Dark Skies 

In 1960s America, a young couple struggle to expose the truth about a hidden alien invasion, while a secret government organization follows its own agenda in dealing with the threat.

Creators:

Brent V. Friedman, Bryce Zabel

Stars:

Eric Close, J.T. Walsh, Lackos

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Eric Close	...	John Loengard 19 episodes, 1996-1997
J.T. Walsh	...	Capt. Frank Bach 19 episodes, 1996-1997
Lackos	...	MIB #6 19 episodes, 1996-1997
Megan Ward	...	Kimberly Sayers 19 episodes, 1996-1997
Conor O'Farrell	...	Lt. Commander Phil Albano 17 episodes, 1996-1997
Tim Kelleher	...	Jim Steele 12 episodes, 1996-1997
Charley Lang	...	Dr. Halligan 11 episodes, 1996-1997
Jeri Ryan	...	Juliet Stewart 8 episodes, 1997

Storyline

20th century history as we know it is a lie. Aliens have been among us since the 1940s, but a government cover-up has prevented the public from knowing this. As the series progresses, we follow John Loengard and Kim Sayers as they attempt to thwart numerous plans of the alien Hive, most of which are tied to historical events and figures. In addition, the pair must stay one step ahead of a covert government agency, Majestic-12, tasked with fighting the aliens while maintaining the conspiracy of silence.

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Plot Keywords:

alien | secret government organization | young couple | alien invasion | conspiracy | 

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Taglines:

History as we know it is a lie.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mračna Nebesa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bryce Zabel Productions,Columbia Pictures Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (20 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The series was pitched in a single day to ABC, CBS and NBC. Fox was avoided due to the concept's overt similarities to their hit series "The X-Files." Each network received a classified "briefing book" written by Zabel and Friedman, wrapped in plain brown paper, which warned that by opening the package they accepted the high level clearance it implied and the full penalties set by the U-S government for unauthorized disclosure. By the end of the day, two offers had been made, and the series went to NBC.

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Alternate Versions

The 2-part pilot episode, "The Awakening" (first shown on network TV, NBC - 21 September, 1996), has been made into a single, feature length movie and is now being shown on cable TV under the title "Dark Skies" (1996).

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Connections

Referenced in For the Love of...: Lunar Conspiracy (1997)

User Reviews

Very likable show that was very underrated

Although this was a very likable show, it was very underrated as many people dismissed this show as another imitation of The X Files therefore it was going to be very hard to compete against a superior show with a larger fan base. Although Dark Skies didn't attract a bigger audience at the time on TV, it's good to see it does have its fans out there over 18 years later.

Set in the 1960's, John Loengard (Eric Close) and Kimberly Sayers (Megan Ward) are a young couple on the run from the U.S. Government who work to uncover the truth about an alien invasion that planned to invade Earth through a manipulation of historical events and famous figures. As well as the alien invasion, a secret government organisation named Majestic 12 led by Captain Frank Bach (the late J.T. Walsh) has its own agenda in dealing with the threat. I enjoyed the fact the show featured famous people such as Jim Morrison, The Beatles, Ed Sullivan, Robert Kennedy, J. Edgar Hoover, Marilyn Monroe and President Harry S. Truman.

I first saw this as a 13 year old when it first aired on Australian TV in 1997 and it has me hooked and very intrigued. I was disappointed when the TV show was later cancelled after one season due to low ratings as I would have liked to have seen the show continue on as it did have a lot going for it.

8/10