Falling Skies Recap: “On Thin Ice”

by Merrill Barr:

Falling Skies Recap: “On Thin Ice”
Original Air Date (TNT): June 9, 2013
Season 3 Episode 1

When we last left the world of Falling Skies, The Second Mass seemed to be at a crossroads. While still tactically inferior, they had managed to strike a major blow against the Espheni by taking out some kind of weapon pointed at the sky. What we learn at the start of this season is a build on what we saw at the end of last one, that weapon was preventing the new aliens (now identified as the Volm) from entering Earth’s atmosphere.

Perhaps the weakest element of this episode is also its most necessary, that of the information dump. In the season premiere we learn the Volm (an alien race whose planet was also invaded by the Espheni) alien that landed on Earth seven months ago has a name, Cochise, and on top of that we learn that Cochise speaks English. He and his allies (of about 25) have brought with them various technology including EMP grenades that allow the rebels to take down mechs with ease (of course that victory is short lived with the reveal of the new Megamechs), handheld pulse rifles and a new medical device that allows for safe removal of the Skitter harnesses.

In Skitter land we find out the rebel group, now being led by an unknown replacement to Red Eye, has taken camp outside Charleston which has grown in size with an infrastructure that has expanded beyond the walls of the underground base (mostly thanks to new defenses being provided by the Volm). The expanded infrastructure includes a working city with shops and bars (one called The Nest and houses The Berzerkers’ hang-out when they aren’t in the field), but the biggest revelation in the episode is that the population of Charleston has elected Tom as president of the “New Unites States.”

We also learn that three months into the seven month gap Hal woke up from his coma (apparently unaware he had woken up at the end of season two) without the use of his legs, something we later learn happened because his mind attempted to fight the probe that was placed on him by Karen (who we also learn is the new Overlord to the Espheni). The probe allows her the ability to communicate with Hal through his dreams.

Got all that? Good, let’s talk plot. The premiere sets up a lot of new threads including who’s the mole within Charleston (if it’s Hal as one would believe, why was his identity kept secret from the audience when Machester was murdered before he could uncover the truth?)? What’s up with Tom and Anne’s new baby who seems to have developed the ability to stand and smile despite being only a few hours old? What’s with the secret gun the Volm are building that will apparently be the turning point in their war against the Espheni? What is Karen’s plan for Hal and why was there a leaf on his boot? Was it a frame-up by the real mole meant to plant a seed that will ultimately lead to a false accusation by the Charleston community? Like I said, a lot of threads were laid in this episode, none of them really expanded upon in the run time.

Production wise the episode featured what was by far the best action sequence the show has ever produced, and yes I’m talking about the opening sequence. It was very war movie (Saving Private Ryan to be specific) in its execution and very much lent to the war time feel the show started building last season in order to get away from the “Walking Dead with aliens” description. And on that war time note, I really like the very Lincoln approach the show is taking with Tom. In his first appearance of the season he comes blasting in while riding a horse like an old school badass and later, while addressing the community of Charleston he’s as presidential as one could possibly get, and it’s something at least I could get very used to.

It’s clear with this season premiere that showrunner Remi Aubuchon has plans to evolve the show to a new point in American history with each season. If season one was the breakdown of the natural order, season two was colonial America after the British landed and now it appears season three is taking on the role of Revolution time and the Volm are the new French allies. Bring it on I say!