Hello once again Falling Skies fans,
The series premiere this past Sunday June 17, 2012 did not disappoint!
In fact having the privilege of viewing the episodes courtesy of TNT Networks, we more than expected the two hour season two opener to blow away the competition on Sunday evening. And so it was, Falling Skies did precisely that!
The Dreamworks Studios and TNT production team earned first place amongst viewers in the United States with 4.5 million live viewers and a healthy 1.5 rating.
This occurred on a holiday weekend (Father’s Day) no less. With the two hour premiere thrilling fans, the stage is now set for Falling Skies to rightfully assume its position as the world number one original science fiction series!
Courtesy of the TNT Network, we include a sneak peak of “Compass” for your enjoyment!
Compass Preview:
Our grade for Falling Skies remains solid “A Plus” for outstanding production values coupled with a compelling story arc.
In this episode we will all experience a great sadness when one of the series main supporting actors will be killed in action. So as not to spoil this preveview, we cannot say more at this time.
We can say that the perpetrator responsible for this death will be a shocking surprise for all the viewers.
Offsetting the emotional loss will be a new somewhat uplifting revelation as a relative of one of the Resistance will turn up in the camp in the next episode “Young Bloods”. This is a bittersweet reunion as the viewers will discover this Sunday when Falling Skies returns for the third episode of season two.
Looking retrospectively at the situation, subsequent to the return of Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) to the Resistance after a harrowing three month journey to locate them, compounded by being shot by his son Ben (Connor Jessup) and surgically implanted with an alien probe that was spying on the survivors, we witnessed the nasty flying “bug” depart to report to its alien masters!
The fact that Tom was “bugged” by the alien “Overlords” is juxtaposed with the fact that many in the Resistance have doubts about whether Mason can be trusted any longer. This question will be at the center of the story arc moving forward in season two.
To that point, the “Tom Mason Doubters” are lead by none other than the “Berserker” himself, John Pope (Colin Cunningham), who believes that Mason should be considered a casualty of the war and be perhaps be used as Skitter bait.
Even Tom himself doubts he can be completely trusted as he pitifully shared with his son Hal (Drew Roy) during last Sunday’s premiere. 
Having experienced one of the tyrannical “Overlords” face to face and witnessed the mass genocidal murder of other members of Resistance, Tom knows the aliens will stop at nothing, including using him, to subdue the remaining “free” humans trying to survive on planet Earth!
From here, a critical item turns up that will add to the mystery of what is about to transpire, hence the name of the episode “Compass”. Without revealing the significance of the object, viewers, as did this reviewer, will most certainly enjoy the choice of the episode title by the creators of Falling Skies using a brilliant application of metaphor via emotional attachment.
“Compass” will introduce the viewing audience to a mysterious new character named “Avery” portrayed by the talented and gorgeous Canadian actress Camille Sullivan (Alcatraz, Rookie Blue, Da Vinci’s Inquest). Based on her importance to the story arc, we firmly believe (hope) we will see or hear more of Ms. Sullivan as Falling Skies continues in season two.
In “Compass” we continue to observe the growth of the interaction between Anne Glass (Moon Bloodgood) and her faithful medical assistant Lourdes (Seychelle Gabriel).
Both of these ladies work tirelessly as the medical team in the Resistance to heal the wounded in the fight for freedom against the alien presence on Earth.
In the opening moments of “Compass” we observe Tom and Anne share a long romantic look at each other. Tom is examining a calendar Anne is marking documenting the days since their struggle began. Both are observed in the Resistance’s makeshift Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH Unit).
It is nice to see their relationship continuing to develop as Falling Skies continues its epic science fiction and family drama journey.
This reviewer is convinced we will see the relationship between Anne and Tom continue to blossom as will growing affection between Ben and Maggie (Sarah Sanguin Carter). The expanded romance role for Lourdes finds a new attraction to Jamil (Brandon Jay McLaren).
Introduced during the premiere, Jamil has assumed the role of mechanic and handyman after the apparent loss of Uncle Scott (Bruce Gray) during the hostilities which have halved the remaining number of fighters.
