Mikes Film Talk

In last week’s episode of Falling Skies Sara died a horrific death when Tom Mason opted to “swing by” to help her after the main mission. John Pope was beside himself with grief and this week in Pope Breaks Bad sadness has been replaced by rage and recrimination. John does not have to wait long to find an ally in his anti-Tom Mason stance, PTSD sufferer Anthony, who was made to stand down and turn in his weapons last week, readily joins the “we hate Mason” campaign.

At the beginning of the episode John is leaning over a shrine that he has erected. It is setting at the spot where Sara died and the monument has her name scratched on the base. Tom shows up and stands back from the area. He tells Pope that he could have had help setting up the statue and that others wanted to say goodbye to Sara. Mason says a number of things meant to comfort John who does not reply. He looks away from Mason with a look of rage and loathing on his face.

Back at camp John angrily berates Mason for his decision to leave Sara until after the mission. He breaks a shovel in half and throws the pieces in a burning barrel. “Say goodbye to this,” he says and then states that Sara meant no more to Tom than the broken tool.

Cochise, reveals to Mason, Weaver and the rest that his “life span has concluded.” The Volm has called his father to share a “silence,” which is their custom. Anne Glass is horrified, as is Weaver. They find out that his version of a kidney, he has only one, is giving out and Anne explains about organ transplants in an effort to save the alien.

Tom asks Ryan to join his group who head to a police station to recon for gasoline and weapons. Weaver has explained that the 2nd Mass will not go very far without extra fuel or vehicles, hence the trip. The youngster grabs his weapon and they all head out.

John begins working to recruit a faction of the militia to join his “Hate Mason” crusade. Anthony complains to John about having his weapon taken away and Pope gives him a pistol. As John continues to connect with others who feel that Tom Mason has killed too many people in his role as leader, the subplot of the Volm and his dilemma continues.

Cochise meets with his father for their shared silence and he tells him of the transplant operation suggested by Glass. After an initial argument, the general agrees to the procedure and insists that Anne do it as the Volm do not have doctors.

Mason, Weaver, Matt and Dingaan Botha arrive at the police station and find a group of vehicles that appear to be in operating order. Matt finds radios and cans of mace. Weaver finds an immaculate muscle car and is overjoyed. They also find a short wave radio and make contact with an English woman outside Bolivia, “It’s the Queen,” says Botha. Ryan discovers the same flesh eating bugs that killed Sara and the lad is consumed in seconds.

Tom is chased by the flying insects and just as it looks like he will be joining Sara and Ryan, he remembers that they have human eyes. He sprays the mace disabling the creatures and escapes.

Anne performs the surgery and Cochise reacts well to the transplant, his father is not so fortunate and the general dies after donating one of his “kidneys.” She heads out to get a car battery from a vehicle to restart the general’s heart and she choses Weaver’s muscle car battery. The men have returned from their weapons and petrol run.

As she collects jumper cables, and Weaver calls for wrenches to remove the battery, Pope very loudly questions Tom about why Ryan is not there. He then begins a tirade against Mason for killing yet another member of the 2nd Mass. Anne removes the battery and heads back to revive Cochise’s father. Pope continues his attack on Mason and then zeroes in on Tom’s deceased daughter Lexi. Mason finally confronts the man. Cocking his pistol, he shoves the weapon in John’s hand, with the barrel placed on his own forehead and tells the Pope to shoot him.

He refuses and walks away. Tom banishes John from the 2nd Mass and tells him not to return, he is no longer part of the battle or the war. Pope leaves but the word is that this is far from over.

The general cannot be revived and Anne offers to undergo the “silence” that Cochise never had with his father. He agrees and as the two undertake the ceremony, Cochise sees the general and Anne sees Lexi, each interact with their “vision.” This takes place in complete silence and is an emotional experience for both Glass and Cochise. Once it ends, Anne whispers, “I’ll be damned.” She and the Volm then talk of grief and he states that he feels relived of a burden he did not know he carried.

Anthony approaches Anne and asks to speak privately with her. He leads her into a room where Pope is waiting. He has shaved off his long hair and it is clear he intends to kill her to punish Tom. Glass talks him out of it and she pushes her way past a disappointed Anthony to warn Mason that Pope has become dangerous.

Mason has another vision, Rebecca telling him that things are coming to a head with the alien threat and Tom angrily asks to speak to the Dorniya directly. He says he does not need his dead wife to talk to them any longer. As he struggles to learn what they want, Rebecca asks where Hal is. This warns Tom that his son has been taken by Pope.

Mason goes to save his son and Weaver tells him to be careful. The captain tells him that the war has changed people, Tom says he knows that Pope has changed. “I was talking about you,” says Weaver. John Pope takes the bag off of Hal’s head and tells Mason’s son that he will not kill him. Instead, he says, Mason will die when he comes to rescue his son.

All the actors this week rocked it in terms of performance. Colin Cunningham was brilliant in his tortured rage and overflowing pathos, not to mention the overwhelming hatred his character reveals for Tom Mason. Moon Bloodgood, as Anne worked equally well in her part which had a lovely touch of comedy. Noah Wyle, as usual, trudges that fine line between angst and single-minded devotion in defeating the enemy at any cost.

Kudos to Doug Jones as Cochise. In his scenes this week, he managed to provoke many emotions. His scenes with the general ran from rebellious young son to tortured adult. The entire subplot of his potential demise was handled very well and the whole thing was incredibly touching.

Falling Skies airs Sundays on TNT and the series is marching toward that final battle. This final season is simply unmissable.