Falling Skies

Falling Skies begins in the immediate aftermath of an alien onslaught that shatters society and forces survivors out of cities and into the countryside. Six months after the initial attack, small bands of civilians and former soldiers have organized into loosely linked resistance cells. The narrative centers on Tom Mason, a former history professor who must protect his children while helping train and lead citizen fighters against a technologically superior occupier. Episodes mix tense skirmishes, supply shortages, and personal sacrifices as the group tries to hold territory, rescue captives, and keep their humanity intact while planning ways to strike back.

The series premiered on TNT in 2011, created by Robert Rodat, and was executive produced by Steven Spielberg. It stars Noah Wyle as Tom Mason, with Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, and Connor Jessup among the principal cast, and it unfolded across multiple seasons as a serialized action drama.

It didn’t sweep major industry awards, but the show found recognition within sci-fi communities and kept steady ratings that justified its multi-season run. Fans supported the characters strongly, and the series sustained enough attention to remain a staple of genre TV discussion during its broadcast.

Viewer scores average around 7.1 out of 10 based on audience polling, reflecting generally favorable opinion. Reviewers often praised the show’s focus on family bonds, leadership under pressure, and practical guerrilla tactics against an occupying force, while noting occasional uneven pacing and plot stretches. Themes include the costs of resistance, ethical choices in wartime, and how ordinary people adapt when systems collapse.

Culturally, Falling Skies reinforced the appeal of post-apocalyptic stories that emphasize civilian resistance and family dynamics over lone-hero survival. It spurred active online fan communities debating tactics and character choices, and its grounded portrayal of a reluctant leader who becomes central to a broader fight left a memorable impression on genre viewers.