Prayer: An Alien Affair

It's hard to find a show on tv these days that present a positive view of religion and prayer--except of course for the feel-good Islam-isn't-all-bad story.  (We get it, but what about our Judeo-Christian traditions in America?)

Enter: Falling Skies, the new TNT drama about the human struggle to survive and fight back after an alien invasion.  It stars Noah Wyle as a history professor and father turned resistance leader (and second-in-command, no less) of a group of civilians and soldiers.  The series deals not only with the goal of taking back Earth from the skittering alien invaders, but with how to deal with the loss of loved ones and the turmoil of an apocalypse.  The series also stars Moon Bloodgood as Anne, a pediatrician turned head doctor.  She provides a lot of emotional stability for the other character's-- especially for Wyle's Tom Mason who is dealing with the death of his wife and the fact his middle son is a prisoner/slave to the aliens.

What really stands out is the addition of Seychelle Gabriel as Lourdes, a young woman who through all of the death and destruction has held onto her faith and carries a sense of optimism that often surprises her fellow survivors.  In the episode "Grace", several others join her in a prayer of thanks for all that do have.  Others around them prayed quietly as well.  It was a moment they all clearly needed.

I was impressed with the fact she wasn't trying to 'force' her faith on anyone.  She was just being herself, explained how prayer has helped her and invited others to join her.  This welcoming expression of religion is lacking in film and tv.

TNT also had the series Saving Grace that had strong religious themes, although they cancelled it.  The only really potent example on television now that portrays Christianity in a positive light and in a substantive way would be Blue Bloods on CBS.  Seeing the family together each week around the dinner table, laughing, discussing life and praying is a shining light through the dark culture of Gaga and Showtime's Gigolos.

The family drama aspect is not lacking in 'Skies' either.  Hal, played by Drew Roy is Tom's oldest son and at 16 he is now a soldier.  The chemistry between father and son is perfect.  Hal has had to grow up fast, but he's still a kid and always his dad's son--first and foremost.  You can tell Tom wants to protect all of his sons but it's a new world...

Science fiction has been open to religion in the past, albeit alien faith, with shows like Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica (2003) all enriching their stories with different types of faith.

Falling Skies has allowed a more natural diversity of characters to emerge, since religious people rarely fill our screens.  Thankfully, TNT has ordered a second season of this engaging, new sci fi drama.  I'd say our prayers have been answered, but that would be corny.