Anyone catch the new "V" (Visitors) last night?

Joe F · #1 11-04-2009, 11:05 AM

So back in 1983 when I was just a lad, this came out as a mini-series on NBC and it was just fantastic, or at least the Joe F of 1983 thought so. An exciting edge of your seat thrill ride. Marc Singer made a great main character hero that you really cared about. Jane Badler was great as the villainous alien leader and seemed to relish the role and ham it up without taking herself too over the top seriously. It was all good fun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_(The_...al_Miniseries)

Then a year later, they made a mini-series sequel. Again fantastic!

Then they decided to push their luck and make it an actual weekly series. Interest waned and it only survived one season. I thought it was trying way too hard to stretch a good thing and milk it for all it was worth.

Now ABC has brought it back with the latest in CGI special effects that make what was available in the early 80s look downright cardboard tacky in comparison.

Still, I ended the premier episode hour last night quite apathetic about any of the characters including the Michael J Fox lookalike. I was pretty much underwhelmed and don't even know if I'll watch it again.

Maybe sometimes you really do need leave good things alone....

raulb · #2 11-04-2009, 11:57 AM

Yeah, I saw it last night. I also have video tapes that I made of the first series that I will have to watch again. I don't remember if I have the miniseries or not.

I remember the original being a lot more high energy right from the beginning, and I was a big fan. Last night's was, of course, just setting the stage for the new series, but it didn't grab and hold onto me.

I did keep wondering how that girl kept her lizard body inside that skinny human skin, which they showed as being fairly thick. The actress is pretty, but really didn't do much for me. Jane Badler though, there was a lizard you could lust after.

And did you notice, the priest looks a bit like Mark Singer?

Gotta rush off and watch my "V" vids.

riorider · #3 11-04-2009, 12:27 PM

I don't usually watch any broadcast TV... but did watch V due to good memories of the '83 series. And - as well - reading the AC Crispin book (not sure if that was written using the screenplay or vv - and I'm too lazy to get up and go look!) but the book and the series was fascinating due to the "resistance" theme. It's the same theme that draws me to watch Red Dawn periodically. I put myself in their place, and wonder how I'd do.

So, I'll likely watch it again next week, and hope it retains some energy. I was somewhat expecting to be disappointed but wasn't... I know - that's a lukewarm endorsement..

Phil

Dotneck · #4 11-04-2009, 02:08 PM

I think the lead alien was kinda good looking (as a human) but other than that I lost interest after about 20 minutes. Don't remember the original series but my wife mentioned that she remembered it. (I don't remember most shows 'cause I haven't seen ost of them...)

I may watch some more of it if my wife has it one while I'm in the room but its not the kind of show I'd go out of my way to watch....

unimogbert · #5 11-04-2009, 02:26 PM

The lead alien looks a bit like the Geico Gecko from the right angle :-)
(Side face view from slightly above)

I've enjoyed how they've updated the freebies the aliens will bring to match today's debates.

But, as we should know, they are probably there to "serve man."

Jhengsman · #6 11-04-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raulb

Yeah, I saw it last night. I also have video tapes that I made of the first series that I will have to watch again. I don't remember if I have the miniseries or not.

I remember the original being a lot more high energy right from the beginning, and I was a big fan. Last night's was, of course, just setting the stage for the new series, but it didn't grab and hold onto me.

I did keep wondering how that girl kept her lizard body inside that skinny human skin, which they showed as being fairly thick. The actress is pretty, but really didn't do much for me. Jane Badler though, there was a lizard you could lust after.

And did you notice, the priest looks a bit like Mark Singer?

Gotta rush off and watch my "V" vids.

I saw the original run and the most of the repeat of it Sunday on SyFy. I think you got it wrong this pilot was too rushed. In order to get to the attack on the forming resistance by the end everything was fast forwarded.

I was left thinking why would have a resistance formed? The only hint of doom was the Visitor leader telling the newsman that the story will be positive.