Fans will also be delighted by new characters revealed in season two. The new characters are part of John Pope’s “Berserkers” group with multiple agendas that will be revealed in episode three and beyond. The new fun focuses on the antics of “Tector”, portrayed by Ryan Robbins (Sanctuary, Hell on Wheels), and “Crazy Lee” portrayed by the lovely Luciana Carro (Battlestar Galactica, Caprica).
Sure to raise questions in the minds of the viewers is this; Will “The Berserkers” follow John Pope? Or will they remain loyal to the remnants of humanity that is the Resistance under Weaver and Mason? 
Sanctuary and Battlestar fans will be pleased with the expanded screen time for Robbins and Carro as the issues of loyalty are revealed in “Compass”.
Key in the struggle will be the highly respected “Skitter Fighters” Anthony (Mpho Koaho), and Dai (Peter Shinkoda) who are expected to provide balance for the regular citizens against the dangerous, but often insightful influence of John Pope. This reviewer can share that there is a very fun sequence when a confrontation, internal Resistance politics is coupled with human resource requirements.
Falling Skies fans will no doubt be surprised to learn who joins “The Berserkers” in episode three, “Compass”. Particularly enjoyable is a great sequence of dialogue; “Are You insane?” delivered eloquently and responded to by three of the main cast members!
Quickly coming up in the series and the Skitter fighting ranks is young Matt Mason (Maxim Knight), recently observed receiving weapons training from his brother Ben and caught in the act by Hal.
In the weapons training exercise scene, not authorized by Tom Mason as the father of the family, the young Mason family freedom fighters have taken some survival matters in their own hands during his three month absence.
With character focus on Matt, this gifted young actor, Maxim Knight is literally growing up before our very eyes. This reviewer can share that we will learn much more about “buck private” Matt, who is ready and willing to assist the Resistance, is eager to begin killing Skitter’s and blowing up Mech’s with the armor piercing ammo developed in season one by John Pope!
In “Compass” this reviewer was enthralled as I learned about a critical choice that must be made by the Resistance. This choice will ultimately determine what direction of escape the rag-tag army will have to pursue to survive.
The requirement to select one option over another will raise the level of consternation in the group, specifically between Pope, Mason and Captain Weaver (Will Patton).
Offsetting the tension, Captain Weaver will encounter Avery, the new guest character portrayed by Camille Sullivan, in a moment of mutual respect. Could this be next romantic relationship viewers will experience? For that answer and more, keep watching Falling Skies!
If the Resistance is too survive, they must effectively pursue a successful strategy after the devastating defeat and loss of half their numbers during the alien counter-attack after the ultimately costly raid on the aliens in the season one finale.
All elements of “Compass” are artfully displayed by the Falling Skies team. The superb visual effects add both dimension and flavor to the series.
The Skitter sequences will not only raise the hair on the back of your head, if you have been harnessed, your alien spines may very well light up in sheer horror as you contemplate lifelong human enslavement to the evil “Overlords” and their murderous multi-legged minions!
Beautifully presented, the cinematography in “Compass” is also superb! In one sequence in specific, an expansive “Gone With the Wind” look and feel is infused into Falling Skies using a fantastic pan and zoom shot that everyone will enjoy.
As the episode winds down, the answers to the critical questions of which direction the series and characters will take are forthrightly addressed by the creators.
Like any great series, new questions on where the series is going are raised quite effectively, more than building the bridge of “The Single Effect” for the next episode “Young Bloods”.
As mentioned, Falling Skies has done an excellent job and is most deserving of its accomplishment as the worlds number one science fiction series. The questions raised with exquisite details for more exciting developments are revealed in the fabulous episodes coming up soon our your television screens!
I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
We suggest that you make sure to tune in live this Sunday June 24, 9 PM E/P 8 Central time for Falling Skies “Compass” on TNT followed by an exciting on-line episode of “2nd Watch” featuring Mpho Koaho and Colin Cunningham hosted by Wil Wheaton!
Thank you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency and reading our theories, history back story and significance of the historical reference material imparted for our pleasure by the creators of Falling Skies!
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I and the Team WHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side“!
Thank you. 
Best Regards,
Kenn