This really isn’t the best season for science fiction series. “Dollhouse” is all but a goner. New “Lost” episodes are months away. With “FlashForward” unable to take full potential of its great premise and “Fringe” and “Heroes” taking a beating in the ratings, it falls to ABC’s new remake of “V” to take the reigns of viability for genre shows. It is the latest series to try to provide a major-network science fiction program for “Lost” fans to migrate to when that show concludes its run in May. Unfortunately, this is proving to be a hard task. Although “V” has its merits, it is no “Lost” replacement.
A remake of the cult-hit miniseries from the 1980s, the basic premise of “V” is one of the oldest in the book of sci-fi tropes: Aliens (known as the Vs, for visitors) come to Earth and unleash chaos on our planet. The aliens arrive in spaceships, one over all the major cities. They declare their arrival an accident and claim they come in peace. Meanwhile, the humans start a resistance against their new oppressors.
The old miniseries was less loved for its premise, and more for its cheesiness, bad effects and the big twist that the aliens posing as humans are really lizards. This modern day “V” takes about 40 minutes to reveal that twist, something the older series took several episodes to unveil.
Both versions of the show are also heavy on the social commentary. The creators of the 80s “V” slip in not-so-subtle criticisms on World War II fascism, drawing a parallel between the actions of the Vs and Hilter’s Germany. Obviously, that message would not resonate as well with the television viewers of today, so to compensate, the producers of the new “V” series modernize it. Although there are plenty of parallels to the war on terror, more obvious (and some would say, jarring) are lines of dialogue referencing the current political climate. When characters make mention of the Vs providing universal health care and speak about the ever-popular words “hope” and “change”, it seems less like pointed social commentary and more like blatant pandering.
Partially effective messages would be easier to overlook if plot development unfolded at a manageable pace. After blazing through two weeks of time in the pilot, the following episode moved almost glacially. The potential aftermath of aliens promising technology and good will to a skeptical humanity opens up many threads to be explored. So far there is a good idea in tying faith to the invasion, but getting there requires sitting through domestic drama and yawn-worthy FBI investigations.
Character development is also lacking in what is becoming a trend among freshman dramas. With a treasure trove of nerd-friendly casting — including “Lost” alumna Elizabeth Mitchell, Alan Tudyk of “Firefly,” and Morena Baccarin — “V” doesn’t suffer from lack of talent. Baccarin is perfect in her role as the evil alien leader Anna, and Scott Wolf’s journalist character has the biggest potential for development. Any problems here are the fault of writers, who could think of nothing better for Mitchell’s character’s son to do than ogle an attractive alien girl on the mothership for an episode and a half.
It may sound a bit harsh to harp on “V” for not doing much only two episodes in, but there are two things working against the show. First, ABC has decided to only show four episodes during November before putting the show on a winter hiatus. The expectations of how fast the show should progress are higher. Secondly, with the room to explore themes and plot points further than the original miniseries, it is disappointing that “V” has instead chosen to move faster in pace, glossing over the details. No amount of slick production value and good source material will be able hide the reptile under the facade.
“V” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC through Nov. 24, then returns in March.