Falling Skies: The Complete Second Season

The second season of this TNT original series focusing on human resistance to an alien invasion of Earth offers larger scope and more details on the nature of the invaders, known as Skitters. Noah Wyle stars as Tom Mason, a single father of three sons, and a former history professor who is also a dedicated member of the 2nd Mass, a militia comprised of guerilla soldiers and civilians. Will Patton plays Capt. Weaver, the hard-bitten leader who's come to respect Tom's strength and tactical ideas, as well as his standing among the civilians. The action picks up three months after Tom has escaped from a Skitter spaceship, where his teenage son Ben (Connor Jessup) had been held. Tom isn't sure what may have transpired onboard, and there are questions about Ben, who still has bolts in his neck from the harness placed on him by the Skitters. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Falling Skies spends its budget judiciously and intelligently, creating a down-and-dirty visual aesthetic while saving the impressive visual effects for the major conflicts and most dramatic missions. While the show hasn't risen to the storytelling power of Battlestar Galactica at its best, it's staking out similar territory, building a loyal audience as it finds compelling stories amidst the pulp drama of mankind's last stand. Compiling all 10 episodes from 2012, extras include audio commentaries and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)