Well I just got this so I haven't had time to view it but I wanted to let anyone know that War of the Worlds the TV series has season one available on DVD. Until a few weeks ago I didn't know that this was available. This series was on first run syndication in 1988. Just like this DVD set I didn't know about it till I ran across it on television. It centered around Dr. Harrison Blackwood and his group. The aliens who were captured in the George Pal movie in the 1950's were now accidentally freed by terrorist. Until this this time the threat of the aliens conquering Earth had been forgotten. Dr. Blackwood and his group are a human resistance group fighting them. My favorite character in the series was the US government liaison Colonel Ironhorse. Normally the military officer in shows like this tend to get in the way of the other heroes. However, the actor playing the part, Richard Chaves, and the writers were able to elevate this role and created a great character. He almost overshadowed the others and threatened to be come the lead in the series.
The show only lasted about two seasons. Season one was the best. New producers were brought in wanted to take the show in a new direction. The character of Colonel Ironhorse and Norton Drake, played by Philip Akin, were not considered important to that direction. So the actors were thanked for helping make the series successful and let go.
When the show came back for the 1989-1990 season their characters were killed off. That season the new direction looked at the war from the point of view of the aliens. With this it took on a darker tone. I tried to like this new direction but I could not get use to it. Perhaps of Ironhorse and Norton Drake were kept with the series I would have enjoyed it more but after only a few episodes I stopped watching. I must not have been the only one. The series was not renewed for the 1990-1991 season. While the series ended with the war being over it had alot of loose ends from what others have said. I can only believe that these loose ends were to be tied up next season.
So I recommend that you buy this if you see it for sale. You'll have to make up your own mind when season two comes out.
1 comment:
The second season of War of the Worlds was terrible, a complete 180-degree turnaround from everything which made the show great in it's first season. Nevermind the inane rewrites and the second alien race invading, but the whole thing came out of left field and sat there, lifeless. Several subplots were dropped with no explanation ever given (the alien from the season finale who wants humanity as a food source, why no one remembers the original invasion, etc.), and the new episodes not only contracted the previous season but even themselves! (Is it Mor-tax or Morthrai? Are both species from the same planet or different planets?) Even the characters who stuck around acted complete contrary to their established personality. Harrison carrying a gun?! What?!
The first season is fun sci-fi, but the second was a complete drag.
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