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
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. Viktory_Gaming
    Jan 2, 2018
    8
    Not a whole lot can really say here. It's good I really enjoyed it. The pacing is good, the characters are decent even if some are a bit bland, the acting is alright and all of the questions you'll be asking yourself throughout the show you will get the answers to when the time is right.
  2. Kinokarte
    Nov 17, 2015
    0
    its a pity you cant give -10.borring booooring boooring pooop, other than that its pure dog poop. already said too much.this show was made so you can enjoy ads and more ads and even more ads. and dog poop. even for free, while not watching, while beeing in another land, is too much of a hassle. and look how these bots voted it up to 10.
  3. SiAScORCH
    Nov 5, 2014
    7
    Another one of those shows that starts off good and then after a season or two or three in this case it goes downhill. It's a good TV show but this last season was pretty boring, though it became more interesting towards the end of this season. I think as long as the last season which airs in 2015 turns out good, then the show will be a success, but it's going to depend on how they finishAnother one of those shows that starts off good and then after a season or two or three in this case it goes downhill. It's a good TV show but this last season was pretty boring, though it became more interesting towards the end of this season. I think as long as the last season which airs in 2015 turns out good, then the show will be a success, but it's going to depend on how they finish off the show. It's still a good show, but it has it's slow moments. Still with that being said, I'd recommend it to somebody who likes fantasy shows.… Expand
  4. ZeroNihilism
    Sep 23, 2014
    9
    Falling skies is a preview of post apocalyptic life under the thumb of Chairman-O but with much more entertaining, over the top, budget sucking CGI

    #ThePeoplesCUBE
  5. NotoriousFraud
    Sep 1, 2014
    8
    Falling Skies is a very good science fiction show. The alien action is aplenty and it never forgets to develop the characters.The show is produced by Stephen Spielberg and you can definitely tell he has a stamp on it. The aliens make the exact same noises as the raptors from Jurassic Park and the Father-Son bond in this show is as present as his earlier movies like Close Encounters andFalling Skies is a very good science fiction show. The alien action is aplenty and it never forgets to develop the characters.The show is produced by Stephen Spielberg and you can definitely tell he has a stamp on it. The aliens make the exact same noises as the raptors from Jurassic Park and the Father-Son bond in this show is as present as his earlier movies like Close Encounters and Hook. I would recommend this to anyone who like alien invasions or Stephen Spielberg's kind of film making.… Expand
  6. cylian3
    Aug 24, 2014
    7
    It's a pretty good show that has way too much drama for my tastes but still manage to satisfy with decent make-up and good realism for the genre, AKA, they're not trying to get away with shooting things like propane tanks and have them explode by themselves without a source of ignition, AKA, fire.
  7. BengalsfanAZ
    Aug 11, 2014
    8
    I love this show for exactly what it is: a prime time network sci-fi show that has to keep ratings. For you idiots who do not understand; this show can not be a Firefly or STG. It is based on popularity and ratings. Get over it. At heart there is a great story line that keeps changing and a great cast of characters.
  8. 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
  9. 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).
  10. xxvaderxx
    Jun 30, 2014
    0
    So much potential so much waste.

    This vs Battle Star Galactica, Galactica wins by land slide. The same setting (post apocalyptic refugees on the run) much better character development. This shows tries action scenes and fails miserably. Tries emotional depth and fails miserably. Tries character development and fails miserably, Sarah Carter`s character should be next to insane due to the    So much potential so much waste.

    This vs Battle Star Galactica, Galactica wins by land slide. The same setting (post apocalyptic refugees on the run) much better character development. This shows tries action scenes and fails miserably. Tries emotional depth and fails miserably. Tries character development and fails miserably, Sarah Carter`s character should be next to insane due to the trauma of being repeatedly raped and used as a toy by a gang, thou when they find her she is cracking snide remarks and jokes.

    This is a show that tries to present a harsh and bleak setting, but is unwilling to compromise the brutality that comes with it. Everything seems fake, the reactions, the fights, the motivations, the interactions, the gang of guerrilla fighters constantly on the move and the verge of starvation who also happen to walk around with iron pressed "rags" for clothes.

