The movie was very well done for its time and quite memorable. This show though, took a very different approach in how the aliens did things. More "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" than aliens in super ships that blast every thing to dust. This added a bit of a horror aspect to a movie that was mainly science fiction and action. This show basically has the bodies of the aliens reviving after a long slumber as the diseases we thought killed them simply put them into a hibernation type state. They are now back on the attack and use the bodies of others to move about the world so you never quite know who is one of the enemy and the people who make the show save a ton on the cost of make up and creature effects. In like the first episode though they did bring back the martian war machines briefly, but for the most part the show was very understated and not over the top in what it showed on the screen. Granted, a few more aliens actually shown might have been cooler, eh?
47 Reviews
Very much a mixed bag!
x1nd0lent26 April 2008
I was often surprised how the War of the Worlds series could often reach such level of perfect tongue-in-cheek black humor and satire, and also fall prey to utterly clichéd stories and poorly thought out escapades! Some suspension of disbelief was easy in that this was a small-budgeted show which was about a global invasion by aliens. The creators seemed to enjoy the quirky dialog and dark atmosphere without taking the whole premise too seriously. Drs Blackwood (especially) and McCullough did well as unusually nerdy heroic leads... although Drake and Ironhorse were saddled with far more corny lines and stereotypical characters. The writing and acting were wildly uneven. But fortunately this happened to swing the quality between entertainingly good and entertainingly bad, only once in a while pausing in boring mediocrity. Of course one of the biggest logical flaws is that the US government admits to three scientists that they do believe the world is being threatened by invasion from a superior alien threat, but that the only resources they can spare to help stop it are in the form of one annoying Army colonel! Of course this is absurd, but due to the small scale of the series they were acting more as investigators.
In my opinion, the best things about this series were the eccentric Dr Blackwood, the interesting dialog, and the alien threat. The aliens allowed the the creators of the show to indulge in some quite surreal and at times macabre set pieces. They were stranded from the famous invasion of the original story and 1953 movie. The invasion failed and these aliens were written off for dead. Now invading "on the cheap", they infiltrate human bodies and try to amass the technological means to contact the rest of their people in space to get reinforcements, which would effectively resume the invasion. Meanwhile, they try to learn about the humans while recovering hibernating aliens and tech. Kind of like a cross between terrorist cells and bodysnatchers. This was a clever way to build the story up from modest resources and present a threat of invasion which was gradual, but with high stakes. The aliens were not used as allegory for communists, yuppies, etc - their motives were, as I recall, not easily understood. The effects of watching "assimilated" humans constructing Rube Goldberg gadgets out of garbage while babbling to each other with scrambled, pitch- shifted speech is hilariously weird!
As has been remarked upon, the second season of the show is a huge departure from the first. Unlike the 1st season, which I have watched recently, it has been almost 20 years since I've seen these. They were worth watching, but in a different way. Everything fast-forwards to a near future where the aliens have all but taken over the Earth. Dr Blackwood has buckled down to a weary guerrilla resistance leader, his old team killed. The larger scale and darker tone of the second series were welcome, but since it was the product of a completely different creative team, there were many inconsistencies. Mostly in retconning of the aliens. Some of these ideas worked, others did not. It worked more like a sci-fi version of Vichy/ Maquis France in World War 2.
Not a great series, in many ways, but a worthwhile and entertaining effort.
In my opinion, the best things about this series were the eccentric Dr Blackwood, the interesting dialog, and the alien threat. The aliens allowed the the creators of the show to indulge in some quite surreal and at times macabre set pieces. They were stranded from the famous invasion of the original story and 1953 movie. The invasion failed and these aliens were written off for dead. Now invading "on the cheap", they infiltrate human bodies and try to amass the technological means to contact the rest of their people in space to get reinforcements, which would effectively resume the invasion. Meanwhile, they try to learn about the humans while recovering hibernating aliens and tech. Kind of like a cross between terrorist cells and bodysnatchers. This was a clever way to build the story up from modest resources and present a threat of invasion which was gradual, but with high stakes. The aliens were not used as allegory for communists, yuppies, etc - their motives were, as I recall, not easily understood. The effects of watching "assimilated" humans constructing Rube Goldberg gadgets out of garbage while babbling to each other with scrambled, pitch- shifted speech is hilariously weird!
As has been remarked upon, the second season of the show is a huge departure from the first. Unlike the 1st season, which I have watched recently, it has been almost 20 years since I've seen these. They were worth watching, but in a different way. Everything fast-forwards to a near future where the aliens have all but taken over the Earth. Dr Blackwood has buckled down to a weary guerrilla resistance leader, his old team killed. The larger scale and darker tone of the second series were welcome, but since it was the product of a completely different creative team, there were many inconsistencies. Mostly in retconning of the aliens. Some of these ideas worked, others did not. It worked more like a sci-fi version of Vichy/ Maquis France in World War 2.
Not a great series, in many ways, but a worthwhile and entertaining effort.
Interesting Show
Johnny_West19 June 2020
I only saw the first season of War of the Worlds back in the 1980s. The lead actor, Jared Martin, played Harrison Blackwood. Harrison Blackwood was too arrogant, very condescending to everyone, and he refused to carry weapons or shoot aliens. He also went off on personal missions regularly, and they usually turned into alien missions. The team would often be disorganized or unprepared because Blackwood refused to communicate with them.