Seeing the story though it seems that the aliens have been inplace for years. Instead of playing the Nazi takeover of European countries as in the original miniseries this time its sleeper cells of terrorist. So the same thing happens to a FBI Agent as happened on Fringe in its season premier.

Raystrack · #7 11-04-2009, 02:35 PM

Was the original series the one with Kevin Bacon in it? That was fantastic!! I wonder when we'll get the new one in the UK.

We've recently got a US series space soap called Defying Gravity - it sucks.

What's Kevin Bacon doing these days anyway?

Jhengsman · #8 11-04-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raystrack

Was the original series the one with Kevin Bacon in it? That was fantastic!! I wonder when we'll get the new one in the UK.

We've recently got a US series space soap called Defying Gravity - it sucks.

What's Kevin Bacon doing these days anyway?

No Kevin Bacon, Marc Singer the male lead I think he went on to be The Beastmaster. Since he was more buff then most actors except the govenator Arnold he got those types of roles. Kevin Bacon got taken by Madoff and lost much of his money. His wife stars in The Closer so they are still comfortable. The last role I remember was him playing A USMC Colonel escorting home the body of a fallen Marine, I forgot the name of it.

Raystrack · #9 11-04-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhengsman

No Kevin Bacon, Marc Singer the male lead I think he went on to be The Beastmaster. Since he was more buff then most actors except the govenator Arnold he got those types of roles. Kevin Bacon got taken by Madoff and lost much of his money. His wife stars in The Closer so they are still comfortable. The last role I remember was him playing A USMC Colonel escorting home the body of a fallen Marine, I forgot the name of it.

Thanks - shame - I liked his films.

Joe F · #10 11-04-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhengsman

No Kevin Bacon, Marc Singer the male lead I think he went on to be The Beastmaster. Since he was more buff then most actors except the govenator Arnold he got those types of roles. Kevin Bacon got taken by Madoff and lost much of his money. His wife stars in The Closer so they are still comfortable. The last role I remember was him playing A USMC Colonel escorting home the body of a fallen Marine, I forgot the name of it.

"Taking Chance"

raulb · #11 11-04-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raystrack

We've recently got a US series space soap called Defying Gravity - it sucks.

Don't know that one, but does anyone remember a British si-fi from the early '70s called "UFO" (pronounced "you-fo")? It was all about this group of international government or military people that hunt UFOs, who have invaded Earth. The headquarters is in a British movie studio! You wanna talk suck!

For one thing, although it was made at Pinewood Studios, everyone in the show spoke really lousy American English.

Jhengsman · #12 11-04-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raulb

Don't know that one, but does anyone remember a British si-fi from the early '70s called "UFO" (pronounced "you-fo")? It was all about this group of international government or military people that hunt UFOs, who have invaded Earth. The headquarters is in a British movie studio! You wanna talk suck!

For one thing, although it was made at Pinewood Studios, everyone in the show spoke really lousy American English.

I remember it. It had more combat then reruns of Star Trek and it was better then Space 1999 which is sort of linked to it.

I was just thinking about it in relation to the new V. The only way the resistance makes sense is if there was already an organization like UFO's SHADO fighting the sleeper cell lizards for the years they have been infiltrating earth's banks, FBI, and who knows maybe the older Priest.

I pronouced it you, eff, oh myself.

unimogbert · #13 11-04-2009, 07:44 PM

Kevin Bacon is .... (drum roll) PLAYING GUITAR!

Saw him on a PBS music show. He and his brother are - The Bacon Brothers.

They did a tune called "Girl With The Ice Blue Eyes"

Might be able to find something about them with those hints.

Wadcutter · #14 11-04-2009, 08:47 PM

"But, as we should know, they are probably there to "serve man."

Now there's some "inside baseball!"

Folkstrum · #15 11-04-2009, 08:47 PM

I never really followed the old "V," but I did recall this latest incarnation was resurrecting a former series. I was surprised it moved so quickly to the Visitors being malevolent. Some pretty transparent nods to the current geo-national-political temperament it seems.

I think it was ok, but I am still leaning more toward "Flash-Forward" as a bit more intriguing new series.