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ABC's 'V' delivers enchanting aliens to Earth
ABC
ABC will air four episodes of “V” in November and then pick up the action in the spring.
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Published: November 2, 2009
Updated: 11/02/2009 04:29 pm
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When the "Visitors" first landed on NBC in the 1980s, they were reptilian creatures disguised as humans, sneaking around making quick, gruesome snacks out of mice.
What lingers most in memory from the short-lived sci-fi thriller "V" is the image of a lizard-human swallowing a rodent whole. Shocking and way cool in its day.
Some may also remember Jane Badler as the sexy villainous alien Diana or a young Marc "Beastmaster" Singer as a hotshot TV-news cameraman who discovers the aliens' secret.
The new and improved "V" debuts on ABC Tuesday night with the same kind of alien reptiles aboard, but this time they are more attractive and less militaristic.
The 1983 mini-series upon which the new is based drew parallels to Nazi Germany. The aliens wore red uniforms, organized "V" youth corps and quickly moved to eradicate any dissenting voices.
The 2009 aliens are better looking and, while just as deadly, are alluring creatures who are out to first win hearts and minds by getting Earth to see them as saviors.
The Visitors offer cures for diseases (no need for universal health care) and advanced technology (no more oil crisis) and even world peace (no more war).
There's just one little catch, once they take over, humans will be history.
"V" opens with the sudden arrival of 29 mammoth spaceships positioned over major cities of the world. The beautiful "V" leader Anna (Morena Baccarin) beams down a message reassuring the masses they have come in peace.
Some Earthlings are enchanted, others have their faith in traditional religion shaken and some will soon begin to worship the newcomers.
But others such as FBI agent Erica Evans (played by Elizabeth Mitchell of "Lost") and a ruggedly handsome priest Jack Landry (Joel Gretsch) don't buy it. They will eventually join an underground movement of people who discovered that the aliens have been here before, leaving behind sleeper cells.
The fast-paced "V" pilot looks great and hooks you from the get-go. There are a couple of surprises before the first hour concludes. ABC will air only four "V" in November and then pick up the action the spring. If the series is as good as the pilot, then "V" could be a keeper.
HULK RETURNS: The legendary Hulk Hogan is coming out of retirement to join a TNA Wrestling (Total Nonstop Action), a fledgling wrestling group.
The group produces the weekly "TNA Impact" for the Spike TV cable network.
The role of Hogan, 59, role has not been defined but he issued a statement saying that "my fans have been asking me to return to the business for many years on a full-time basis, but the timing or the opportunity has never been right until now."
MORE KATE: As if we haven't had enough of the Jon & Kate Gosselin fiasco, TLC is presenting "Kate: Her Story" at 9 tonight. The newly single mom from "Jon & Kate Plus 8" will give, what TLC says, is "her most intimate interview to date" to Natalie Morales of NBC's "Today."
But wait, there's more:
Nov. 9: "Jon & Kate Plus 8: Top Moments," 9 to 10 p.m., looks back over better times.
Nov. 16: "Jon & Kate Plus 8: Gymnastics and Baseball," at 9 p.m. and "Jon & Kate Plus 8: Never Before Seen," at 9:30 p.m.
Nov. 23: "Jon & Kate Plus 8: It's a Crazy Life, But It's Our Life," from 9 to 10 p.m., may be more looking back than viewers can stand.
TUNE IN TONIGHT
'Big Bang Theory,' 9:30 p.m., CBS
Sheldon tries to teach Leonard the fundamentals of football. Is this a case of the blind leading the blind?
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