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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User Reviews

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  1. NIntendoFan94
    Aug 10, 2012
    8
    This was a TV Science Fiction show. The characters are good, the cast of a show looked okay also sound effects doesn't sound familiar. Rating: 8/10
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Stabs_with_Pudz
    Jan 16, 2013
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The shows plot is predictable, cliched and slow.
    None of the actors could act to save their lives
    The CGI is rubbish.
    And all the characters are completely unoriginal.
    Basically, its a **** show that will rob you of your time and of your brain cells    … Expand
  5. Stenapan
    Mar 26, 2013
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Acting, directing and CG is ok or even good for a show thats more of a drama than a sci-fi.

    What gets my blood pressure is the incredible stupidity of the characters and script. If at any point, there are two options of which one is stupid or counter-productive they will invariable choose that one. They catch one alien alive, which apparently hasn't been done before. The supposedly smart doctor wants to kill it without questioning it first. Seems an incredibly dumb suggestion as it's already been stated that they know next to nothing about the aliens.
    One character suddenly forgets that they are in the immediate vicinity of some bad-ass aliens and starts shouting as to make certain that everybody gets killed. This happens twice by the way. One would think that people who have survived by guerilla warfare for 6 months would be smarter than that.
    The discover that the aliens reuse ammunition cartridges from guns made on earth but nobody thought of trying it in their own weapons.
    One kid's mind gets transformed by the aliens but it doesn't seem to occur to anyone that he might have useful information. Medical procedures that in one episode are described as complex and time consuming, can be done on ~10 people at once a few episodes later.
    The script is extremely predictable. The record for me was 5 minutes. That is, 5 minutes before I'd correctly guessed what was going to be the twist in the episode.

    I REALLY hope season 2 is as good as they say as that's the reason I stayed with season 1. Oh yeah, I also hope the script writers for season 1 got fired.    … Expand
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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.
  14. 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
  15. 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.
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. 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
  23. 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).
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
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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.
    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
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