V – the 2009 reboot

I’m gonna be shameless here – I was totally enthralled by the original 80’s mini-series “V”.  It broke during the heyday of Return of the Jedi, Buck Rogers on TV and the space shuttle’s inauguration; an era when space stuff was very cool to a lot of us adolescent boys.

The suspense was great and the revelations stunning (a bit cheesy at times looking back – but stunning nonetheless) – I won’t spoil them here.

So when I heard that ABC was re-booting the series I wasn’t sure if they could pull it off… but I think they are on the right track so far.

The pilot was good – a bit bumpy with some bad dialogue (“Down on one knee is a classic”, “You rock”…seriously?) and wooden acting in a few scenes – but overall good.

Sadly they jumped the gun on the reptilian reveal – even the brief glance was too quick. 

This pilot should have been a 2-hour premier event that stretched out the suspense and built us toward something amiss – not the reveal that quick.  Same can be said for Erica’s partner.  Too quick.

My predictions for future Visitor reveals – the old priest and Brandon (Tyler’s friend).  They’re just set up way to good not to be.

I think it is interesting that planned or not, we meet attractive, charismatic, pseudo-saviors who arise on the scene when the world needs them most.  They like total control over the media and come promising universal health care.  Yet they are not what they appear.

Am I saying this bears any resemblance to current politics? 

I’m just sayin’ is all.

"We are of Peace. Always."

(All they are saying is give peace a chance.) ;)

In essence they are saying 'we are here to provide for you and make life better, we are coming in peace and that is always our M.O. - so trust us'   But behind closed doors they are about domination, they are about control.

I'm just sayin' is all.

I was chatting with a friend Jeff recently about alien themed media.  We had seen the movie “Knowing” together and he was telling me about the movie “The 4^th Kind”, which based on his comments I now want to see.  Those coupled with “V” present a common consistent message:  The Bible and Christ specifically are not to be trusted – the notion of panspermia, and that our possible only ‘hope’ lies in the benevolence of Visitors from beyond.  In fact much of "The 4th Kind" looks suspiciously like a movie about demon exorcism.  A growing number of UFOlogists say they are no longer convinced that these beings are from across the galaxy, but from are inter-dimensional beings.  IF vast distances are no longer the issue - then intent is.

I love that fact that one of V’s main characters in this reboot is a priest struggling to come to terms with how V’s fit in with Scripture. (For the sake of avoiding comments and dissertations on Ezekiel’s wheel – let me remind us all that Ezekiel’s vision was about the supremacy of God – not what the wheel looked like or whether it was a UFO – it wasn’t.) Finally, a person of faith who is not portrayed as a complete dunce! And I thought the artistic choice to show the crucifix falling and shattering to pieces was a perfect visual of the V’s intent – they have come as savior’s to displace any other savior – yet their plan is domination and decimation.  And in the first episode we literally see people on their knees with arms raised in worship to the 'motherships' above the city.

And the questions people of faith are asking on the show…?

“I’ve been doubting God”

“Are the V’s angels or demons?”

“Is everything I believed a lie?”

It is interesting to note that UFOlogists also indicate this is a consistent message of those who have been ‘contacted’ by ‘aliens’.  Odd that it is never Mohammed, or Buddha, or the Upanishads – only Jesus.

“The thief comes only to kill and steal and destroy,” Jesus said.  I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

In context of the show…. fitting.

I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series plays out.  How the resistance is built and how the defector V’s fit in. And you know that the alien baby subplot has to come back – it will be interesting to see that reveal along with a full reptilian head. I’m bummed that we have just one more episode in 2009 and have to wait until spring for more.

And until then… the Fifth (V) Column says ‘hello...’