Falling Skies

See FOOTNOTE  for copyright information.



Noah Wyle stars in an enthralling new TNT series called Falling Skies, which airs on Sundays at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  It follows a band of Americans left alive after a decimating alien invasion.   Entertainment Weekly magazine described the premiere episode as “…mercifully straightforward:  The only mission is survival.” 

We love it!  At the heart of Falling Skies is, well…HEART.  Ordinary people have been thrust into extraordinary circumstances and are struggling to live from one day to the next.  Everyone must make choices, often very difficult choices.  Some cling to their principles and are willing to do what is right no matter the personal cost.  Some choose to do what will benefit them today regardless of the consequences to others.  In many ways, that’s not unlike our polarized country today.

This is a show the whole family can enjoy together, though the realistic “skitter” aliens may be a bit too frightening for the very young.  There’s action, there are tender moments, and a lot of twists and surprises.  Rated TV-14, the episodes have so far been refreshingly free of sexual immorality and offensive crude humor.  Mild profanity has been used on occasions, usually when the characters are in grave peril.

The episode “Grace” ends as everyone shares a meager meal and reflects on why they are still blessed.  One by one they join hands as the character, Lourdes  (played by Seychelle Gabriel) begins to pray, “Heavenly Father, for everything you’ve given us and especially for our connection with each other, may we be truly thankful.  In the name of the Father, the Son and of theHoly Spirit, Amen.”  Soft “Amens” spontaneously echo around the lantern-lit dining hall of the abandoned school where they have taken refuge, then the end credits roll.

Falling Skies has offered some excellent lessons should we ever find ourselves in a similar situation.  No, I’m not suggesting an alien invasion might actually occur, but given the current weakened condition of our nation, a terrorist attack, an invasion by a foreign power or a complete economic collapse is not implausible and could plunge us into a situation similar to Falling Skies.

We feel TNT, the producers, directors, actors and crew have done a GOOD DEED by creating this show.  In addition to entertainment, it serves a higher purpose.  It causes us to ponder the unthinkable that might actually occur.

Click FALLING SKIES Video to watch full episodes you may have missed.

Be sure to check out Producer/Director Greg Beeman's blog titled "Beaming Beeman".  You'll find some very interesting posts about Falling Skies and cool behind the scenes pics.

08-15-2011 Note:  Falling Skies wrapped up its emotional first season on 08-07-2011 with Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) heading off to battle the aliens all alone -- oh, how we love  a lone, suffering hero!  According to Greg Beeman's blog, work has already begun on Season 2, scheduled to air next summer.  We're looking forward to it!  Hope Season 1 will soon be released on DVD.

FOOTNOTE:  This Falling Skies image is a screenshot of a copyrighted TV program.  It is believed that this use of this image for identification and critical commentary qualifies as fair use under the United States copyright law.

We invite you to click on “Comments” below this post (or any of the other posts) and share about the good deeds of others that have touched your heart or made a difference in your life. 

We hope you'll visit often to read and comment as new posts are added!

Offer what little you have. It may be just enough.

Bill Wilson, home after a hard day laying brick in 1951

William J. “Bill” Wilson was a man who truly lived the principles he taught to the young people in his Sunday school class.  I know because I was one of his students long before I was his daughter-in-law.

When Bill could no longer lay brick because of a back injury, he and his wife, Carol, opened a small business and sold fireplace equipment.  They had become acquainted with a local stockbroker and his family through their mutual interest in antiques and collectibles.  The stockbroker lost his job and fell on hard times.  Business at the fireplace shop wasn’t exactly booming, but the bills were always paid on time.  Learning of the stockbroker’s plight, Bill asked him if he would like to work at the fireplace shop.  Bill told the stockbroker it would be manual labor for a wage nothing like the salary the man was accustomed to, but it was the best Bill had to offer.  The stockbroker thanked him, but declined.

Sometime later, when the stockbroker had gotten back on his feet, he told Bill that though he didn’t take the job, Bill’s offer had saved his life.  You see, he was planning to commit suicide, but the genuine concern Bill showed for him had changed his mind.

Happiness by the Page

In our book, The Battle for the Book of Good Deeds, hundreds of engraved quotations cover the polished white marble walls of the receiving vault.  One quote reads, “I cannot live without books,” which was said by…oh, wait a minute…that’s a question in our Reader’s Guide so I shouldn’t tell you.  You need to look that up for yourself.  Anyway, back to what I was saying.  I found an interesting snippet about the love of books titled “Happiness by the Page” compiled by Margena A. Christian in the August 2011 issue of Ebony magazine. Here’s what it says:

“Reading delivers the same mood and life satisfaction people get from affiliations with real-life groups.  A study in Psychological Science shows that when we read, we psychologically become part of the community described in the narrative.  That mechanism satisfies the deeply human need for belonging.”

No wonder so many of us love our books!

That's Life

During the summer of 1974 Michael’s younger brother, Keith, discovered a nest of orphaned cottontail rabbits on the grounds of the utility power plant where he worked.  Evidently their mother had met her demise in an encounter with the mower.  He gathered up the cute little bunnies and took them home.

In spite of Keith’s tender care, none of the baby rabbits survived.  Sad, but that’s what happens in real life sometimes. Even though our good deeds won’t always turn out the way we hope, we should never pass up an opportunity to try.

Pay It Forward -- Literally

A couple years ago our friend, Lois, who is in her late eighties, was checking out her weekly order of groceries.  As soon as the cashier rang up the total, a young woman in line behind Lois reached in front of her and handed payment to the cashier then turned to Lois and said, “You remind me so much of my grandmother and I’d give anything if she were still alive so I could buy her groceries.  Since she isn’t, won’t you allow me the pleasure of paying for yours?”   Needless to say, Lois was taken aback.  At first she wondered if it was some sort of scam, but the young woman’s sincerity convinced her otherwise and she accepted.  Lois still mentions this incident quite frequently and speaks fondly of this kind-hearted stranger.  “And it wasn’t just a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread,” Lois will say, “It was a whole cart full of groceries!”

War Horse Hero Sgt. Reckless

In our story, an ancient text called The Book of Good Deeds is the object of eight-year-old Marty’s quest.  In this legendary volume, all the noble acts of ordinary mankind are recorded.  The book grows thicker each time someone performs a good deed.

After reading the article about war horse hero Sgt. Reckless in the July 2011 issue of Cowboys & Indians magazine, we’re certain The Book of Good Deeds must also contain a record of the noble acts of our animal companions as well.

In her article, writer Elizabeth Kay McCall says of Sgt. Reckless, “She is the forgotten hero from The Forgotten War – a little sorrel Mongolian mare whose heroism during heavy combat in Korea was so monumental, the U.S. Marine Corps made her a staff sergeant.”  The account of the courageous acts of this horse, who carried the wounded to safety on her own, will bring tears to your eyes.

Here’s a video in tribute to her: