Falling Skies chronicles the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. In the nine months since the initial invasion, the few remaining survivors have banded together outside major cities to begin the difficult task of fighting back. Each day is a test of survival as citizen soldiers work to protect the people in their care while also engaging in an insurgency campaign against the occupying alien force, whose nature and purpose remains a mystery.
Questions raised by season one for new series:
• Will the aliens help Tom completely cure his son Ben (recovering from being harnessed by the aliens)?
• Why do the aliens want to harness humans at all? What do they want with them (they appear to care for the children they take)?
• How will the decimated 2 nd Mass. Regiment carry on in his absence (or carry on altogether)?
• Who are the slender Overlords who appear to be in charge (we don't see them until the end of season one)?
As the second season of Falling Skies opens, three months have passed since Tom went willingly with the aliens in one of their ships. Nobody has seen or heard from him during this time, and his absence has taken its toll on his sons. Tom hoped that by agreeing to a dialogue with the invaders, he would not only free his son Ben from the invaders’ influence but also get a better picture of the aliens’ overall plan.
Many lives have been lost since Tom left, but the survivors of the 2 nd Mass still struggle on with courage and resilience. Ben and his older brother, Hal, have stepped up as fighters but quickly butt heads as they both seek to secure their roles as leaders in their father’s absence. Hal has developed a strong, if not flirtatious, friendship with former renegade Maggie. Ben, meanwhile, has become a particularly strong soldier. But even though his prowess is a huge asset to the 2 nd Mass, he has an independent streak that could place others in harm's way.
Aubuchon has this to say about the 2 nd Mass: “They’ve changed dramatically. If anybody has been paying attention to the digital comic that will eventually be published here as a book… many, many things have happened and lots of positions have changed. The Mason boys have certainly been affected by not only their father’s absence, but also Ben’s sudden prowess and his ability to fight the aliens….”
Amidst the turmoil, Tom’s youngest son, Matt, struggles to find his place in a world torn apart by war and destruction. Also in Tom's absence, Anne has become more of a maternal figure for the Mason boys. And Weaver, the commander of the 2 nd Mass, continues to lead his fighters into battle against the aliens. The unknown effect of the harness continues to be an unfolding mystery and the 2 nd Mass will discover the transformative powers the harness has on humans.
Throughout the season we will also be introduced to more mysterious alien creatures. One of these creatures has a connection to Tom and Ben that will be surprising. The survivors will have a nomadic existence as they march toward Charleston, where they hope to meet up with other remaining existence groups and begin to rebuild society.
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Season Premiere Part 1: “World’s Apart”
FX • 3 July
Directed by Greg Beeman
Written by Mark Verheiden
The season two premiere begins three months after Tom Mason agreed to go with the alien invaders. Weaver is still in command of the 2nd Mass, while Anne continues to serve as medic. They have seen many battles and are a much leaner unit now. Pope has taken command of the Berserkers, a renegade group within the 2nd Mass that Weaver doesn’t fully trust. When Tom suddenly returns, he is faced with doubt about his loyalties to the group. Meanwhile, Hal and Ben continue to drift apart as Ben challenges his older brother’s authority.
