Worst episodes thread - War of the Worlds (1988) Discussion

[–] the thorn of Thurisaz 19 years ago

I actually think "Goliath is My Name" is an underrated gem. No one really talks about it. It's a great example of how very unusual the first season really was. First was the music. Not only were those blues riffs a great touch of humour to the episode, but especially when Jefferson goes beserk behind the glass, the music, like Jefferson, is mute, but very violent. I also loved the concept. I loved the idea of an alien getting mixed up between its brain and that of its host. It also shows the first example of something that a couple of later episodes would back-up: these aliens only seem to rebel when chemically altered, not because they have washy human moral issues that inexplicably pop up out of nowhere. I also loved the exploding head at the end - it's one of those things that I remember from way back when it originally aired. It's kind of hard to forget something like that. I also like how it was a clever, albeit perverted, twist to Goliath's end. I also loved the Norton scenes. His annoyance of being neglected shows another part of what is, sadly, the most underdeveloped of our four heroes. If I have a complaint, it's the obvious continuity issues regarding the lone survivor of the mission, as he was seemingly killed by Ironhorse eariler. Given this, and the fact that two of the Advocates were not credited makes me think that the episode had a major rewrite. I would love to read how the episode originally went down. But still, a story dealing with humanity's dark side (Y-Fever was developed as a chemical weapon, which you must have glossed over), role-playing games, The Blues Brothers, an obvious Biblical aspect, chemical warfare, all ending in an exploding head. What other show in television history could craft an episode like this?

I also enjoyed "Choirs of Angels", but I do agree that the dancing thing was pushing it to the cheese border. And Jared was a touching a bit of ham, but other that those two aspects, I enjoyed it, if for no other reason than the fact that this show brought its soundtrack artist in for the part of a rock star - only to kill him off in the teaser. Again, what other show can pull off such a stunt?

Okay, now that I'm done defending, I suppose it's time to bash. Now, I'm assuming that we're sticking to the first season. Because The Second Invasion is just too easy to pick on.

I'm voting for "Unto Us a Child is Born". While I can still find the good in this, it still greatly suffers. I can withstand the gore, and I certainly feel like they were going for a B-movies homage (It's Alive!, perhaps?), but the premise seems to try and stretch longer than it can. The script also could have done with a bit more wit for the bite, whereas I cannot recall any good lines. The episode could have been a bigger piece in the mythology, and I know that we can blame Paramount for a good chunk of that, but it's certainly a time that I curse the stand-alone format that the show took too often. I hate there's this element that could be expanded on, but it's left to vanish and linger unresolved. What happened to the infant? Is he really normal? If they cut him open, did they find anything to help their immunity? The script could have done with a rewrite, putting more focus on where it belongs rather than dicking around here and there just to make the timeframe. The ending also drags, clearly trying to make us think it's a happy ending, but it tries too hard and gives us enough time to figure out before the punchline hits.

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Formless, faithless, and free.

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[–] lmb100 19 years ago

Yes, it only goes to show, I have always found those two episodes among the most interesting and original - creating aliens who use the blues brothers look as a disguise? This writer has a sense of humor.

Unto Us is indeed an homage to gore, but perhaps you are both guys. Seeing it as a woman I have another point of view. An alien takes over a very pregnant woman, that's the revenge of the earthlings.

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[–] luke_bannon 19 years ago

Choir of angels is one I don't particularly like. It's OK, but nothing special. And in some parts of Walls of Jericho the cast are a little wooden, but it's still an OK episode.

ThE MaStER wOuLd NoT ApPrOvE- Torgo

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 19 years ago

Thanks for the response Thorn. Honestly, I applaud your ability to find good elements in those episodes.

"Y-Fever was developed as a chemical weapon, which you must have glossed over" ... I didn't "gloss over" the chemical warfare reference at all, I just think melting brains was a rather ignorant idea that was trying far too hard to sound dreadful, but succeeded only in sounding unrealistic and ridiculous. I have no problem with the name "Y-Fever" or the idea of man developing it as a chemical warfare style weapon, but they could have made it something less childish and silly.

