The Writers on "Falling Skies" Have Been Drinking Some "Strange Brew:" A Television Review

Director: David Solomon.

Writers: Robert Rodat and John Wirth.

Cast: Doug Jones, Brad Kelly, Maxim Knight and Alissa Skovbye.

Tonight's episode (July 21st) of "Falling Skies," titled "Strange Brew," was brought to you by the Wachowski brothers (The Matrix). Much of "Strange Brew" involves a mind manipulating machine, which was trying to delve into Tom Mason's (Noah Wyle) subconscious. The first act felt like something out of The Matrix, or Christopher Nolan's Inception, but it also felt predictable and poorly set-up. Meanwhile, the main story arc for Season 3 of "Falling Skies" is forgotten, while Lourdes (Seychelle Gabriel) continues her evilness back at the Charleston camp. "Strange Brew" seemed to be caught in some sort of plot progression void, which made this episode seem like a time filler.

The story began with the main protagonist, Tom Mason. He wakes up as if seasons one and two of the show have been part of a dream. Viewers will instantly know otherwise. Tom goes about his life as if an alien invasion never happened. He kisses his wife, he sends his sons off to school and Weaver (Will Patton) appears out of nowhere to warn Tom that "the end is near." Thankfully, Tom realizes something is up and Karen's (Jessy Schram) use of subterfuge is upended. Tom easily escapes and it is business as usual. Meanwhile back at Charleston, Lourdes is still running about causing all sorts of chaos. The real Weaver is almost killed and the town's radio is sabotaged. Everyone thinks it is the President causing all of the havoc, but viewers know the truth. When will Lourdes' be discovered?

Weaver is the voice of reason in Tom's mind.

The saboteur in Charleston is no closer to being discovered as she was in previous episodes. Lourdes is even enthralled by the Espheni defense grid: "it looks like a spider's web." But, Maggie (Sarah Carter) does not read between the lines. Lourdes' attack on the radio goes off without a hitch and she almost kills two birds with one stone. Weaver is also injured. But, no one expects the precocious Lourdes to be so malevolent. Hopefully, this character is given some attention and suspicion to create more tension back at Charleston.

The altered reality in the first act of "Strange Brew" seemed like a silly diversion. Twenty minutes were spent with characters acting as teachers, deans and students at Tom's former university. The role mix-up was definitely different, but this set-up added little to the show's plot progression. While seeing Weaver as a crazed bum was hilarious, "Strange Brew" was just another diversion in Seas. 3.

Thus, Epis. 8 added very little, outside of a few laughs, to the season as a whole. What did viewers discover in "Strange Brew?" Anne (Moon Bloodgood) has been captured, along with Lexi. But, their fates were not revealed. They are either dead or unconscious. This viewer is guessing at the second possible outcome. As well, the Overlord's defence grid is near completion. Outside of these two very minor plot points, this episode offered very little, storywise.

Perhaps, television is also meant as a simple diversion. The writers, Robert Rodat and John Wirth, seem to think so. Though, this viewer is still hoping for some tension to build, leading up to the season finale, which is only two episodes away. Instead, this viewer is expecting to see a familiar pattern: one exciting episode ("The Pickett Line"), followed by a lackluster showing ("Strange Brew").

Overall: 6.5 (a few good jokes, predictable, everything ends very neatly).

The show's homepage is here:

"Falling Skies" at TNT


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