight and pick up the pieces. We are introduced to an army of resistance fighter's called the 2nd Mass since they are located in Boston, who are lead by Weaver (Will Patten) and Tom Mason (Noah Wyle). The story centers around Tom who's profession before the invasion was a military history professor, he's lost his wife and is left with three sons, the middle child Ben (Connor Jessup) who has been taken by what the army has deemed "skitters" (six legged aliens), an older son Hal (Drew Roy) who is fighting with him in the resistance, and his youngest son Matt (Maxim Knight) who hasn't quite adjusted to life in a post-apocalyptic atmosphere . There are two different types of aliens introduced in the premiere of the show the "skitters" and a roboticized two legged alien called a "mech" the latter of the two being the most difficult to kill.

    The first episode revolves around the 2nd Mass searching for food and weapons, with future episodes focusing on the army trying to find a way to get the children back. The children that are taken by the aliens have a bug creature, a parasite the size of a small dog attached to their spinal cord that if removed by force seems to kill the host. What exactly the aliens plan on doing with the children isn't explained in the premiere and how to remove the creature without killing the person seems to be a mystery at the present moment that will be explained in later episodes.

    After locating an armory filled with weapons Tom is sent by Weaver to recon on the area and see if it's a trap set by the aliens, it turns out to be a trap set by a group of rebels who intend on using the recon party as a negotiating tool to get a .50 caliber weapon from the 2nd Mass. This introduces us to the first bad guy in the series who goes by the name John Pope (Colin Cunningham) leader of a band of rebels, a criminal before the invasion who hasn't changed his stripes. Through the whole ordeal only one life is lost at the hands of Pope, who kills a fighter from the recon party. Pope's plan however back fires when one of his own betrays him and he's taken prisoner. From what can be seen from previews for future episodes we are supposed to suspend all logic and believe he's forgiven and given a position in the resistance army. That I believe will be a major plot hole unless covered correctly from the writer's.

    Overall I'm going to give this show a grade of B-, a rating that can be improved or lowered with future episodes. The premiere lacked flow and cohesion which wasn't helped by the endless amount of commercials I had to sit through. I thought some good sub plots were developed between certain characters but would have liked to see more action. The potential for this show to be a hit is there, you have the executive producer in Steven Spielberg attached to this project along with the creator and main writer of the show Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan). I'm going to give the show a few more viewings and reevaluate my opinion then, and I suggest others who watched or plan to watch the show to do the same. Check out my newly launched blog at: www.logansmovieblog.blogspot.com    … Expand
  14. Jools86
    Jul 26, 2011
    4
    This is a very run of mill post apocalyptic program. This is not a patch on Jericho or the waking dead. The characters are dull. The stories are generic to the max, and I don't care about any of the characters. I made it through 3.5 episodes before giving up.
  15. Mudget
    Jul 28, 2014
    6
    This show has a few things going for it, and a lot against it. For starters, it came out around the same time as The Walking Dead, which took a similar premise (survivors on the run from invading monsters) and did it all so, so much better. It's a program that tries to do it all - special effects, action/fight scenes, character-building, emotional depth, and comes up short in eachThis show has a few things going for it, and a lot against it. For starters, it came out around the same time as The Walking Dead, which took a similar premise (survivors on the run from invading monsters) and did it all so, so much better. It's a program that tries to do it all - special effects, action/fight scenes, character-building, emotional depth, and comes up short in each category. While The Walking Dead redefined what shows on channels like AMC could be - Falling Skies certainly 'feels' like a TNT program and I think that has a lot to do with writing. The plots are super thin, it's all surface-depth stuff, there's just not a lot for actors to really do here. And that's a shame because there are some good actors here. Noah Wyle's Tom Mason is believable and a strong character only because Wyle is such a seasoned, strong actor. Other good talent (Will Patton, Dale Dye, Colin Cunningham) struggle with the source material, and the relative newcomer actors (Connor Jessup, Drew Roy, Seychelle Gabriel, Moon Bloodgood) just aren't talented enough to rise above the writing. With other characters, it's like the writers were just trying things out - Dylan Author's 'Jimmy' for instance - felt from the beginning like he didn't fit anywhere, and the writers apparently saw that too so he was conveniently written out. Support cast like Mpho Koaho and Peter Shinkoda are so one-dimensional as to practically disappear even while on screen. Special effects scenes go for broke, with huge backdrops of cities after Armageddon that are generally cool, but look like painted backdrops, aliens that aren't miserably silly looking, but in the bigger action scenes still clearly look like CGI. Critics seemed to find the show 'competently directed', and if you're looking for standard fair with no great cinematography or particularly creative or interesting scenes I guess that's fair. You won't find a foreboding sense of lingering dread here, as you will in The Walking Dead. That's all direction, because the source material of both programs should be equally spooky and dreadful - but one works and the other not so much. In this respect, it's sort of a shame Spielberg's name is on this. There's no real trademark of his excellence or brand here at all. With all that said, I will simply say that Falling Skies might keep your interest for an hour each week. It's not boring, I suppose, and I keep thinking it might blossom into something better. But over the four seasons, I can say that the first few are the best, and frankly that's not saying much, and doesn't illuminate a bright future for the series. For horror you can do better with The Walking Dead. For sci fi, you can do (infinitely) better with the modern Battlestar Galactica. For drama, you can do better in 100 places.… Expand
  16. jado818
    Nov 5, 2012
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Falling Skies season 1 has serious pacing issues. The characters in the show never evolve beyond their storyboard framework. The show's character development feels forced and unfulfilling. The shame is that there is so little scifi on television these days that fans of the genre are reduced to enduring a show like this. Minor spoilers here,****, but elements of the humans fight against the aliens makes me have to switch off my brain because it's so unbelievable. It's in the same vein as the movie Signs. Aliens capable of traveling millions of light years through space and landing on another planet understand so little about basic science concepts like radio frequencies. All that being said, the show has room to improve and it was picked up for a second season. With any luck, the characters will be more fleshed out and the acting feel less rigid. I don't blame the actors either because it's obviously the material they are working with.… Expand
  17. Rox22
    Dec 12, 2012
    5
    While I did try to like this show, I just found it boring. Very little original in it as it borrows from countless sci-fi, horror and/or survival movies/shows that have come before it. Colin Cunningham's character is perhaps this shows only saving grace, being perhaps the only character with some depth and development. Overall: A really faceless show that just does not deliver based onWhile I did try to like this show, I just found it boring. Very little original in it as it borrows from countless sci-fi, horror and/or survival movies/shows that have come before it. Colin Cunningham's character is perhaps this shows only saving grace, being perhaps the only character with some depth and development. Overall: A really faceless show that just does not deliver based on what it is. A miss.… Expand
  18. PrometheanSigma
    Jun 19, 2013
    6
    Falling Skies is a somewhat entertaining TV show, however every I time I watch it I'm really just thinking "When's The Walking Dead going to be back again?" The plot is understandable, but lacks the addictiveness that TWD provides.