Norton Drake (Philip Akin) played the handicapped computer specialist. NCIS New Orleans has the same character in Patton Plame (played by Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, who is paralyzed). Drake provided a more humble and positive attitude to balance against the over-bearing Harrison Blackwood.
Richard Chaves played Colonel Ironhorse. As a child, he had lived the Marine Corps life as the son of a U.S. Marine. Later he served in the Army, and one tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Chaves was not given enough to do in the show. He often had to work against his character and be the buddy to the others, because Jared Martin was always fighting with Chaves, and talking down to him. Chaves was pretty good in terms of action scenes, and he made the show more fun to watch. Chaves had been one of the Green Berets in The Predator, with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Suzanne McCullough (played by Lynda Mason Green) was the highlight of the series. She was a microbiologist, and she was very bright, and a positive character. She was also good in action scenes, and she was willing to take a shot at aliens. She added humor to the series, and was a good mix between Blackwood and Ironhorse.
The stories were pretty entertaining. It got old that the good guys often almost won, but the aliens got away, or they got the one crucial piece that they wanted. It seemed like the humans never got any complete victories.
In one episode (The Second Seal), the only thing that the humans had to do is destroy a list of alien dump sites, and the list gets passed around so much it reminded me of a Three Stooges comedy. The humans ended up losing the list.
Norton Drake (Philip Akin) played the handicapped computer specialist. NCIS New Orleans has the same character in Patton Plame (played by Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, who is paralyzed). Drake provided a more humble and positive attitude to balance against the over-bearing Harrison Blackwood.
Richard Chaves played Colonel Ironhorse. As a child, he had lived the Marine Corps life as the son of a U.S. Marine. Later he served in the Army, and one tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Chaves was not given enough to do in the show. He often had to work against his character and be the buddy to the others, because Jared Martin was always fighting with Chaves, and talking down to him. Chaves was pretty good in terms of action scenes, and he made the show more fun to watch. Chaves had been one of the Green Berets in The Predator, with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Suzanne McCullough (played by Lynda Mason Green) was the highlight of the series. She was a microbiologist, and she was very bright, and a positive character. She was also good in action scenes, and she was willing to take a shot at aliens. She added humor to the series, and was a good mix between Blackwood and Ironhorse.
The stories were pretty entertaining. It got old that the good guys often almost won, but the aliens got away, or they got the one crucial piece that they wanted. It seemed like the humans never got any complete victories.
In one episode (The Second Seal), the only thing that the humans had to do is destroy a list of alien dump sites, and the list gets passed around so much it reminded me of a Three Stooges comedy. The humans ended up losing the list.
The beginning of modern Sci-Fi TV
Agent108 August 2002
Before the X-Files, before Millenium, Space Above and Beyond, before Nowhere Man and all of the other strange and paranoid filled shows on television, there was War of the Worlds. Set in modern times, this series employed so many disturbing images and stories, it genuinely gave me creeps at night. While the show bombed on many levels with viewers, I only remember it for being something different, out of the ordinary. While young kids were watching cartoons, I tried watching this show as often as possible, considering my parents cared little for it. Then, when it went into syndication, I watched it as often as I could. If you could ever find tapes for this series, and you like odd and unusual programming, then you will like this series.
Disturbing
preppy-318 July 2006
I came across this totally by accident on late night TV back in 1988-1989. It was on right after the "Friday the 13th" TV series. I watched and had two feelings. It WAS good but it was also one of the most repulsive things I've seen on TV. The violence and action were extreme--nothing was held back. I know this was fiction but it was so in your face it got disturbing. Some good acting made it even harder to stomach. When they got to the plot about stealing human babies to do--something (I forgot what)--I stopped watching. It's years later, but I have never shaken the image of a screaming nude baby in an aliens claws and the mother sitting a home and crying next to the empty cradle. Yeah--it's fiction but there ARE limits and this one went way overboard. I'm giving it a 7 nonetheless--it was a strong, interesting TV series. I'm not going to give it a bad vote just for a few minutes that bothered me.
A great series that could be revived at any time.
duran00730 June 2002
'War Of The Worlds' was an excellent show. There were so many dark moments in the first season, and many endings had hollow victories. The cast was great. Jared Martin gave his all, as did Phil Akin and Richard Chaves. What was unfair was the fact that many things that were building towards the second season NEVER took place, thanks to the fatal change in direction. I personally liked the original aliens compared to the Morthren, but they (the Morthren) had some cool weapons. The first episode of the second season should have been the last episode period, unless the producers could find a way to bring more reinforcements from the original aliens homeworld. That would have been a REAL 'War of the Worlds', as the humans could have faced both sets of warring aliens in a battle to save Earth. I'd like to believe that the series could be revived, since one of the early episodes dealt with a list of 10,000 aliens held somewhere that disappeared. It was never revealed if the aliens had it, so it's possible Quinn (an alien from the 1953 invasion trapped in a disease-free human body) could have taken this list, and gone about his own agenda to take over Earth. It's out there, Paramount, so revive the series that the fans want... the Original 'War of the Worlds'.
an excellent series
alrk66-17 January 2009
The first season wasn't the best sci-fi had to offer, but without it, the second most awesome season wouldn't have been as awesome a story. you need the back story to understand a bit of what's happening in the second season. Most television, with rare exception, sci-fi shows are usually predictable: either they're too preachy, too political, or very little attempt at a viable story line or cohesive & continuous story throughout with many ending without actually ending. This one, even with the less than perfect 1st season, had an incredibly deep & thoughtful story line that had a continuous line from start to finish. It must be watched completely if it can to be best understood. I only hope they release the 2nd season on DVD as they've done the first. I've only a remaining playable few episodes scattered on VHS that are steadily becoming more & more unwatchable.