"But still, a story dealing with humanity's dark side (Y-Fever was developed as a chemical weapon, which you must have glossed over), role-playing games, The Blues Brothers, an obvious Biblical aspect, chemical warfare, all ending in an exploding head. What other show in television history could craft an episode like this?" ... You say that as if they succeeded, LOL! Of course, that is your opinion and you already know mine. Really, I don't even find this worth rewriting in an attempt to make it work. The only element of the story worth using was the development of the Y-Fever (with differing effects mind you) and the alien getting exposed to it, set within an entirely different framework.

"Again, what other show can pull off such a stunt?" ... Again, doing it doesn't equate to it being a success. I too like the idea of having the show's composer make a cameo, and the scene where he was killed was great, but the use of the theme as this awesome great new tune that everyone is dancing to was awful. The aliens were laughable. Harrison was borderline laughable. Again, the only thing here worthy or being carried over into a brand new stroy framewrok was the aliens brainwashing a scientist to discover a vaccine for the earth bacteria. The rest should have been scrapped at the brainstorming sessions.

As for Unto Us A Child Is Born, it is not the worst episode to me. In fact, I think it presented some very interesting ideas. I do agree that a rewrite was in order to better flesh out certain aspects though, especially what exactly happened to the mutant baby theat resulted in the 100% human infant. Still, it's suspense alone made it better than anything Goliath or Choir of Angels had to offer. In all honesty, my only biggest hang up with this episode is the sudden need to show us excessive gore. Why did they do that? It boggles the mind that they even got away with that on television in 1988. Still, the nurse/leg scene was enough to make the episode drop several letter grades just for the sheer idiocy. Like I said though, this episode had lots going for it, even if it ultimately failed to deliver, that keeps it from being the worst episode by far.

Oh well, I am just defending my choices for worst episodes, so please don't take any of that as me trying to trash opposing opinions! I did enjoy reading your point of view and I thank you for responding.

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[–] sark-2 19 years ago

I'm almost done watching the box set. I'm on the last two discs.

I just watched Child is Born today--awful, awful, awful. That's one of the worst. I'd also say Dust to Dust--the one with the Indian shaman that apparenlty can make trout materialize in a cop's pants is probably THE single worst episode ever.

Choir of Angels is also up there--that Billy Carlos, what a genius!

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 19 years ago

"I'd also say Dust to Dust--the one with the Indian shaman that apparenlty can make trout materialize in a cop's pants is probably THE single worst episode ever" ... We all truly do have varying opinions! I liked "Dust To Dust" back then and I enjoyed it now. I thought this provided an interesting glimpse into Ironhorse, as well as weaving the aliens into Indian lore fairly successfully. The old Shaman's illusionary tricks were possible because he had a alien crystal in his possesssion, so I didn't find that ridiculous. I was always enamored by the warship with legs...an homage to the H.G. Wells novel.

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[–] mistermime 19 years ago

Wow. We do have different opinions indeed. "Choirs of Angels" is my favorite all-time episode (and a favorite of many WOTW fans according to fanzines). Even though it used the well-worn chestnut of subliminal messages, that doesn't mean that the episode was going to be bad. "The X-Files" were able to make two subliminal embed-heavy episodes ("Blood" and "Wetwired") to be intense classics.

I loved the teaser act- with the aliens recording the embed in the cavern, along with the Advocacy. And I adored the kinetic editing which was to symbolize the way the embed was going to attack the human psyche. And the cameo of Billy Thorpe (as Billy Carlos) was sublime. Not to mention the scene with Heidi Von Palleske (as the female alien soldier) breaking the fourth wall by looking at the camera when she did her line, "This is Billy Carlos' answering machine. He's on tour- and you're not".