    The cast has decent actors that know what they're doing, but aren't extremely experienced. This is a good show, but there are better.
  19. senevada
    Sep 14, 2013
    5
    just boring and bland. its not terible but boy howdy it is not particularly good either. hard to put a finger on the faults but its pretty slow moving, reasonably predictable, does not really explore the created world to any sort of satisfactory level and when it does it devolves into safe cliches and bad dialogue. the long haired biker guy (havent watched an eposiode for awhile, i amjust boring and bland. its not terible but boy howdy it is not particularly good either. hard to put a finger on the faults but its pretty slow moving, reasonably predictable, does not really explore the created world to any sort of satisfactory level and when it does it devolves into safe cliches and bad dialogue. the long haired biker guy (havent watched an eposiode for awhile, i am forgetting his name) is a total pantomime villain, and I dont understand why he is treated the way he is, its like the creators are trying to impose a cliche societal standard where evceryone is respectful and goody two shoes; maybe this is the problem, the characters themselves are wooden, one dimensional and not well rounded. I lost interest at some point in the second season, ill probably go back and watch them all in order at some stage, its a little bit more interesting that way.… Expand
  20. winker
    Jul 16, 2014
    4
    fine for kids (probably what the producers intended) but in general, too predictable and requires suspending belief on too many simple aspects (for example, that an advanced alien species would be able to build sophisticated robots but not design an accurate targeting system for them).

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best TV Season of 2011
6
#6 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011
17
#17 Most Shared TV Season of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. RedEye
    Reviewed by: Curt Wagner
    Aug 1, 2011
    75
    Falling Skies, although competently directed, acted and sometimes written, goes off on more than a few tangents and paint-by-numbers subplots of the genre. It's best when it sticks to the main thread, and that's the battle for survival and to learn what the six-legged freaks are doing with the children.
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  2. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    Jun 20, 2011
    80
    Falling Skies generates its own excitement, very much worth the ride, like Lost and Jericho, to watch characters develop as they struggle under confusing and life-threatening circumstances.
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  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jun 20, 2011
    70
    The characters lack the depth of those in smarter, premium cable dramas like "The Walking Dead," but they do show some growth as the series goes on. What Falling Skies does best is create a sense of the struggle for survival.
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