Falling
Skies: Season 3 (2014/Warner
Blu-ray)
Picture:
A Sound: A Extras: B Episodes: B
TNT's
sci-fi/drama, Falling Skies, returns in this third
season of ten episodes on Blu-ray and looks better than ever. Packed
with a great mix of practical and digital effects, the show is
executive produced by Steven Spielberg and stars Noah Wyle as our
hero Tom Mason. Also featured on the show is Moon Bloodgood, Drew
Roy, Connor Jessup, and special effects actor Doug Jones (Hellboy,
Pans Labyrinth).
Episodes
on the disc start with episode 21 of the series, On Thin Ice
where Seven months after the arrival of the 2nd Mass and the alien
race, the Volm, the resistance continues to fight -- and win --
against the alien invaders following alliances with the Volm and
rebel Skitters. Our hero, Tom, has been elected President of the New
United States in Charleston, working as closely with Volm Ambassador
Cochise (Doug Jones) and newcomer Marina Peralta (Gloria Reuben) as
he does with Weaver. Tensions and suspicions rise when a spy is
suspected in their midst. Arthur Manchester (Terry O'Quinn) is given
the task of finding him, but an assassin shoots him dead.
Episode
22 is entitled Collateral Damage where the 2nd Mass enlists
the help of Dr. Roger Kadar (Robert Sean Leonard) to embark on a
dangerous plan to destroy a nuclear power plant which was providing
fuel to the Skitter mechs in the area. Meanwhile, the spy attempts
to derail the 2nd Mass' plans as they investigate Manchester's
murder. As Anne gives birth to Alexis Denise Glass Mason, her
daughter with Tom, Hal struggles to deal with what he believes to be
dreams of Karen.
Episode
23 is called Badlands where Charleston is attacked by a group
of soldiers, including Lt. Fisher (Luvia Petersen), who are later
revealed to be working for the thought-dead President of the United
States, Benjamin Hathaway. Crazy Lee is critically injured during
the battle. As Matt spends time by Lee's side before she dies, Anne
becomes increasingly concerned that something may be wrong with
Alexis. It is suspected that Anne might be suffering from post-natal
depression/psychosis. Hal reveals to Maggie that he has been meeting
Karen and suspects he might be the mole, and decides to turn himself
in. Tom unveils the Liberty Tree to the citizens of Charleston,
revealing that the names of the people who have died during the
invasion will be hung from it. An explosion rocks Charleston and
Espheni ships fly overhead. The last show is Alexis smiling - what
is she up to?
Other
episodes on the discs are At All
Costs, Search and Recovery, Be Silent and Come Out, The Pickett Line,
Strange Brew, and the Journey to Xibalba,
and finally
Brazil. All in all, the show is a pretty good
watch. The Special Effects are above average for television but the
show is a little heavy on the drama. It should also be noted
that Star Trek: The Next Generation alumni Jonathan Frakes
directed the episode Journey to Xibalba.
The
1080p high definition transfer outlines the original broadcast and
preserves the 1.78 X 1 aspect ratio. The audio shines with DTS-HD
Master Audio 5.1 lossless track and brings you into the heat of
battle with our heroes and an optional, lossy Dolby Digital track as
well. English subtitles are also available on the disc, which clocks
in around 440 minutes in total length.
Special
features include 2nd Watch: Hosted by Wil
Wheaton, Warrior Poet: Creating the Character and Emotion of Cochise,
Karen: The Overlord Next Door, Featurettes, and Behind the Scenes.
If
you are a fan of science fiction then this show is definitely worth
checking out! Season Four has begun back on TNT so this nice
edition on Blu-ray will be perfect to get you caught up!
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.vimeo.com/jamielockhart