Speaking of the aliens, the alien triad in this episode were the best of the series (excluding the Advocates of course). I loved their chemistry and their natural curiosity while they waited for Dr. Von Deer. Notice their curiosity of makeup and human games? I especially loved the fact that the limo driver is now in the trunk of the limo- where the guns are also stored.

Yes, Jared was a bit cheesy in his delivery but Jared was admittedly never the best actor on the show. You can tell he is used to stage work more than TV- because his approach is very theatrical. But, it was powerful to watch Harrison and Ironhorse solve their conflict the way they did (and that handshake solidified their friendship and showed how far they have come since "The Resurrection").

And "Goliath is My Name" is another all-time great. I can go into that episode later but I felt compelled to discuss "Choirs" greatness first.

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 19 years ago

Wow mistermime, I am utterly shocked that "Choir Of Angels" could be your all time favorite, but to each his own. I'll just take your word for the X-Files episodes that featured musical embed plots, for I don't recall these episodes. I admit that I was only a casual viewer of that show though. I don't have a problem with Billy Thorpe, but I must say, using his theme to the show itself as the actual music the characters were listening to was just plain goofy and took me out of the story completely. A fanzine article can never change my uber-disdain for this episode. I have to admit, I really expected everybody to jump on board and hate these episodes with me, but you have all surprised me, haha! Go ahead and post what you liked about my other hated episode, "Goliath Is My Name".

yojimboy, my gripe about the leg part of "Unto Us a Child Is Born" was the dumb way that the alien just grabbed her leg and it broke off. Limbs have to be torn or ripped off under extreme circumstances, not by a mere hand reaching out and slightly lifting upwards. That was plain stupid, no matter how you look at it. It reminded me of those LEE PRESS ON LIMBS cartoons from Liquid Television several years ago! You know, if you break off a limb, just buy Lee Press On Limbs...lick it, and stick on your new limb, LOL! Those were hilarious! Other than that, I liked the episode rather well myself, as mentioned in an earlier reply.

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[–] yojimboy 19 years ago

I just watched the "Child is Born" episode for the first time today (making my way through the DVDs), and I dug it. The gore was shocking, but in a good way. I couldn't believe the leg bit -- wonderful. Just what the show needed to shake up the formula a bit. Also notable about that episode: the alien who takes over the pregnant woman was played by Clark Johnson, who went on to a starring role in the critically acclaimed NBC crime drama Homicide: Life on the Streets! He also directed the film S.W.A.T., which I haven't seen. The twist ending was good as well, as it defied my expectations. I expected there to be a twist, but I thought it was going to be the baby menacing the grandparents, not the other way around.

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[–] the thorn of Thurisaz 19 years ago

Really, I don't even find this worth rewriting in an attempt to make it work

You misunderstood me there, and perhaps it's my own fault for not being clearer on it, but I was simply referring to my theory that some of the early episodes of the season were rewritten to give more screentime for the Advocacy as they have fairly large parts in episode for which they go uncredited (prime examples being "Eye for an Eye" and "A Multitude of Idols").

Limbs have to be torn or ripped off under extreme circumstances, not by a mere hand reaching out and slightly lifting upwards

I doubt that this will change your opinion, but keep in mind that those aliens are strong bastards, even their newborns have some muscle to them.

