Falling Skies Recap: “The Price of Greatness”

by Merrill Barr:

Falling Skies Recap: “The Price of Greatness”
Original Air Date (TNT): August 12, 2012
Season 2 Episode 9

Yup, called it right on the money. The Second Mass has made it to Charleston but it’s far from the safe haven they had hoped. Instead, it’s run by a pseudo dictator who, despite his best intentions, has turned the Charleston colony into a group a scattered souls afraid of saying the wrong word. It’s not Nazi Germany but it’s far from the Washington D.C. that was promised to our heroes.

Something to truly admire about The Price of Greatness is how well it tells the the story of a military uprising in its forty-two minute run time. When the episode begins, Macnhester (Terry O’Quinn) is in full control of the colony, even over its military. Much to the chagrin of General Bressler. As the episode progresses and Manchester begins to assert more and more totalitarian control, it reaches a tipping point that forces Bressler’s hand in, to quote Pope “a good ole fashion coo.”

Speaking of Pope, I truly appreciated the scene between him and Bressler. Normally that scene plays out where it ends with Pope, despite hating Mason, admits that he’s the right man for the job. But Falling Skies is too good for that cliche. Instead, Pope simply informs Manchester that it’ll be him to knock Tom off his throne, not Manchester. My hope is that scene is the set up for next season that features an ongoing civil war between Tom and Pope. It would push further the analogy of  the Second Mass mirroring that of 1776 America.

And that bring us to Arthur Manchester. While only encompassing one episode thus far, Terry O’Quinn has already created a stunning character for the Falling Skies universe. A self-proclaimed savior of his own doing. The true embodiment of arrogance. “I was here first, so I’m in charge.” The thought of him clashing with the Second Mass next season – if that’s the trajectory the next episode takes – makes me smile just picturing it.

But while Charleston wasn’t without it short falls, some good did come out of the journey. Weaver has finally (and permanently) been reunited with his daughter, Anne and Lourdes finally have a real medical center to work out of and Matt – at least for a little while – has a new school to attend. Depending on the state of the Charleston home base at the end of this season, I would like to see these elements broadened. Give the Second Mass a home base rather than a rolling school bus.

But more importantly than anything else, this episode perfectly establishes the stakes for the season finale. And they’re simple. Win, and Charleston is safe. Lose, and Charleston is destroyed. That’s it. The Second Mass will not only be fighting for their right to live, but for their new home. I’d say that’s motivator enough to keep things going.

~Merrill Barr, DarkMedia Resistance Group 49 – out~

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DarkMedia contributor Merrill Barr can also be found on his podcast, The Idiot Boxers and on Twitter @sonic43.

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[Photo Credit: Cate Cameron]