Invasion 1.19: "The Son Also Rises"

Written by Michael Alaimo and Shaun Cassidy
Directed by Lawrence Trilling


Due to some unforeseen circumstances and interference from some other projects, I was unable to see this episode until late into the weekend. Even so, it took me a little bit of time to absorb the full impact. Anyone who once complained that the series was moving too slow or gazing at its own navel clearly hasn’t been paying attention. The latter half of the season has been a primer on how to quickly yet methodically ratchet up the tension and deliver on a premise.

The fact is, the quiet beginning was absolutely necessary; without it, the current insanity wouldn’t pack so much punch. Only a month or so has passed since Hurricane Eve, and another storm is approaching. It’s all rather obvious metaphor, but it works on a visceral level. It’s the reason why so many authors use weather (and thunderstorms in particular) to denote some massive conflict about to break wide open.

And that’s exactly what is happening as “Invasion” races towards the end of the season. The battle lines have been forming for a very long time, but now the situation has transformed. It’s not about preparation; it’s about scouting out the weaknesses of the enemy on the eve of the attack. This little patch of the world is the battleground between two species vying for survival. Considering that humanity hasn’t seen any real competition beyond itself in tens of thousands of years, there’s every reason to worry.

Nearly everyone is being pushed to the breaking point. Even the hybrids (nice that everyone calls them that!) are acting on some instinctual level. Perhaps there is some kind of shared subconscious involved, driving them to prepare for survival, ensuring that the resources available are horded for their own use. In fact, as things are playing out, it seems like the next stage of the invasion is organized so that the next hurricane will allow for more hybrids and total control over the survival of the remaining human population.

Jesse takes an ugly direction in this episode, yet it is a necessary one. It highlights something that would and should be happening: the “weaker” species would act out in violent ways in frustration. Humans are quickly becoming second-class citizens, and that leads to reprisal. In many ways, Jesse and Kira represent two common reactions to an invading force: resistance and acceptance. (The military, to a certain extent, represents collaboration.)

In terms of the family metaphor, Russell and Underlay find themselves as strange bedfellows, trying to get both sides to co-exist, despite their polarizing differences. As I had suspected, Mariel continues to be the axis around which everyone else dances. Even the reactions to the larger threat are reflected in the uncertainty surrounding Mariel and her psychology. Even as the season drives towards resolution (hopefully not the series!), the metaphor remains intact. That’s quite impressive!

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10