    Bottom line is a show that tells a PG-13 to R story, but wants to be G rated show. Everything comes out bland and artificial.    … Expand
  11. Harr70517
    Jun 30, 2014
    2
    I was looking forward to the new season of Falling Skies for months now. I really tried to get enjoy the first two episodes. So far it has been a disappointment to me. Nothing I have seen so far has been able to keep my interest. They are spending too much time in the prison area and it's always dark and dingy looking. I think in the first episode that was ok. Now it is dragging onI was looking forward to the new season of Falling Skies for months now. I really tried to get enjoy the first two episodes. So far it has been a disappointment to me. Nothing I have seen so far has been able to keep my interest. They are spending too much time in the prison area and it's always dark and dingy looking. I think in the first episode that was ok. Now it is dragging on into the 2nd episode. You would think they had a shortage on lighting while filming. Yawn.........
    I really really want it to get better!    … Expand
  12. Ravens1294
    Jun 24, 2014
    3
    This was probably the best season of the show and it ain't good. Characters are so one dimensional and so pathetic, I can't believe they're even alive in this war. Acting is sub par and it is so boring.
  13. gsmonks
    Jun 15, 2014
    0
    Okay cast, okay special effects, but a terrible script- nothing but a string of platitudes and cliches. Because the script is junk, there's little or no chemistry between the actors. Hand the writing over to me and I'll give you a show worth watching. I can't understand how such crap ends up in production. Spielberg seems to be great at raising money for projects, but beyond that the guyOkay cast, okay special effects, but a terrible script- nothing but a string of platitudes and cliches. Because the script is junk, there's little or no chemistry between the actors. Hand the writing over to me and I'll give you a show worth watching. I can't understand how such crap ends up in production. Spielberg seems to be great at raising money for projects, but beyond that the guy himself strikes me as being as dumb as a bag of hammers. The CGI aliens and machines are derivative to the point of absurdity, obviously stolen from here and there. The worst part about the show is that the plot doesn't work. If aliens had killed of 95% of Earth's population, there wouldn't be a building or structure left standing. You'd have a moonscape devoid of life, and food would be conspicuously absent from the picture. Note to scriptwriters- always work from an outline: that's how you avoid train-wrecks like this.… Expand
  14. BernanHandeiro
    Apr 20, 2014
    10
    yeah, I think this series are great
    - the story is interesting
    - the crew are good
    - the plot too
    so., in the end.. Falling Skies rules!!!
    i'm just waiting for the next season and it's taking too long
  15. kaanayanlar
    Apr 18, 2014
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I hope they will study carefully to scenario for the next season so we won't regret wait to watch season 4. I want Falling Skies to regain its excitement because it is a crazy project and they take a huge risk.… Expand
  16. Targe
    Mar 13, 2014
    0
    Incredibly stupid. Seriously, the characters are dumb, they act dumb, think dumb, which is frustrating. Aliens too, they are just stupid, do illogical things.
    But the worst part is the "hooray America the great free nation will save the world" syrup poured all over this pile of boring dogpoo.
    Avoid this series, unless you like looking at stupid people doing stupid things.
  17. Motcritic
    Feb 20, 2014
    3
    The Walking Dead of alien invasions, but not as bad.

    This show is just weak all around. Starting with, it makes no bloody sense, action scenes are ridiculous beyond comprehension, character decisions are baffling poor, scenario choice is cheap and poor, and the way things evolve is to say the least, utterly unbelievable, finally ending with the boring endless touching drama scenes that    The Walking Dead of alien invasions, but not as bad.

    This show is just weak all around. Starting with, it makes no bloody sense, action scenes are ridiculous beyond comprehension, character decisions are baffling poor, scenario choice is cheap and poor, and the way things evolve is to say the least, utterly unbelievable, finally ending with the boring endless touching drama scenes that just don't connect in any way... I could go on and on about it.