Poor writing & plot based as a follow up to 1953,but ignores that premise
david_w_gibson11 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
So, after all the devastation in 1953 by aliens no one in 1988 knows about it or believes in aliens. Poor writing & plot based as a follow up to 1953,but ignores that premise in that it's like no one knows what happened in 1953, not even people in the army. Ludicrous in that at the end of the 1953 movie, most cities were at least half destroyed.
Also, seems as though all the dead aliens from 1953were stored in 55 gallon drums, because they weren't sure they were dead. That premise alone is laughable, they'd have cut them up and likely burned the remains rather than leave hundreds or thousands of possibly live hostile aliens intact. They'd have kept a few intact ones to study at most.
A classic example in how to screw up a great series
davidemartin8 December 2001
The first series of WAR OF THE WORLDS is great television and great TV SF-- rivetting, exciting, thought-provoking, well-acted, and well-written. Every week it was a delight to watch and worth talking about in the following week with other TV SF fans. And as I recall, it was more interesting that that other big name SF show at the time.... something about next generations, I think......
Then for reasons that will forever escape rationality, the producers were switched and the series radically, FATALLY revamped into a cyber-punk show. The off-hand killing of two main characters, the addition of an unneeded extra male lead, and a drastic switch in the series format from covert action to urban guerilla warfare..... I stopped watching it after a couple months. Most of its fans did too.
The first season is fascinating in retrospect for being one of the roots of X-FILES. But like EERIE INDIANA, it was just a little too ahead of its time. If the show had come along, say, three years later (and NOT had those idiots take over the series in Year Two), who knows what might have happened?
Then for reasons that will forever escape rationality, the producers were switched and the series radically, FATALLY revamped into a cyber-punk show. The off-hand killing of two main characters, the addition of an unneeded extra male lead, and a drastic switch in the series format from covert action to urban guerilla warfare..... I stopped watching it after a couple months. Most of its fans did too.
The first season is fascinating in retrospect for being one of the roots of X-FILES. But like EERIE INDIANA, it was just a little too ahead of its time. If the show had come along, say, three years later (and NOT had those idiots take over the series in Year Two), who knows what might have happened?
Can You Help Me Find This?
youtubejailbreak4 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Scroll deep, this is Long.
I'm hoping someone with a better memory than mine can help me locate / name a specific episode.
This was long ago, and my memory is fuzzy.
I loved what I saw because it was very dark and dystopian. I vividly recall the actor Denis Forest as the main villain being briliantly cast. If I remember right, the episode begins with actor Adrian Paul walking through a city. There is a long line of the poor and the ragged desperately waiting to come up to a barred window where drugs are being sold. Adrian spots someone he knows, "Mister Jimmy" (joke, Rolling Stones reference by the writers). Mister Jimmy is violently rebuffed because he can't pay for his fix.
The main thrust of the series was a lot of desperate attempts by the sick and resource-poor hiding Martians to gain control. In this particular episode, they are developing a drug. It pacifies the violent, but is harvested in a horrific way. Humans are prisoners, put down on their knees, and with no anestsia, a huge glowing needle goes into the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, to extract the ingredient for this drug.
There is a scene in which the drug is demonstrated. Two human prisoners, a man and a woman are put in a barred cell together. The maniac man attacks the woman, and a vicious fight ensues. The drug is shot into the man, and suddenly, he is gentle, petting the woman on the arm.
I tried to track down this series for a long time, and discoverd that over it's course it went very rapidly downhill in quality. Perhaps memory makes it better than it really was. Thanks for your assistance.......don't really want to plow through that many episodes to find this specific one.
I loved what I saw because it was very dark and dystopian. I vividly recall the actor Denis Forest as the main villain being briliantly cast. If I remember right, the episode begins with actor Adrian Paul walking through a city. There is a long line of the poor and the ragged desperately waiting to come up to a barred window where drugs are being sold. Adrian spots someone he knows, "Mister Jimmy" (joke, Rolling Stones reference by the writers). Mister Jimmy is violently rebuffed because he can't pay for his fix.
The main thrust of the series was a lot of desperate attempts by the sick and resource-poor hiding Martians to gain control. In this particular episode, they are developing a drug. It pacifies the violent, but is harvested in a horrific way. Humans are prisoners, put down on their knees, and with no anestsia, a huge glowing needle goes into the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, to extract the ingredient for this drug.
There is a scene in which the drug is demonstrated. Two human prisoners, a man and a woman are put in a barred cell together. The maniac man attacks the woman, and a vicious fight ensues. The drug is shot into the man, and suddenly, he is gentle, petting the woman on the arm.
I tried to track down this series for a long time, and discoverd that over it's course it went very rapidly downhill in quality. Perhaps memory makes it better than it really was. Thanks for your assistance.......don't really want to plow through that many episodes to find this specific one.