I shall also defend "Dust to Dust". Much like "Among the Philistines", I initially didn't find much to the episodes. But it turned out to be an episode that had to grow on me (I have no idea what that expression really means, but since you understand its meaning, I'll move on). I thought it was great, first off, for showing how Native Americans are being mistreated. It's bad enough that they got screwed long ago, but they still have to put up with the white man taking from them, thinking they have the right to walk all over them in the present as well, especially because due to the state of their culture. It was also nice to finally put a light on this side of Ironhorse's heritage as the rest of the time we only saw Paul, the soldier; not Ironhorse, the Indian. And as someone mentioned is the reference to the tripods of the Wells novel. It's something I think of in how the first season was better at taking its story from the original novel than the 1953 film did. I mean, everyone bitches about the lack of tripods in the original, and the series actually gave it to us while still retaining that look from the film. I also thought the lightning was a nice little homage to the book's "bows and arrows against the lightning" analogy (and somewhat ironic given that it was summond by a Native American). And while continuing the episode's respect to the novel is what I thought was a little play on the aliens' complacency. For the most part, the aliens have had to deal with things that can be fixed by their intelligence. But I doubt the aliens could comprehend something like the Spirits; and it's certainly nothing they can fight off or have work in their favour. Not since 1953 have the aliens been given a comuppance to their smug sense of worth. And while we're going in this direction, it was with this episode did I realise the producers were clearly painting a parallel to the European colonisation of the Americas - another aspect brought over from the novel. It was made even more obvious with the information given in "The Prodigal Son". Everyone moans about the total lack of superficial loyalty, but this is a more important aspect well adapted that the book's purists followers never talk about because it's evidently too difficult for them to dig that deep for a TV show. And then there's the furthering of the mythology. Not only do we learn that the aliens have been to Earth long before 1938, as well as a peek into their technological history, but I also love the clear but ambiguous reference back to the story Ironhorse told in the pilot episode. The integration of the aliens into Indian folklore was another little touch they added to the show's mythology that gave the first season such a potent personality.

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Formless, faithless, and free.

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 19 years ago

"You misunderstood me there, and perhaps it's my own fault for not being clearer on it, but I was simply referring to my theory that some of the early episodes of the season were rewritten to give more screentime for the Advocacy as they have fairly large parts in episode for which they go uncredited (prime examples being "Eye for an Eye" and "A Multitude of Idols")" ... Actually Thorn, you were quite clear in the original post. The misunderstanding was more my fault for not making my thoughts more clear. All I really meant to get across in my statement was the I didn't think "Goliath is my Name" would have been better even in it's original state before the rewrite, for I am of the opinion that the very foundations this episode was built upon weren't good. I still stand behind my original comment as well, that even if there was a new attempt to rewrite this material as it stands, I don't think it would ever amount to a very good entry.

"I doubt that this will change your opinion, but keep in mind that those aliens are strong bastards, even their newborns have some muscle to them" ... My comments were not trying to dismiss the strength of the aliens, but rather show how utterly ridiculous such a "disconnect" like the one shown on screen actually is. Strength is irrelevent, seeing that our bodies don't just come apart like that unless great exertion is applied to a limb as the body is secured and cannot be moved. As you can see, the nurse was in no way secured, but rather just laying in the middle of the floor. Even if she were secured, there would be far greater yanking than a mere effortless grab like the alien hypbid managed. Seeing that the alien didn't have a giant razor sharp claw to slice her leg off with, the scene was laughably bad.

"I shall also defend "Dust to Dust"...It was also nice to finally put a light on this side of Ironhorse's heritage as the rest of the time we only saw Paul, the soldier; not Ironhorse, the Indian" ... I pretty much agree with everything you said about "Dust to Dust" in it's entirety. I actually liked the added character insight we got about Ironhorse in this episode far better than what was given us in "Vengeance Is Mine". Seeing his Indian heritage take center stage was great, as was watching him meet a girl who could capture his heart so well. I wiould like to have in some way seen more of her had the series progressed, perhpas showing us that Ironhorse did indeed pursue a relationship with her.

"Everyone moans about the total lack of superficial loyalty, but this is a more important aspect well adapted that the book's purists followers never talk about because it's evidently too difficult for them to dig that deep for a TV show...And then there's the furthering of the mythology. Not only do we learn that the aliens have been to Earth long before 1938" ... Yes, excellent observations all around. The series is like the red-headed bastard setpchild in many people's eyes, but in all honesty, it went very far in trying to stay true to H.G. Wells' material beyond just superficial links to the 1953 film. I really liked that they even incorporated the Orson Wells radio broadcast from 1938 into the show, an attempt to encopass all War Of The Worlds material and link it together into a cohesive universe. It was brilliant. I will always be a fan of the alien link to Indian mythology presented in this episode in particular. The show has it's failings, of course, but it has so much more to love. I will never understand why so many dismiss it.

