Tube Tuesday: “V” is a very entertaining update of a dated sci-fi franchise

Jim Hill

15 years ago

Let’s be honest here. The “V” mini-series that originally aired
on NBC back in May of 1983 wasn’t exactly great television. Kenneth Johnson’s World War II allegory was
kind of on the clumsy side (EX: It exchanged scientists for European Jews as
the party that was being persecuted this time around).

But – that said – this two-part TV event still had a certain
cheesy charm. I mean, where else on the boob tube could you watch a woman
distend her throat and then swallow an entire live guinea pig whole?

Sadly, due to budgets battles with the network (NBC executives
reportedly balked at the amount of money Kenneth wanted to spend on visual
effects for his “V” sequel), Johnson was forced off of 1984’s “V: The Final
Battle” very early in production. He also had nothing to do with its short-lived
spin-off, “V: The Series.” Which aired on the Peacock network from October of
1984 through March of 1985.

But Johnson clearly believed in the premise behind “V.” More importantly he still believes. As is demonstrated by Kenneth’s 2008 novel, “V: The Second Generation.” As well as by
Johnson’s recent attempts to a get a series of “V” feature films off the ground.

Unfortunately for Johnson, Warner Bros, retained the rights
to do a “V” television series. Which they recently decided to do a “Battlestar
Galactica” –style reboot of.

So what’s the verdict on the latest version of “V” ? Based
on the pilot (which airs tonight on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ), Kenneth may have
to wait a few years before he can get those “V” feature films off the ground.
For this new TV version of “V” is just as smart — importantly, just as
entertaining – as the SciFi Channel’s reimagined “Battlestar Galatica” was.

The pilot begins with an early morning shot of New York
City. Over which these titles appear:

Where were you when JFK was assassinated?
Where were you on 9/11?
Where were you this morning?

And – from there – we watch as our lead characters are rudely awaken as massive spacecraft suddenly appear in the skies over 29 of the world’s largest cities.

Scott Peters (i.e. the man behind “The 4400” and the most
recent “Outer Limits” reboot) quickly introduce our lead characters:

FBI Counter Terrorist Agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth
Mitchell). Who’s been having a lot of trouble lately with her rebellious
teenaged son, Tyler (Logan Huffman)

Chad Decker (Scott Wolf), a TV news anchor who’s frustrated
because his career seems to be stuck in neutral
Copyright 2009 ABC Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Father Jack (Joel Gretsch), a priest who ‘s recently begun
questioning his faith

Ryan Nicholas (Morris Chestnut), who’s just about to buy an engagement
ring for his fiancé, Valerie (Lourdes Benedicto) when the mothership appears in
the sky over Manhattan

At first, the city is in a panic (In an affectionate nod to
Roland Emmerich’s 1996 film [Which has often been accused of lifting its
premise and even the shape of its spaceships from “V”], one character
is heard to say “This IS ‘Independence Day”). But when Anna (Morena Baccarin)’s
face appears on the underside of the mothership, offering a message of peace,
the crowd below actually bursts into applause.

But as fans of the original “V” mini-series well know, just
because the Visitors talk about offering Earthlings things like universal
healthcare and set up Healing Centers doesn’t mean that there isn’t a hidden
agenda here. One that Erica & Father Jack only learn about as “V” ‘s first episode
draws to its very surprising close.

I have to admit that one of the real pleasures of this “V”
reimagining is how skillfully Peters & his production team have set their
story in today’s world. Where teenagers – after tagging a building with a “V”
symbol – would then (of course) upload this footage on YouTube. Or better yet,
how Erica and her team at the FBI’s Counter Terrorism office use an undelivered
text message on someone else’s cell phone as a way to infiltrate what they
think is a terrorist cell. But what actually turns out to be the beginnings of
the V resistance movement.

To say much more would really spoil the fun of watching this
first episode of “V.” But know this: Not every character that you’re introduced
to in the pilot makes it out alive. More importantly, is what he or she appears
to be.

But that said, provided that Peters & his production
team can actually deliver on the promise of “V” ‘s pilot, ABC may soon find
itself with a third sci-fi hit on its hands.

Which brings us to the bigger question: Will “V” become like
“Lost” and “FlashForward” (i.e. the sort of series where you just can’t afford
to miss a single episode) or will it repeat the pattern of the original
mini-series (i.e. starts out strong and then just devolves into sci-fi –themed silliness)?

So what about you folks? Will you be tuning in to watch “V”
on ABC this evening? And if not, why not?

Your thoughts?

I know, I know. Halloween’s barely over. It’s just the first week of November and people are already yammering about the holidays.

But that said … If you’d like to show your appreciation for all the great stories
that you’ve read at JimHillMedia over the years, then why not start out
your next Amazon shopping spree by clicking on the banner above? That
way, JHM gets a teeny tiny chunk of whatever you spend.

Happy Holidays!