I can remember watching this the first time it ran on TV. After Close Encounters and ET, it was almost refreshing to see aliens who were evil and bent on taking over the planet. I was impressed with the of the piece, the allusions to Nazi Germany and the idea of how everyone would react to such a takover.
Now, over 23 years later, I watch this series and want to weep for the lack of good, original programming that we have now. For all it's faults, it's slightly melodramatic tone, etc, this mini series was such a superior piece of television that that alone overshadows any flaws one might want to nitpick. The characters--and there are many--are all given good backstories and we care about them. The scope of what this series did was phenomenal, with both production design and story.
Many people have said the sequel was not as good, and it's true that it abandoned any undertones of significance for a more linear story, but it did give a good wrap up. I loved the idea that we could defeat the aliens by using biology and not super weapons. While stealing straight from H G Wells, it was a wonderful ending that made logical sense. I just wish Elizabeth had saved the world the way she did in the book, by using the computer, instead of the mystical rays emitted from her body. This didn't get explained and was a reach, but it can be forgiven in view of the other strong points.
Just to point out, this series came out the same year as the Thorn Birds. It makes you ask, what has happened to television? Does no one want to take risks anymore?
Now, over 23 years later, I watch this series and want to weep for the lack of good, original programming that we have now. For all it's faults, it's slightly melodramatic tone, etc, this mini series was such a superior piece of television that that alone overshadows any flaws one might want to nitpick. The characters--and there are many--are all given good backstories and we care about them. The scope of what this series did was phenomenal, with both production design and story.
Many people have said the sequel was not as good, and it's true that it abandoned any undertones of significance for a more linear story, but it did give a good wrap up. I loved the idea that we could defeat the aliens by using biology and not super weapons. While stealing straight from H G Wells, it was a wonderful ending that made logical sense. I just wish Elizabeth had saved the world the way she did in the book, by using the computer, instead of the mystical rays emitted from her body. This didn't get explained and was a reach, but it can be forgiven in view of the other strong points.
Just to point out, this series came out the same year as the Thorn Birds. It makes you ask, what has happened to television? Does no one want to take risks anymore?