"I shall also defend "Dust to Dust". Much like "Among the Philistines", I initially didn't find much to the episodes" ... You didn't like "Among The Philistines" to begin with? I found it to be one of the best episodes, superb writing and superb tension. Up till that point in the series, I immediately found it to be one of the best made episodes.

Well, since this is a WORST EPISODE thread, here are a couple more that I found to be lackluster in light of their overall potential...

"The Meek Shall Inherit"...I so enjoy the appearances of Ann Robinson as Sylvia, but her third time was a bit of a dud for me. Very lazy writing had Harrison and Suzanne happening right up to the very place the on the lamb Sylvia comes running through a fence to escape the aliens so that the episode can conveniently wrap up. The communications plot was not taken anywhere and simply forgotten, serving as just another goal to propel the aliens in one episode. I mean, there was no reason not to pursue this plan because one field mission to get a truck failed. It had potential thanks to Ann Robinson, but needed to be rewritten and strengthened.

"The Last Supper" ... I actually admire this episode for seeking to be more than a run of the mill season recap, but by the end, the actual goals of the aliens made no real sense and yet agained succumbed to lazy writing syndrome. What was the spy's real purpose, and why suddenly reveal itself but to propel the plot? What did the gun toting attacking aliens really hope to achieve? Hostages? Murder? The intent was never clear. It give this a nod for trying to be more than a series usually does with these recaps, but I do wish it would have been fleshed out a bit further.

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[–] the thorn of Thurisaz 19 years ago

The series is like the red-headed bastard setpchild in many people's eyes, but in all honesty, it went very far in trying to stay true to H.G. Wells' material beyond just superficial links to the 1953 film. I really liked that they even incorporated the Orson Wells radio broadcast from 1938 into the show, an attempt to encopass all War Of The Worlds material and link it together into a cohesive universe. It was brilliant. I will always be a fan of the alien link to Indian mythology presented in this episode in particular. The show has it's failings, of course, but it has so much more to love. I will never understand why so many dismiss it.

Not to mention the ties into real UFO mythology. It did a rather well done job of acknowledging its namesake. Especially when you look at Smallville where I cringe at some of the forcefully injected Superman mythos references into dialogue (and I force myself to mention that I only watch that show as a pure guilty pleasure). I look to the War of the Worlds series on how to respect predecessors while still carrying an individual mythology. I can only blame the medium for the dislike. Maybe it's that as a weekly TV series, the mythology had to be spread over several episodes, as opposed to be contained in a single piece (like a film), as well as not staying true to the letter because we all know how harsh purists can be. I think many would find it surprising how much of the mythos is in the first season, like the method of destroying the Heat-Ray in "Eye for an Eye" or the similiarities between the novel's Artilleryman and Quinn. Though I think was a missed oppertunity in "The Good Samaritan" where, in the docking area scenes, I keep hoping to see a ship named Thunder Child. The fact that they can't put it together makes many come as snobbish and ignorant, especially as recent television proves that intelligence can be found in science fiction programmes. If my dumb ass can string it together, these people have no excuse. But I'm beginning to think that the Pendragon film is really now the bastard child of War of the Worlds fandom.

You didn't like "Among The Philistines" to begin with? I found it to be one of the best episodes, superb writing and superb tension. Up till that point in the series, I immediately found it to be one of the best made episodes.

I did say initially. I eventually came to think of it as a very good episode. I especially liked it since it disproves much of the criticism over the team being safe and protected in the Cottage. The aliens actually successfuly broke their security, snuck into their home and did everything but get away with it. The one thing I noticed late into the season was that the aliens were getting dangerously close to finding out about the Blackwood Project. I would have like to have seen this danger played up as the show went on. I also liked that it was really a Norton episode. As I've said, he was an undeveloped character, so it was nice that he got some attention (especially since he's my favourite). I felt the only downsides were that Norton didn't become centre to the story until very late, and that while Kensington's death was meant to show the team's vulnerablity, this was weakened by the fact that he was only in two prior episodes, the latest of which was too far apart from this episode to really be shocking.

