V, the new series (And talk about the old one too, if you want)

underthecity · Nov 4, 2009

We watched the first episode of V last night. Not a bad sci-fi/modern world type show, but it left me with a few questions that made me say, "Whu?"

My biggest criticism is that this aliens have arrived, spaceships en masse, all over the world. They look human, speak in modern American idiom, have presented themselves to the world as "friends" and that all they need is (water? is that what it was?) and they'll be on their way once they get what they need. And in exchange, they'll trade some of their technology to help out our old world.

And besides a few splinter groups, nobody in charge says, "Wait a minute, what?"

Has nobody in this world seen Independence Day? The Day the Earth Stood Still? Or at least Star Trek?

The aliens have set up "healing centers" in which they heal the sick, and plan to open more around the country, and presumably around the world. And nobody in charge says, "Hold on, let's not do that yet."

The aliens have organized "American ambassadors" luring people to join them to spread their good word, and kids dumb enough as one of the main characters are doing it! WTF?

I just can't believe anything like that could ever happen. At the very least, world governments would have been speaking to these aliens long before they set up any healing centers. How does anyone know those centers might do more harm than good?

Meanwhile, as we expected, those aliens already live and walk among us. The other big problem I have is that underneath the human skin, the aliens are reptilian. Fair enough, but when they "take" another person and replace him, does that include personality, memories, likes and dislikes? As far as I can remember from the earlier series, it's just the skin.

We meet two such aliens, the main lady's (Juliet from Lost) partner and a main, tall black guy. Presumably, these aliens have been around for a while. Did they have a tall alien to take the place of the tall black guy? And make sure he knows everything his original knew, or was he just winging it all this time? (Phone call from mother: "Why don't you ever call? You didn't even come to Christmas last year!"

Anyway, we'll see where this series takes us.

jennifer75 · Nov 4, 2009

I didn't catch it last night. I wanted to but my DVR was recording something at the moment....

I did watch the original one waaaaaaaaay back when....I feared Diana.....but dug their green blood. It was green, wasn't it?

maestrowork · Nov 4, 2009

I watched the pilot at Comic Con and the reception was kind of lukewarm. I think the whole thing just has a cheesy feel to it -- harking back to the original during the 80s when life was a little "simpler." They updated it but probably not really "re-imagine" like they did with Battlestar Galactica. It was entertaining enough but I wasn't really that impressed. I think they're only doing this as a miniseries so that may not be a bad thing...

Celia Cyanide · Nov 4, 2009

I don't really get it. I never understood the popularity of the original series, and I don't know why they would want to do it again. The kids at my school used to play V at recess. I never understood.

Jcomp · Nov 4, 2009

Some part of me was fairly interested to see it, but apparently not interested enough to remember it premiered last night. The idea of alien conquest covertly moving in slow motion over a longer stretch of time--as opposed to a brunt assault and invasion--intrigues me. But I don't think T.V. shows and audiences now (or then, probably) have the patience to ease into the story. From what I've read above, apparently the true nature of the aliens is revealed in the pilot? To me it would work better if suspicions are raised but you don't really know until later in the series. Maybe that's just me...

jennifer75 · Nov 4, 2009

Celia Cyanide said:
I don't really get it. I never understood the popularity of the original series, and I don't know why they would want to do it again.

I ask the same about 90210 and Melrose Place. WHY.DO.IT.AGAIN?

BenPanced · Nov 4, 2009

I still have my homemade lizard mask somebody made based on the original.

maestrowork · Nov 4, 2009

Jcomp said:
Some part of me was fairly interested to see it, but apparently not interested enough to remember it premiered last night. The idea of alien conquest covertly moving in slow motion over a longer stretch of time--as opposed to a brunt assault and invasion--intrigues me. But I don't think T.V. shows and audiences now (or then, probably) have the patience to ease into the story. From what I've read above, apparently the true nature of the aliens is revealed in the pilot? To me it would work better if suspicions are raised but you don't really know until later in the series. Maybe that's just me...

I really like the political aspect of it -- the youth program reminds me of the Nazis, and certain things remind me of current affairs and recent political climates of the US: the whole dichotomy of fear vs. hope, change vs. status quo, etc. If they could explore the political/social aspects of the story, it would be great. Otherwise, it would just be yet another alien invasion rehash.

Cyia · Nov 4, 2009

underthecity said:
The aliens have set up "healing centers" in which they heal the sick, and plan to open more around the country, and presumably around the world. And nobody in charge says, "Hold on, let's not do that yet."

The aliens have organized "American ambassadors" luring people to join them to spread their good word, and kids dumb enough as one of the main characters are doing it! WTF?

I just can't believe anything like that could ever happen. At the very least, world governments would have been speaking to these aliens long before they set up any healing centers. How does anyone know those centers might do more harm than good?

You do realize that V is a sci-fi version of the Nazi's, right? A big, shiny, charismatic bunch of people who burst onto the scene, claim all sorts of philanthropic endeavors, brainwash otherwise intelligent people, snag the impressionable youth for the cause, etc.

For politics, it's "Hey, this is popular! Let's go with it so we get elected again!"

(And Mom informed me that apparently, I used to *love* this show way back when I was too young to remember watching said show.)

Celia Cyanide · Nov 4, 2009

Cyia said:
You do realize that V is a sci-fi version of the Nazi's, right? A big, shiny, charismatic bunch of people who burst onto the scene, claim all sorts of philanthropic endeavors, brainwash otherwise intelligent people, snag the impressionable youth for the cause, etc.

For politics, it's "Hey, this is popular! Let's go with it so we get elected again!"

(And Mom informed me that apparently, I used to *love* this show way back when I was too young to remember watching said show.)