Bad Syndication Sci-Fi
JoeB13124 June 2012
Star Trek opened the door to a lot of good syndication Sci-Fi..
And a few stinkers.
This was one of the stinkers. The plot line is the classic 1953 War of the Worlds movie happened, but the world rebuilt and then forgot it ever happened. No, I mean, seriously, this was the premise.
Further, they took the thousands of dead aliens, put them in toxic waste drums and forgot about them.
Well, a bunch of silly plot devices. Aliens could take over the bodies of real humans, leading to all sorts of depressing plot lines mostly involving otherwise nice people being turned into aliens.
Then if the series wasn't bad enough, they decided to make it worse in Season 2 by turning it into a depressing Cyber-Punk future where a new group of aliens pops in.
Thankfully, it was put out of its misery after two seasons.
And a few stinkers.
This was one of the stinkers. The plot line is the classic 1953 War of the Worlds movie happened, but the world rebuilt and then forgot it ever happened. No, I mean, seriously, this was the premise.
Further, they took the thousands of dead aliens, put them in toxic waste drums and forgot about them.
Well, a bunch of silly plot devices. Aliens could take over the bodies of real humans, leading to all sorts of depressing plot lines mostly involving otherwise nice people being turned into aliens.
Then if the series wasn't bad enough, they decided to make it worse in Season 2 by turning it into a depressing Cyber-Punk future where a new group of aliens pops in.
Thankfully, it was put out of its misery after two seasons.
Love the 1950's movie and Both seasons of this terrific show
kyden-576398 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Season 1 was very good. I Like the cast and such. Then Season 2 which i prefer( guess I'm odd or rare person to say it) , the aliens (Mothri), their tech and all. Their sphere weapons disintegrating, the organic technology. More story of their planet and religion. Sure between season 1 and 2 there is an gap where alot seems to happen not much explained. I had some issues with season 2, just like some with season 1. Just love the series, (S01 & 02) but too short lived.
Year 1
mphsrick433 July 2020
Just too inappropriate to watch...
monstervaccum15 May 2021
A brilliant first season only to be marred by idiot studio execs in season 2...
mistermime30 June 2003
The first season of War of the Worlds was groundbreaking and refreshingly innovative. In many ways, it was the predecessor of shows like "The X-Files". The first season was very much like a game of chess between the Blackwood Project and the aliens- led the triumvirate Advocacy (featuring the underrated actress, Ilse Von Glatz- who was chilling as an Advocate). Towards the end of the season, there was a mythology carefully being built with the introductions of new characters such as the renegade alien/human hybrid- Quinn and the Qar'To Synth, Katara. Also, the show was blessed with creative writing, excellent direction- and casting Ann Robinson as Sylvia Van Buren was a nice coup for the producers.
However, Paramount had plans to assassinate the show and installed Frank Mancuso Jr. as the new executive producer. He obliterated the first season storyline, continuity, most of the characters and killed the show in the process. But to many fans, the only real season of WOTW was 1988-1989.
However, Paramount had plans to assassinate the show and installed Frank Mancuso Jr. as the new executive producer. He obliterated the first season storyline, continuity, most of the characters and killed the show in the process. But to many fans, the only real season of WOTW was 1988-1989.
Unrealistic handling of the aliens
agrellajoe31 May 2021
Orson and H.G. Wells would be proud!
Sylviastel13 October 2006
I loved this series when it was on the air in New Jersey. Back in the 1980s when syndicated or independent programming ruled television on the weekends, now it's all infomercials. Anyway, I loved Ann Robinson who reprised her film role as Sylvia Van Buren. She appeared to be the only person who knew how to deal with the aliens. My favorite moment is when her stepson visited her at the nursing home (it's too nice to be a sanitarium), the old guy approached him and said "It's not safe in here" and he replied "It's not safe out there." The show was really well-written with characters like Van Buren who provided a connection to the original program. I think Orson Welles and H.G. Wells would be proud of this show. It paved the way for shows like the X-Files. I only wished that they made more syndicated programs today.
Aliens Gone Wild!
Aiwaz6926 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The 1953 "War of the Worlds" is one of my all time favorite movies, and the TV series that's inspired from it is one of my favorite shows of all times, too bad it was cut short for it had great potential. In my comment I will cover Season 1 & 2 separately and the DVD set.
Season 1: The series begins about 35 years after the movie where the aliens are resurrected by nuclear waste and set out to conquer the world. Only the Blackwood team, consisting of the free-thinking genius Harrison, the mother/scientist Susan, the tough soldier Ironhorse, and the sometimes funny wheelchair-bound Norton, must stop this from happening. While some of the acting is less than stellar(some of the acting from Harrison is over-dramatized, Drake's could have been better too along with several secondary persons, but Susan and Ironhorse acting was good) and some cheesy 80's culture make an unwanted appearance (some of the bad clothing and irritating music), the series was solid and exciting. By adding the viewpoint of the aliens it made for a more unique and interesting storytelling (some episodes are influenced by other movies like "Alien" "The Thing", and "It's Alive!") that were also well-written, though at times it did lag. All the characters are likable, even, ironically, the aliens themselves. I must note that the some violence is gory, almost R-rated, including melting bodies, eye-gorging, and limb-ripping, though I am hardly complaining on that issue. Like many fans I wished the 2nd Season continued on this pace, however...