    What saves this show is that the characters have some value, the acting is ok, the characters actually evolve and sometimes they even learn, and there's an alien invasion in an apocalyptic world.    … Expand
  18. moviematthew
    Jan 16, 2014
    10
    This show is awesome! It is superbly paced, intensely active, suspenseful and eerie, and visually exciting. Falling Skies is a superior sci-fi TV show.
  19. AvantGuardian
    Oct 10, 2013
    7
    I used to call Falling Skies, the Walking Dead with aliens (see my review of the Walking Dead for why that's bad). However the show has dramatically improved in its second season. Now, I can comfortably say it's like the Walking Dead, done right. Featuring a cast of characters that are actually likable, and enemies whom are capable of fighting back. The show has many elements. Survival,I used to call Falling Skies, the Walking Dead with aliens (see my review of the Walking Dead for why that's bad). However the show has dramatically improved in its second season. Now, I can comfortably say it's like the Walking Dead, done right. Featuring a cast of characters that are actually likable, and enemies whom are capable of fighting back. The show has many elements. Survival, espionage, shootin-tootin, drama, and it's not without the occasional much needed love story. Overall, its a well-rounded show that is for sure worth watching if you are a fan of Science Fiction, Action, Aliens, or Survival stories.… Expand
  20. 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
  21. MrGman2142
    Sep 7, 2013
    10
    Excellent show, it beats the walking dead hands down. I love the setting of aliens attacking and the actors in this show are amazing. I think its a 10/10
  22. Zerind
    Sep 3, 2013
    0
    Slow action, incredibly dimwitted characters, predictable plot, boring scenery. This show is a huge disappointment. It could have, it should have been great! Post apocalyptic rebuilding, or sci-fi action, or tense thriller, but no. This series fails at all levels. Even the otherwise good actors seem to have lost most of their skills.
  23. mosconstein
    Sep 2, 2013
    0
    Aliens' weapons of conquer are boredom and dullness...
    It is really unbeliveable how characters of this show are dumb. Really. The only reason why invaders haven't won yet is because they are even more stupid than humans! The plot is boring and has gap holes as big as the solar system, the characters always (yes, ALWAYS) act with brainless strategies and the only reason why they are    Aliens' weapons of conquer are boredom and dullness...
    It is really unbeliveable how characters of this show are dumb. Really. The only reason why invaders haven't won yet is because they are even more stupid than humans! The plot is boring and has gap holes as big as the solar system, the characters always (yes, ALWAYS) act with brainless strategies and the only reason why they are still alive is because the so technological advanced aliens seem not to have a proper radar or heat sensor. (no really, how can a flying alien drone not notice a caravan just because it has a blanket on its engine? How can a bad-ass alien terminator not notice human presence 1 meter away?)    … Expand
  24. igordnt
    Aug 7, 2013
    7
    A good show, fun to watch. Could´ve been better, more complex maybe, although, a fine entertainment for weekend´s afternoon.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
  25. Pomegranate23
    Jul 22, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Started off as a great show, it remained great up until the 4th season. Now the characters are rather dull and the plot just annoys me in so many ways. The men that were fighting for their lifes are now rambos slaughtering aliens.… Expand
  26. Rex_richards
    Jul 9, 2013
    0
    This show is absolutely the most immature and pathetic sci fi show I have ever seen. It makes sponge bob squarepants look like an intellectual leviathan alien, it's just so feeble. It's like a sci-fi version of the 1960s batman series, but without any of the laughs.
  27. 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.
  28. Sarge
    Jun 17, 2013
    9
    I've been speed-watching this with my family. We started watching the show about three weeks ago, and finally caught up to real-time for the premiere of the third season. It's a great yet simple plot that allows for the series to focus on small events and ideas that are bits and pieces of the overall alien invasion story. Instead of a global focus the viewer's focus is on a singleI've been speed-watching this with my family. We started watching the show about three weeks ago, and finally caught up to real-time for the premiere of the third season. It's a great yet simple plot that allows for the series to focus on small events and ideas that are bits and pieces of the overall alien invasion story. Instead of a global focus the viewer's focus is on a single American militia that is more civilian than military. People are stepping up in the fight, but real world and family-level problems are very present.

    The movie suffers, in a sense from have such good writing and acting that one naturally compares it to its peers which due to its caliber is only met by movies or the greatest of TV shows. Here the special effects not always shine. This is easy to forgive and pretty easy to overlook most of the time.

    The characters and relationships are what really keeps things together in my opinion. There are so many of each, but it doesn't feel like too much. It feels like what one would expect in this fantastic scenario. It feels as real as you can get in a science fiction storyline such as this.    … Expand
  29. MonopolyBag
    Jun 14, 2013
    9
    This show is surprisingly good. It is better than I expected. The show does keep me interested, and the overall concept, although done before, is played out well. The acting is good, and the show leaves few things unturned and pays attention to detail.
  30. 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
prev
Page:

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

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »