VISITORSITE.NET - V REVIEWS

Review written by Craig Byrne - VisitorSite.net Webmaster

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Only three weeks after the ball started rolling, the four-episode initial run of V is about to come to a conclusion. If I were a betting man, I'd say chances are good the show will be back for more in early 2010, unless for whatever reason ratings fall drastically this Tuesday.

If the ratings do fall on Tuesday, it won't be because of the airing of a bad episode. "It's Only The Beginning" builds on previous subplots, explains some of the Visitors' plan, and offers some cliffhangers for us to think about in the coming months. Here's how ABC describes the episode, by the way:

Erica works with newly-formed allies to uncover a biological threat they suspect the Visitors have been plotting. Aboard the Mothership, Anna meets with a special guest while managing the investigation into the murder of a V. And Chad does a segment on the V Healing Centers, demonstrating their amazing medical abilities, but then finds himself conflicted by some of his findings, on the riveting cliffhanger of "V."

Some instructions coming with the review copy include some things NOT to reveal, but here are some things that I can tell you... the episode starts with a very dramatic moment before cutting to "several hours earlier." Ryan Kennedy, who played Cosmic Boy on Smallville, appears as a Visitor scientist who works with Mark Hildreth's Joshua. We see a bit more of this newly-formed Resistance team of Erica, Jack, Ryan, and Georgie, and learn what their first tactics will be. And again, Tyler's conflict between following his mom's wishes and following the Visitors comes into play.

I know there has been some criticism of the Tyler storyline, but I feel that it's actually a very nice echo to the Daniel storyline from the original V, except unlike Daniel, Tyler seems to be a lot less selfish. In some ways, he might be more appropriately a mix between what happened with Daniel and the things that Robin Maxwell felt - with his feelings for a Visitor clouding his judgement a bit.

I also have to admit, I'm loving this group of heroes and heroines that are forming the resistance. My good friend Rebecca ("Savingpeoplething" on the KryptonSite forums) likened them to the Justice League, and I can get behind that. Ryan, of course being an alien, is the Superman. She sees Erica and Jack as Black Canary and Green Arrow types. And of course Georgie, with his tragic past, is definitely the Batman type. (On that note- playing the "crazy guy" is surely a challenge, but David Richmond-Peck really brings it. I hope to see a lot more of him when and if the show returns.)

There is at least one big cliffhanger left from this episode that of course is not allowed to be revealed. All I'll say about one of them - and hopefully not get in trouble for saying it - is "they had better find a way out of this."

One thing I am really enjoying about V is that I am really getting behind every character - even the peripherals like Joshua seem to add something to the proceedings. So often with serialized drama, there are usually a few characters that I cannot stand watching, and that's not the case here. Everyone seems to serve a purpose - whether it's Marcus acting manipulatively and being leery of Chad, or a poor Visitor about to meet his end, it really works. Also, building on last week, I am really interested in learning more about "John May" and the Visitor resistance that happened in the past - perhaps there's a flashback episode in the future.

In this four-week run there has also been criticism about pacing changing from week to week, with the fast-paced pilot leading into the slower second episode. This episode is more of a good mix. I do consider these first four episodes to be a bit of a "trial run," so, once Episodes #5 and beyond air I am expecting a little bit more consistency. Fortunately for the new writers as well as the ones that are staying on, these characters are so strong that situations can be found easily.

One final spoiler I will reveal: There were clips in the pre-air trailers, such as Jack going after a cannister, that are NOT in this episode. Hopefully they'll end up on a DVD at some point. Actually, I'd love it if a DVD of the first four episodes were to come out prior to the show's return in early 2010.

All in all, this is a great episode. I'm looking forward to seeing it with finalized special effects, some of which should be quite spectacular. V has definitely become "must watch live" weekly viewing for me, and I think it can get even better as the show progresses. (And note to the producers: More Lisa when you come back, please!)

"It's Only The Beginning" airs Tuesday, November 24 on ABC.

Swing by the V forum community at KryptonSite! - See some images from the episode!

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