Season 2: ***Spoiler begins*** Killing off Drake and Ironhorse was a huge mistake ***Spoiler ends*** Season 1 is practically discarded, with character's personalities altered, a new apocalyptic-"Blade Runner" setting, and even a drastically different alien invaders. The mythology and character set-up from Season 1 no longer exist in Season 2, leading to major conflicting storyline. This was a major complaint from fans, however, if you view it as a separate series, it's still very good. The aliens are giving more familiarity, the new dark world setting is interesting, and the story lines deal with some touchy issues like religion, ecological & urban decay, and the influence of music and movies on the brain. While Season 2 had some fresh ideas, it did bring the whole series on a radical altered path that turn many fans away.
On the DVD set: Season 1 has been released on DVD, which is great, though it could have been a better set. There are no extras and the picture quality is below DVD standards, though it is still very watchable and not as bad quality as some may have you believe. The missing arm animation, which irked many people, is easily forgotten. It's just great to see it out on DVD.
"War of the Worlds" the series was a fantastic short-lived show that may have helped paved way for others like "X-files". It's entertaining delight, so buy Season 1 on DVD as soon as you can!
Season 1: The series begins about 35 years after the movie where the aliens are resurrected by nuclear waste and set out to conquer the world. Only the Blackwood team, consisting of the free-thinking genius Harrison, the mother/scientist Susan, the tough soldier Ironhorse, and the sometimes funny wheelchair-bound Norton, must stop this from happening. While some of the acting is less than stellar(some of the acting from Harrison is over-dramatized, Drake's could have been better too along with several secondary persons, but Susan and Ironhorse acting was good) and some cheesy 80's culture make an unwanted appearance (some of the bad clothing and irritating music), the series was solid and exciting. By adding the viewpoint of the aliens it made for a more unique and interesting storytelling (some episodes are influenced by other movies like "Alien" "The Thing", and "It's Alive!") that were also well-written, though at times it did lag. All the characters are likable, even, ironically, the aliens themselves. I must note that the some violence is gory, almost R-rated, including melting bodies, eye-gorging, and limb-ripping, though I am hardly complaining on that issue. Like many fans I wished the 2nd Season continued on this pace, however...
Season 2: ***Spoiler begins*** Killing off Drake and Ironhorse was a huge mistake ***Spoiler ends*** Season 1 is practically discarded, with character's personalities altered, a new apocalyptic-"Blade Runner" setting, and even a drastically different alien invaders. The mythology and character set-up from Season 1 no longer exist in Season 2, leading to major conflicting storyline. This was a major complaint from fans, however, if you view it as a separate series, it's still very good. The aliens are giving more familiarity, the new dark world setting is interesting, and the story lines deal with some touchy issues like religion, ecological & urban decay, and the influence of music and movies on the brain. While Season 2 had some fresh ideas, it did bring the whole series on a radical altered path that turn many fans away.
On the DVD set: Season 1 has been released on DVD, which is great, though it could have been a better set. There are no extras and the picture quality is below DVD standards, though it is still very watchable and not as bad quality as some may have you believe. The missing arm animation, which irked many people, is easily forgotten. It's just great to see it out on DVD.
"War of the Worlds" the series was a fantastic short-lived show that may have helped paved way for others like "X-files". It's entertaining delight, so buy Season 1 on DVD as soon as you can!
Season 2 on DVD?
juvevk6 July 2009
Does anyone know when Season 2 is coming out on DVD? I already have season 1, but I haven't seen anywhere if they are even considering Season 2 to come out. I loved the movie, not the new one. And when this series came out on TV I was excited and loved it, I knew that the acting left a lot to be desired, but I liked the story and the fact that it was a continuation of the film from the 50's. When Season 2 came out I was disappointed that they killed of Norton and Ironside (I think that was his name), been a while since I've seen Season 1. But after a while, I got into Season 2. I am glad that the studio took the time to at least give the show a final episode. Kinda cheesy, but an official ending non the less.
Fantastic TV series!
keith782123 April 2000
"War of the Worlds: The Series" continues the storyline from the original movie while giving it a new twist, with the Martians, or the "alien invaders" as they are called now, taking over people's bodies to prevent them from succumbing to the bacteria that "killed" them in the original movie. Taking place 35 years after they destroyed Los Angeles and almost took over the world, they are revived after a botched attack at a nuclear waste dump, where their remains were sealed in metal barrels. They awaken, take over the bodies of the terrorists and plan out their second invasion of the world. The series was a bit graphic, but the storylines of the episodes were terrific. The new cast also shines, as a small group willing to fight the aliens before it's too late. Also seen were their war machines with the heat rays, and Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson), the heroine of the original who fell in love with Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry's character). All in all, this series is great and I wish it was back on TV! Sci-fi at it's best!
Alien Syndrome
hellraiser716 December 2014
This is another under the radar gem and is one of the movie tie in TV shows to me that actually work and this show was way it became a common thing; it's not trying to imitate it's predecessor but becoming it's own thing. For one thing it takes place after the 50's film which I think is cool, making this show in a way a sequel. Sure it doesn't exactly surpass the classic 50's film but it's not trying to which to me is a good thing.
