The "V" series premiere topped Tuesday night television for the week of November 1, 2009. TVBytheNumbers.com reports that the drama about aliens visiting Earth pulled in about 13.9 million viewers and scored a 5.0 rating for adults 18-49.
I had not watched the original "V" before watching ABC's remake, so I had no idea whether or not I'd like it. I'm usually not interested in science fiction, and I figured this would be no different than any other alien-invasion show or movie I'd seen before.
Funny thing is, I loved it! I thought the characters and the actors portraying those characters were fantastic, and I thought the story line was very intriguing, especially the story line about one of the people trying to stop The Visitors actually being a Visitor. The plot was fast paced but not so fast that I felt confused or lost.
Overall, this is one of my favorite new fall 2009 dramas. I'm definitely adding it to my DVR list, and I hope all those out there who are anti-science fiction will give it a chance.
Premiere recap
The premiere episode began with what probably only felt like an earthquake. Since it is New York City, everyone ran outside to see what was going on. I mean, when does New York ever have earthquakes? Unfortunately for the citizens, the shake was no earthquake. Instead, it was this huge unidentified object hovering above them. News channels reported that the same space ships were hovering over 29 of the world's major cities.
All of the sudden, the bottom of the ship turned in to a large video screen, and the leader of the visitors, Anna (Morena Baccarin), began to calm the human race. She explained that The Visitors (that is what they call themselves) were not their to harm them and were only looking for water and minerals to keep them living in exchange for technological advances.
It didn't take long for Erica (Elizabeth Mitchell), an FBI agent, to begin an individual investigation on The Visitors. She believed they were there for the explosive compound C4, not for peace. While searching for the C4 she and her partner discovered an underground tunnel, which was packed with C4 and a dead body tied to a chair. Later, she follows a lead to a secret, word-of-mouth meeting. At the meeting, Erica witnesses others having the letter V cut behind their ears. This is done to ensure the people at the meeting are human. Next, the leader of the meeting, Georgie, spouts off about how The Visitors have been posing as humans on Earth for a long time, creating wars and terrorism. Just when Erica is about to leave, she gets her proof that The Visitors are part of the Sleeper Cell. The meeting is quickly ended by a nasty attack, an attack that Erica and Father Jack (Joel Gretsch) barely escape. Georgie escapes with the help of his old friend Ryan (Morris Chestnut), who denounced the secret meeting earlier in the episode. Guess what, though? Ryan isn't who Georgie thinks he is. Ryan is a Visitor.
After the incident, Erica and Father Jack agreed to team up to defeat The Visitors.
Along with Erica's search for answers about The Visitors, Erica is also searching for answers about how to help her son, Tyler (Logan Huffman), cope with his father leaving. He is getting very wrapped up in The Visitors, which she does not approve of, and even before The Visitors Tyler was getting in fights in school. She just can't seem to get through to him, and he has no interest in listening to a mother who he claims is never around. At the end of the episode, Tyler joins The Visitor Ambassador Program.
Chad (Scott Wolf), a local news anchor, is lucky enough to be chosen by Anna to participate in an exclusive interview. Before they begin, Anna tells Chad he can not ask any questions that would put a negative spin on The Visitors. He tells her that isn't possibly, and she threatens to cancel the whole thing. She reminds him that this interview could make his career, and he proceeds. He was disgusted by the interview but not disgusted enough to reject the offer to be the only news anchor Anna speaks with.
Recent Manchester TV Examiner articles
Kate Gosselin tears up, talks about failed marriage on TLC special 'Kate: Her Story' (Nov. 2, 2009)
'Dancing with the Stars' recap: Aaron Carter sees 10s at season nine, week seven performances
ABC Family gets Christmas 2009 started early with 'Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas' (Nov. 2, 2009)
Visit the Manchester TV Examiner homepage and Twitter page (@AmandaAnn86) for TV recaps, news and interviews.
Comments
It is uncanny how similar the story line of The Visitors is playing out to our current events: media is manipulated to not put those trying to take over our country in a bad light; sleeper cells have been in our country for years, living among us - creating wars and terrorism and waiting till they can take over; a single very appealing leader getting on TV any time - controlling what is reported; news anchors more interested in ratings than having integrity and reporting the truth.
This show either comes out to further awaken our country to what is in front of them or simply as a further insult that we won't know what hit us till we can no longer do anything about it. I pray it is the former.
There was even mention of "Universal Health Care". So is this a case of art imitating life? Can someone in D.C. please cut a "V" behind Obama's ear so we can know if he's an alien? Oh…that's right, it's already been speculated by some that he just might be.
Rent A Yenta, you are so right ?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!