Falling Skies – “Grace” – review

An episode of any TV show is aided by good pacing and rising tension. Last week, Falling Skies ended with the reveal that the captured Skitter seemed to control Mike’s deharnessed son Ricky. But then “Grace” seemed to ignore that cliffhanger when it started, instead focusing on trying to communicate with the Skitter and going to find more bikes. Yet in the back of your head you just know at some point it’s going to come up. It has to, right? The show waits, building the tension until the moment, near the end, when it finally happens. It was a big WTF moment. Seeing Ricky pick up his harness and reattach it was beyond creepy.

The road getting to that moment isn’t perfect, but the build is gradual at first and then picks up as the episode goes without many speed bumps. The most notable issue was Ricky being left alone in order for the alien to control him. You’d think someone, like his Dad, would want to stick around 24/7, especially after he woke up and didn’t remember who he was. The level of concern was suspect.

Now the deal with the bikes; I’m digging the missions so far. It gives everything a stand-alone vibe with an overarching purpose to defeat the aliens and rescue Ben. As Weaver says, “First the Bikes, then the drugs, then your son.” I think that adequately describes how the season is structuring itself. It’s taking it one mission at a time, but there is a goal, a strategy of some sort. Now, as to the mission specifically:  there isn’t much to say about it. It was a pretty standard affair. Of course Pope was going to get away, but thankfully we know he’ll be back because of the promos.

There was a bit that will probably drive viewers up the wall, though it didn’t bother me none. Lourdes’ Christian beliefs are extremely present in the episode, and it could come off as preachy to some. On a personal level, I don’t mind it because realistically not everyone loses their faith just because of a disaster. As long as she’s not telling anyone they’re going to Hell, then I’m fine with it. I’ll go so far as to say I encourage it. Plus, the show is trying to keep a positive outlook for now. But if it wants to go down a dark path and have an episode or two end in utter dispair and tragedy, that would be fine.

All in all, I think this episode was a step up from last week’s. Well-built tension and strong pacing overshadowed some minor hiccups. The show is very good at providing answers at a reasonable rate. I can’t wait for Pope to come back, as he’s easily my favorite character.