I really like the production value, for TV they really did well. From the make up effects of the aliens down to some gore effects which I was surprised they got away with for TV at that time; limbs getting torn off, alien hands coming out, eyes gouged out, aliens melting. But that to me is awesome because it shows this show isn't afraid to take chances. OK, some effects are a bit dated and some aren't up to par but they it was the late 80's and it's television what are you going to do.
I like two of the different into themes which I think are solid because both have their own tone which reflects the season's and personally it's something I which most TV shows would do often change their theme in each season.
I really like both plots for the show which are the basic covert silent invasion plots which to me I like more and I think are a lot more thrilling because you see the aliens initiate intelligence more than just their weapons and tech all the time, which to me I find even more dangerous. Yeah it's does sort of takes it's cues from John Carpenter's "The Thing" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" with the idea of aliens taking on human identities to look and act like us. Yeah nothing really new but everything done right. I'll admit when I saw this show when I was about 8 this show was kinda scary, the idea of aliens that can disguise themselves as us and we would never know if the next person we pass by is one of them; this I'll admit made me a little paranoid for a while.
The characters are solid, few characters stand out I like let alone are both very diverse. Ironhorse is my favorite, he is just awesome, I remember as a kid I wanted to grow up to be as tough as him (and I am for the record). His character is kinda a bad ass from the amount of aliens he wastes and how he does it, my favorite is when he uses a tomahawk to brain one of them. But I like that he has sort of this really dry sort of strange charisma and mannerism.
Norton Drake, His character is great because he's a paraplegic but he isn't helpless. He's sort of like Oricle from the DC Comics, like her what he lacks in his legs he more than makes up for in his intelligence, he is a master at the computer. But also he is capable of kicking serious ass too from his martial arts skills in Arnise Stick Fighting, and we get to see him use it.
Kinkaid, the fact he's played by Adrian Paul makes it all the more cool since I'm a fan of the TV show "Highlander". Also on a side note the actor that plays Norton was also in "Highlander" as well.
The action is solid/decent, you got some good/decent shootouts as well as a few good alien kills. But really this is more a suspense thriller and this show has some really good suspense. From just the sense of paranoia, dark atmosphere, and feeling of dread as the plans of the invaders escalates and the human team isn't getting steps closer to stopping them.
But what really makes this show stand out is that it's really dark because the good guys don't always win which was rare at the time for most shows even alien invasion stories. Sometimes they would have a victory but it would be an incomplete one because sometimes at the end of an episode they discover the aliens have retrieve on crucial piece of the puzzle they need. Which all the more made this group feel human and made you want to win, hopping they'll score a victory or do even better next time; which is a feeling I don't get much and I like that.
The only problem I have is the series really feels uneven. Don't get me wrong I think the fact that you have a new plot line and new aliens to contend with, is a cool idea. Having one every season I felt keeps things fresh and it was something that hasn't really been done for most TV shows at the time. But I just felt that they went with this too soon because we never really had or even hear how the first plot was resolved.
I think killing off two major characters that were my favorites was stupid and an insult. This was really just an excuse just to change up the character dynamic. I'll admit this move indeed alienates even polarizes fans, depending on which season you like more.
I'd love to see a revival of this, may'be make the new series take place after the current Speilburg film "War of the Worlds". I don't know it's just a thought, but with the current movie tie in shows like "Fargo", "From Dusk till Dawn", etc. I see no reason for this to happen, just a thought.
Overall, it's a solid sci-fi series, this is one hidden alien tripod that is worth a ride.
Rating: 3 stars
I really like the production value, for TV they really did well. From the make up effects of the aliens down to some gore effects which I was surprised they got away with for TV at that time; limbs getting torn off, alien hands coming out, eyes gouged out, aliens melting. But that to me is awesome because it shows this show isn't afraid to take chances. OK, some effects are a bit dated and some aren't up to par but they it was the late 80's and it's television what are you going to do.
I like two of the different into themes which I think are solid because both have their own tone which reflects the season's and personally it's something I which most TV shows would do often change their theme in each season.
I really like both plots for the show which are the basic covert silent invasion plots which to me I like more and I think are a lot more thrilling because you see the aliens initiate intelligence more than just their weapons and tech all the time, which to me I find even more dangerous. Yeah it's does sort of takes it's cues from John Carpenter's "The Thing" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" with the idea of aliens taking on human identities to look and act like us. Yeah nothing really new but everything done right. I'll admit when I saw this show when I was about 8 this show was kinda scary, the idea of aliens that can disguise themselves as us and we would never know if the next person we pass by is one of them; this I'll admit made me a little paranoid for a while.
The characters are solid, few characters stand out I like let alone are both very diverse. Ironhorse is my favorite, he is just awesome, I remember as a kid I wanted to grow up to be as tough as him (and I am for the record). His character is kinda a bad ass from the amount of aliens he wastes and how he does it, my favorite is when he uses a tomahawk to brain one of them. But I like that he has sort of this really dry sort of strange charisma and mannerism.
Norton Drake, His character is great because he's a paraplegic but he isn't helpless. He's sort of like Oricle from the DC Comics, like her what he lacks in his legs he more than makes up for in his intelligence, he is a master at the computer. But also he is capable of kicking serious ass too from his martial arts skills in Arnise Stick Fighting, and we get to see him use it.
Kinkaid, the fact he's played by Adrian Paul makes it all the more cool since I'm a fan of the TV show "Highlander". Also on a side note the actor that plays Norton was also in "Highlander" as well.