"The Meek Shall Inherit"...I so enjoy the appearances of Ann Robinson as Sylvia, but her third time was a bit of a dud for me. Very lazy writing had Harrison and Suzanne happening right up to the very place the on the lamb Sylvia comes running through a fence to escape the aliens so that the episode can conveniently wrap up. The communications plot was not taken anywhere and simply forgotten, serving as just another goal to propel the aliens in one episode. I mean, there was no reason not to pursue this plan because one field mission to get a truck failed. It had potential thanks to Ann Robinson, but needed to be rewritten and strengthened.

For once, I'm not going to argue with you. While not the worst, I will admit that it was severly weak. Like you said, the plot about disrupting communication was very limited. In fact, the device they were looking for was never mentioned by name or discussed at any length. It seemed a way too obvious McGuffin just to set up everything. I read that the writer, D.C. Fontana, had things better fleshed out, but that it was rewritten and these details got kind of lost (though the Sylvia-Molly relationship remained pretty much intact). I would like to see her final version. But I do like the underline commentary about how the homeless are seen as disposable, and Sylvia's seemingly "magnetic" ability to attract aliens being furthered. But like it's been said, I wish the alien plot had been better refined. Many other alien plans are abandoned because they believe that it was the plan that failed and not them, so they throw it away. Like you said, they didn't set get as far as to set their plan up, so it make little sense. Though the general idea of communication disruption in the episode always reminds me of the aliens' general goal in the War of the Worlds story. "Their apparent objective is to crush resistance, paralyse communication, and disorganise human society."

"The Last Supper" ... I actually admire this episode for seeking to be more than a run of the mill season recap, but by the end, the actual goals of the aliens made no real sense and yet agained succumbed to lazy writing syndrome. What was the spy's real purpose, and why suddenly reveal itself but to propel the plot? What did the gun toting attacking aliens really hope to achieve? Hostages? Murder? The intent was never clear. It give this a nod for trying to be more than a series usually does with these recaps, but I do wish it would have been fleshed out a bit further.

While I also found this one weak, I did find more redemption than you did. I think the general plan was simply to kill the resistance. The spy revealing herself was what I think to be an example of the aliens arrogance. "My kind are here, so screw this 'role-playing' crap." Had she kept shut, she might have been able to walk out of there and give the information she learned first-hand to the Advocacy, regardless of the aliens breaking in outside. It's what I was talking about above, the aliens coming too close to finding their major opposition. Here they blew it because of their one failing: their over-confidence. They are no doubt brilliant and deadly enough to have conquered the earth already, but its their hubris that always bollixes it up. But I think the fault of the episode was that it just didn't put enough tension into the plot to really make the ending pay off as well as it could have. And I will agree that the clip-show technique was better handled than what most shows do. It doesn't hurt that they threw in a few new facts about the aliens.

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Formless, faithless, and free.

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[–] obsidiantailor 19 years ago

I finished "The Prodigal Son." Up to this point, I have to say that the episode I disliked the most was "He Feedeth Among the Lillies." "Dust to Dust" didn't do anything for me, either.

Billy Carlos! Obviously a play on names...Billy Thorpe and Carlos Santana. That episode was so laughable that I will give it a pass.

Though the pow'rs of darkness against us frown,
We shall win the fight, and shall wear the crown.

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 19 years ago

"I finished "The Prodigal Son." Up to this point, I have to say that the episode I disliked the most was "He Feedeth Among the Lillies." "Dust to Dust" didn't do anything for me, either" ... Another case of our very different opinions! This thread never ceases to amaze me. Why didn't you like He Feedeth Among The Lillies, might I ask? I thought it was a very good episode. I liked how it showed Harrison fall in love, and I admit, it infuriated me when Karen was taken. I felt Harrison's pain.

