Falling Skies: The Complete Third Season

TNT's popular alien invasion show—starring Noah Wyle as Tom Mason, a former history professor turned guerilla soldier in the human resistance—opens its third season with Mason serving as the president of the burgeoning resistance community and working with a new ally, the lizard-like Volm species, who advise and supply technology for the human forces against the insectoid invaders. Conflict and dissention still fester in the ranks, exacerbated by the growing pains of creating a sustainable settlement (the group has lived a nomadic existence until now) and lingering suspicion over their alien allies (can the aliens be trusted to leave the planet to humans after taking their revenge on the Skitters?). A whole lot of secrets and conspiracies complicate the storyline here, although this season also falls back on more familiar plot twists while increasing the action and battle scenes. New to the series this season are Gloria Reuben as the President's most trusted aide and Doug Jones as the alien soldier Cochise, who comes to respect the human forces. Falling Skies appeals to sci-fi fans with its solid mix of old-school alien invasion drama and gritty, scruffy sensibility. Compiling all 10 episodes from 2013, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and post-episode segments from the recap/discussion show "Second Watch," hosted by sci-fi nerd celebrity Wil Wheaton. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)