The action is solid/decent, you got some good/decent shootouts as well as a few good alien kills. But really this is more a suspense thriller and this show has some really good suspense. From just the sense of paranoia, dark atmosphere, and feeling of dread as the plans of the invaders escalates and the human team isn't getting steps closer to stopping them.
But what really makes this show stand out is that it's really dark because the good guys don't always win which was rare at the time for most shows even alien invasion stories. Sometimes they would have a victory but it would be an incomplete one because sometimes at the end of an episode they discover the aliens have retrieve on crucial piece of the puzzle they need. Which all the more made this group feel human and made you want to win, hopping they'll score a victory or do even better next time; which is a feeling I don't get much and I like that.
The only problem I have is the series really feels uneven. Don't get me wrong I think the fact that you have a new plot line and new aliens to contend with, is a cool idea. Having one every season I felt keeps things fresh and it was something that hasn't really been done for most TV shows at the time. But I just felt that they went with this too soon because we never really had or even hear how the first plot was resolved.
I think killing off two major characters that were my favorites was stupid and an insult. This was really just an excuse just to change up the character dynamic. I'll admit this move indeed alienates even polarizes fans, depending on which season you like more.
I'd love to see a revival of this, may'be make the new series take place after the current Speilburg film "War of the Worlds". I don't know it's just a thought, but with the current movie tie in shows like "Fargo", "From Dusk till Dawn", etc. I see no reason for this to happen, just a thought.
Overall, it's a solid sci-fi series, this is one hidden alien tripod that is worth a ride.
Rating: 3 stars
Rating is for first season only
shoobe01-15 August 2022
Truly great SF series, and a precursor to much that was to come. Straight good guys, who work for the least possible shadowy org, with straightforward goals and working for good, then have to deal with bad guys with unknown goals, motivations, and weaknesses (we find them out vs being spoon fed it all). Well plotted, well acted, and delightful amount of goo and gunfire for an alien invasion. Sometimes, often in fact, the good guys do not get to high-five at the end of an episode, but only sorta win (e.g. Stop the aliens but... what were they doing, or the important device/data is destroyed so back to square 1).
Also nicely not a reboot, but literally a sequel of the George Pal 1953 movie. Gives a lot of nice background, no need to go into it all again. Retconn that aliens aren't from Mars, otherwise fine.
The second season is also an interesting precursor, to things like Sharknado. It is a sick joke, destroying the series for... no obvious reason. Maybe the cast got expensive, maybe it's cheaper to film post-apocalypic? Dunno. But do not say it's my tastes: series cancelled before they aired the whole second season it was so bad. So, so bad. Let us never talk of the second season, ever again.
Also nicely not a reboot, but literally a sequel of the George Pal 1953 movie. Gives a lot of nice background, no need to go into it all again. Retconn that aliens aren't from Mars, otherwise fine.
The second season is also an interesting precursor, to things like Sharknado. It is a sick joke, destroying the series for... no obvious reason. Maybe the cast got expensive, maybe it's cheaper to film post-apocalypic? Dunno. But do not say it's my tastes: series cancelled before they aired the whole second season it was so bad. So, so bad. Let us never talk of the second season, ever again.
Great premise, cut short too early
mercuryix27 December 2000
The idea of bringing back the aliens from War of the Worlds is simply great, especially for those who wonder "what if the aliens had attacked us with our technology today, instead of back in the '50s?" The answer is clear; they would STILL kick ass! The heat rays they used are just as unbeatable in the 80s as they were in the 50s, and the idea of the aliens going into hibernation to survive rather than just dying was a great plot device to bring them into the present. The spaceships, sound effects and sfx are lovingly recreated in the series. The show reminds me of Star Trek, in one respect only - both shows had great premise, but given too little backing by the studios that created them. Networks will never learn - if you're going to do a risky new sci-fi series, either back it all the way or don't bother. If the series had been given full support with and heavy advertising, and maintained the intelligence of the stories, this might have gone on for years. As it is, it's definitely worth checking out on the sci-fi channel. Now if there is ever a War of the Worlds/Star Trek crossover, that would definitely be worth seeing...(no matter how silly the idea is.)
Eight stars for effort on this series.
Eight stars for effort on this series.
Who are the aliens?
jeffyoung13 December 2005
Very little is known of the alien invaders from Mortax and the series did not intend to explain much of them. In the original, "War of the Worlds", the aliens originate from Mars. Since Mars is a dead planet and presumably any presence of an indigenous civilization would be noticed from earth, it made sense to change the origin of the aliens to a faraway solar system.
It was a shame that the series did not capitalize on the episode, "Angel of Death". The unexpected, ironic, and somewhat twisted humorous ending would have made for a much more interesting second season had the original plot line been followed. As it was, some viewers, including myself, disliked the second season's post-apocalyptic setting and stopped watching the series.
I present here my own speculative analysis of the aliens from Mortax, for anyone curious enough to read on.
Most likely the inhabitants of Mortax originated from a tightly controlled, rigid, caste-driven society. The upper caste was smug in its superiority over the lower caste classes, even those presumably of a high class, such as scientists. The ruling caste or upper classes which ruled Mortax probably were probably a hereditary class which may or may not have included a military class as a subsidiary upper caste.