I think that's what makes the show so silly. It's supposed to be an extended metaphor for something that really did happen, and yet it manages to make it completely implausible. And what is the point of making aliens represent Nazis? Is that supposed to be satire? What sort of a statement is it making?

Claudia Gray · Nov 4, 2009

I was underwhelmed. The original "V," while not exactly high art, at least knew how to build the suspense and dread, create a realistic range of reactions to the Visitors' arrival, etc. This looks sleeker and takes itself more seriously, but they glossed over so much (like having everyone just love the Visitors immediately, not explaining why the Visitors have human names, etc.)

I think I decided this series is probably deficient in creative imagination when their big reveal that the aliens are actually reptilian came -- not in a huge shock like the original, OMG DIANA ATE THE GUINEA PIG OMG, but -- from a guy just telling them while they're standing in a garage. Hello, show don't tell? Three times as important onscreen as on the page.

I loved the original tremendously, and there were a few changes I liked (a better, bigger part for the leader of the alien Fifth Column, for instance), so I will probably watch the next couple episodes in the hopes it will improve. Those hopes are fairly dim, though.

Jcomp · Nov 4, 2009

Celia Cyanide said:
I think that's what makes the show so silly. It's supposed to be an extended metaphor for something that really did happen, and yet it manages to make it completely implausible. And what is the point of making aliens represent Nazis? Is that supposed to be satire? What sort of a statement is it making?

According to my exhaustive research*the series was originally conceived minus the aliens and just as a straight allegory of a Nazi-like regime growing and taking control in the U.S. TV execs stepped in and said, "Hey, sci-fi stuff is in and popular now, so can we make the Nazi-types into aliens?" And presto... there you have it....

*a wikipedia click--veracity of the above not guaranteed....

maestrowork · Nov 4, 2009

I think Heinlein did sci-fi fascism much better already with Starship Troopers.

Celia Cyanide · Nov 4, 2009

Jcomp said:
According to my exhaustive research*the series was originally conceived minus the aliens and just as a straight allegory of a Nazi-like regime growing and taking control in the U.S. TV execs stepped in and said, "Hey, sci-fi stuff is in and popular now, so can we make the Nazi-types into aliens?" And presto... there you have it....

*a wikipedia click--veracity of the above not guaranteed....

Lame.

Jersey Chick · Nov 4, 2009

How's this for lame? The original V gave me nightmares.

It probably still would (I'm such a candy-ass, ain't I?) so I'm not watching it...

Smish · Nov 4, 2009

Jcomp said:
From what I've read above, apparently the true nature of the aliens is revealed in the pilot? To me it would work better if suspicions are raised but you don't really know until later in the series. Maybe that's just me...

Agreed. I watched it, and was disappointed. I would have liked it much better if so much wasn't given away so soon. Also, they skipped several weeks in time and suddenly had healing centers and V-mania everywhere. I think they could have taken their time a bit...

However, I say this as someone who doesn't remember the original V at all.

ChristineR · Nov 4, 2009

When I first heard about this, I read up on the original V to refresh my very-hazy memories, and was surprised to find that it was a metaphor for Nazism. I had always thought it was a metaphor for Reaganomics. All the visitors had big hair and engaged in conspicuous consumption.

jennontheisland · Nov 4, 2009

underthecity said:
I just can't believe anything like that could ever happen. At the very least, world governments would have been speaking to these aliens long before they set up any healing centers. How does anyone know those centers might do more harm than good?

Somehow, I suspect that slow moving ambassadorial negotiations wouldn't drive the plot quite as hard as a few splinter groups with conspiracy theories.

I vaguely remember the first one, but I remember that I liked it. This one was meh, but it was a nice distraction between calculus problems. And it's sci-fi on non-cable tv, so I'll probably keep watching it.

jennifer75 · Nov 4, 2009

Jersey Chick said:
How's this for lame? The original V gave me nightmares.

It probably still would (I'm such a candy-ass, ain't I?) so I'm not watching it...

It was creepy, but nightmares???

Jersey Chick · Nov 4, 2009

I was 12ish and very imaginative.

I know, it's sad, isn't it? I love the movie Shaun of the Dead - but it also gives me nightmares.

childeroland · Nov 4, 2009

Wasn't the idea behind the original V was supposed to be neo-fascists taking over the world, but the network make Kenneth Johnson change it to aliens to capitalize on Star Wars's popularity?

Celia Cyanide · Nov 4, 2009

childeroland said:
Wasn't the idea behind the original V was supposed to be neo-fascists taking over the world, but the network make Kenneth Johnson change it to aliens to capitalize on Star Wars's popularity?

Yeah, that's what wiki says.

I just hate V. I see pictures from the original, and it makes me mad. I don't know why.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 4, 2009

The original had charm, in an odd way. As someone above said, the reveal came when Mark Singer snuck on board a mothership and saw them eating rodents.

One of the scenes that left an impression on me was when there was an industrial accident with liquid nitrogen and one of the workers comes out with a frozen hand that he smashes to bits, leaving a bloody stump.

The problem with this version, there is no Mark Singer.

Cyia said:
You do realize that V is a sci-fi version of the Nazi's, right?

Hmm, I saw it as allegory for the whole Obamanite thing.

Celia Cyanide · Nov 4, 2009

Shadow_Ferret said:
The original had charm, in an odd way. As someone above said, the reveal came when Mark Singer snuck on board a mothership and saw them eating rodents.

Why was that such a big deal? They already knew they were aliens, didn't they?

Cyia · Nov 4, 2009

Celia Cyanide said:
Why was that such a big deal? They already knew they were aliens, didn't they?

They thought they were humanoid aliens. The main woman alien's jaw unhinged and she swallowed a whole, live guinea pig. Not quite so sweet and benevolent after that.

V, the new series (And talk about the old one too, if you want)

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