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[–] obsidiantailor 19 years ago

... Another case of our very different opinions! This thread never ceases to amaze me. Why didn't you like He Feedeth Among The Lillies, might I ask? I thought it was a very good episode. I liked how it showed Harrison fall in love, and I admit, it infuriated me when Karen was taken. I felt Harrison's pain.

I disliked it pretty much for the same reasons you liked it.

Also, it seemed like nothing more than a desire to tell an abduction story.

Though the pow'rs of darkness against us frown,
We shall win the fight, and shall wear the crown.

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 18 years ago

"it seemed like nothing more than a desire to tell an abduction story" ... Well, wasn't all of the episodes basically rips on other sci-fi ideas, molded to fit the series?

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 19 years ago

"Not to mention the ties into real UFO mythology" ... Yes, I thought they used the UFO mythology quite well myself. Episodes like He Feedeth Among The Lillies didn't try to hide that they were addressing this by any means, but it really did fit with the series quite well. I agree with you overall points in regards to there being plenty of mythos from War Of The Worlds' past efforts to be found here in the series...all one has to do is pay attention.

"But I'm beginning to think that the Pendragon film is really now the bastard child of War of the Worlds fandom" ... Perhaps we should officially include their film in with this series for the sole purpose of proclaiming it the absolute worst episode EVER in this thread!! I have never watched such incompetence unfold on my television in all my years. The very worst episode of this series is made to look like a flawless masterpiece when put next to the Pendragon Pictures version.

"I read that the writer, D.C. Fontana, had things better fleshed out, but that it was rewritten and these details got kind of lost (though the Sylvia-Molly relationship remained pretty much intact)" ... I would love to read the original version of The Meek Shall Inherit, just for the sake of comparison. I wonder why studios feel the need to rewrite good ideas to the point of ruining them?

"Many other alien plans are abandoned because they believe that it was the plan that failed and not them, so they throw it away. Like you said, they didn't set get as far as to set their plan up, so it make little sense" ... Another episode that pretty much abandons a great idea due to one failure is Vengeance Is Mine, where the aliens are creating new hand held laser guns powered by rubies. just because one attempt to steal lots of cash is thwarted, they scrap the whole entire plan???? Like with the communications plan, this one had vast potential. There was no reason for it to be scrapped.

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[–] rock_slabfist 19 years ago

Choir of angels...DEFINITELY!

The chestnut of subliminal lyrics was old hat in '88.

Add the alien music exec saying "give it to me" and "more...faster" over and over again and I just collapsed in a fit of laughter.

Also the images of Harrison Blackwood "rocking out" is just TOO HILARIOUS!

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 19 years ago

Ah, my War Of The Worlds soul mate at last!!!!! I thought the scene you described above was simply detrimental to the episode right from the beginning, and had me rolling in the floor laughing as well...or was that eye rolling? Harrison's "rocking out" was so unconvincing. Well, many people like many things, and we have people here who like that episode (which is just fine, might I add). Still, it is very good to hear from another who felt like I did!

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[–] Jasons_Argonaut 17 years ago

Bump for anyone else who'd like to reminisce about old but bad episodes!

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[–] the thorn of Thurisaz 17 years ago

Even though I did enjoy "Choirs of Angels" and will defend it against being a baddy, I do have to admit that the scenes of the old geezers "rockin' out" makes me cringe and would try to glance over to show people the first season's beauty. Jared Martin's over-acting doesn't help. Otherwise, I think it managed to execute at least 65.2 of its potential. I enjoyed the drama of seeing a character like Harrison do a radical turn in his belief system, and it did deliever a few slices of dark humour, a couple of clever in-jokes as well as the class of simple morbidness that only the first season could deliver. I wouldn't say the episode was better or worse than average.

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Formless, faithless, and free.

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