At some point in its history, the lower caste classes of Mortax gained political power enough not to overthrow the current ruling caste but enough to gain comparable political parity and most importantly, respect.
As a result of this paradigm shift in Mortax civilization, the upper ruling class now had to address the lower classes with respect. They now called the lower classes, 'comrades'. The lower classes could now address their heretofore upper caste rulers as, 'advocates', not, sir, ma'am, majesty, excellency, highness, lord, mistress, or any other such title conferring superiority over the claimant and inferiority over the one saying it. But it is very clear from the comments of the often frustrated Advocate triumvirate that the bigotry of the upper castes over the lower castes is still very much alive. But now it is politically incorrect to say so in front of them.
Mortax civilization was now unified and moreover, unified in its new, overriding goal, the salvation of its race, civilization, and culture. Unfortunately, the smug racial superiority and bigotry of the upper caste were now subsumed by all of Mortax society. The new inferior class fit only for extinction were the humans of earth. The invasion of earth is an invasion to humans. For Mortaxians, it is a 'colonisation' of a habitable planet regrettably infested with inferior biological sentients called humans whose existence is expendable. The invasion is a fight to the death for all of humanity.
It was a shame that the series did not capitalize on the episode, "Angel of Death". The unexpected, ironic, and somewhat twisted humorous ending would have made for a much more interesting second season had the original plot line been followed. As it was, some viewers, including myself, disliked the second season's post-apocalyptic setting and stopped watching the series.
I present here my own speculative analysis of the aliens from Mortax, for anyone curious enough to read on.
Most likely the inhabitants of Mortax originated from a tightly controlled, rigid, caste-driven society. The upper caste was smug in its superiority over the lower caste classes, even those presumably of a high class, such as scientists. The ruling caste or upper classes which ruled Mortax probably were probably a hereditary class which may or may not have included a military class as a subsidiary upper caste.
At some point in its history, the lower caste classes of Mortax gained political power enough not to overthrow the current ruling caste but enough to gain comparable political parity and most importantly, respect.
As a result of this paradigm shift in Mortax civilization, the upper ruling class now had to address the lower classes with respect. They now called the lower classes, 'comrades'. The lower classes could now address their heretofore upper caste rulers as, 'advocates', not, sir, ma'am, majesty, excellency, highness, lord, mistress, or any other such title conferring superiority over the claimant and inferiority over the one saying it. But it is very clear from the comments of the often frustrated Advocate triumvirate that the bigotry of the upper castes over the lower castes is still very much alive. But now it is politically incorrect to say so in front of them.
Mortax civilization was now unified and moreover, unified in its new, overriding goal, the salvation of its race, civilization, and culture. Unfortunately, the smug racial superiority and bigotry of the upper caste were now subsumed by all of Mortax society. The new inferior class fit only for extinction were the humans of earth. The invasion of earth is an invasion to humans. For Mortaxians, it is a 'colonisation' of a habitable planet regrettably infested with inferior biological sentients called humans whose existence is expendable. The invasion is a fight to the death for all of humanity.
Painfully awesome
alex_i-09 October 2011
First of all. Season 1: 10/10 Season 2: 1/10
This must be the creepiest sci-fi horror show/movie ever. I was 10 years old when I first saw it. Now, 21 years later, I still have nightmares.
The reason may be the complete lack of human emotions within the aliens. No empathy whatsoever for human life. The aliens are portrayed as total different from us - not "almost human/American" like in other sci-fi shows. These ones cannot be reasoned with. You cannot negotiate with them.
Three episodes moved me deeply.
1.Quinn. "no Harrison...you are the alien".
2.The abducted woman. The end scene when Harrison just being to late to rescue her. It gave me an incredible parallel with my own life. Being to late to save the most loved one person in my life.
3.The strong drug. The scene with humans collecting drugs from the floor. Acting as animals.
The only flaw with the show is its low budget. Imagine what it could have been with a modern show's budget.
And one more thing. WOW is no predecessor to "X-files". X-files is a cheesy, unrealistic show with vampires, werewolves, and baseball-loving aliens. YES! Baseball-loving aliens. Give me a break...
WOW is the real deal. With real human emotions. With real characters. With a real nightmare-plot. Great job! GREAT!
This must be the creepiest sci-fi horror show/movie ever. I was 10 years old when I first saw it. Now, 21 years later, I still have nightmares.
The reason may be the complete lack of human emotions within the aliens. No empathy whatsoever for human life. The aliens are portrayed as total different from us - not "almost human/American" like in other sci-fi shows. These ones cannot be reasoned with. You cannot negotiate with them.
Three episodes moved me deeply.
1.Quinn. "no Harrison...you are the alien".
2.The abducted woman. The end scene when Harrison just being to late to rescue her. It gave me an incredible parallel with my own life. Being to late to save the most loved one person in my life.
3.The strong drug. The scene with humans collecting drugs from the floor. Acting as animals.
The only flaw with the show is its low budget. Imagine what it could have been with a modern show's budget.
And one more thing. WOW is no predecessor to "X-files". X-files is a cheesy, unrealistic show with vampires, werewolves, and baseball-loving aliens. YES! Baseball-loving aliens. Give me a break...
WOW is the real deal. With real human emotions. With real characters. With a real nightmare-plot. Great job! GREAT!
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