Falling Skies (season 4)

Falling Skies Season 4

Promotional image
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 12
Broadcast
Original channel TNT
Original run June 22 – August 31, 2014

Falling Skies was renewed for a fourth season, which aired from June 22 to August 31, 2014.[1] The season consists of twelve episodes instead of the usual ten.[2] On July 18, 2014, TNT renewed the show for a fifth and final season.[3]

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Episodes

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(million)
311"Ghost in the Machine"Greg BeemanDavid EickJune 22, 20143.67[4]
The 2nd Mass arrive back in Charleston after 23 days of travel, but their celebrations are cut short when the Espheni attack. When the Espheni deploy mechs and a new weapon that creates impenetrable fences of energy between metal obelisks against the group, the 2nd Mass is split apart. 4 months later, and now in solitary confinement at an Espheni ghetto, Tom uses the opportunity to escape confinement whenever possible to gather intelligence on the camp and the skitter locations. At an Espheni re education camp, Matt is tasked with assuring the other children in his group comply with the rules. Ben meanwhile awakens in Chinatown and is immediately suspicious of his surroundings, although Maggie assures him that the place is safe and untouched by the Espheni, he then later meets a now grown up Lexi. Anne meanwhile leads the 2nd Mass survivors on an attack against an Espheni weapons shipment, but is surprised to find children inside the truck. When she learns that the children know nothing of Lexi, she decides to travel in the assumed direction of truck. Back at the ghetto, Hal clashes with Pope over a generator required in his escape plan. Tom meanwhile meets Cochise and learns that the Volm have left the Earth, leaving behind small recon teams, and that the Espheni have similar ghettos across the planet. Believing humanity to be facing extinction, Cochise offers Tom words of support, and Tom requests that he try and find Anne, Ben, Matt and Lexi, to which he agrees. Meanwhile aboard an Espheni ship over the ghetto, an Overlord sends a message demanding that the vigilante be handed over, or the ghettos residents will be killed.
322"The Eye"Sergio Mimica-GezzanCarol BarbeeJune 29, 20142.96[5]
When Tom and Weaver are released from solitary confinement, an Espheni Overlord, speaking through a harnessed child informs the residents that the food supply will be ceased until the vigilante is handed over. Meanwhile Anne and the 2nd Mass capture a skitter and learn that the Espheni plan to use the captured children as hybrids. At Chinatown, Ben learns from Dr Kadar that Lexi may be dying, and that Lourdes had prevented him from helping her. Concerned about her well being, Ben voices his concerns to Lexi and convinces her to meet him. Back at the ghetto, Tom and Hal meet with Dingaan Bootha, who informs them that he had escaped from an Espheni ghetto before, and tells them that he had created a Faraday suit to scale the fence, and a working radio. When Tom decides to use the radio to contact Cochise, he learns that the Espheni power source is offensive in nature, and that they had found Matts location. Dressed as the vigilante, Tom surrenders himself to the Overlord and is taken aboard the ship. While there the Overlord tells him of their plan for humanity and about what they had done to the rebel skitters. Faced with an ultimatum from the Overlord to save his family, Tom takes advantage of the ensuing chaos when the ghettos residents launch projectiles against the ship, and examines the ghetto layout and power source before being released. Meanwhile, Ben and Maggie bond over Lexi, and Tom informs Weaver that he had made a deal with the Overlord. Later that night, Ben discovers a distraught Lexi talking with an Overlord.
333"Exodus"Mikael SalomonJosh PateJuly 6, 20142.75[6]
Tom makes the decision to put his escape plan into action when he learns that the Espheni plan to turn humanity into Skitters. He then gathers Hal, Pope, Weaver, and Dingaan and Tector and explains that while Dingaan scales the fence in the Faraday suit, he will draw the skitters away. Hal meanwhile is tasked with leading the ghetto residents into the tunnels, and Pope and Weaver are told to cover Dingaan. The next day, Tom meets with an Overlord and an harnessed child, when he tells them that the deal they had is off, he attacks the Overlord with a flamethrower and draws the Skitters away. Dingaan meanwhile is injured, which forces Pope to wear the Faraday Suit and scale the fence to destroy the tether with the charge. Hal waits with the ghetto residents in the tunnel and is forced to defend them from incoming skitters, and Tom meanwhile draws the chasing skitters into a building covered with explosives. When Tom notices that Pope is successful in destroying the tether, he detonates the explosives and jumps into the water in triumph. Anne meanwhile collapses and dreams that she is onboard an Espheni ship while heavily pregnant, when she notices Karen and an Overlord affecting her unborn child, she despairs. At the re-education camp, Matt puts himself in danger when he covers for Mira, and is taken away by Kent Matthews. In Chinatown Maggie confronts Lexi after learning from Ben that she was talking with an Overlord, and is told that she believes it wants peace. Later that day, Anne awakens and leads the 2nd Mass to Chinatown, and reunites with Ben, Lexi and Lourdes to her delight. That night, Tom reunites with Hal, Pope and Weaver and thanks Pope for his help with the escape.
344"Evolve or Die"Bill EaglesM. Raven MetznerJuly 13, 20142.78[7]
Tom and the 2nd Mass survivors arrive at the Volm hideout and are immediately met by Cochise, who introduces his second in command Shaq. When Cochise explains that they have Matts location with the help of recon drones, Tom departs along with Weaver and Cochise leaving Hal behind in charge with orders to gather ammunition and supplies. When Hal orders that the group stay within the perimeter, Pope disobeys and leaves in a pickup truck to get the fuel. Meanwhile Tom is forced to leave Cochise behind when he is attacked by a mutated Jeanne and enters the reeducation camp along with Weaver. While inside Tom and Weaver immediately separate when the children raise the alarm, and with the help of Mira, Tom rescues Matt who is attacked by Kent Matthews. At the farm, Pope is confronted by Sara when he finds the fuel and nonchalantly agrees to have a beer with her, which is drugged. That night, Pope awakens and is forced to work with Sara to repel the Espheni mechs. When Mira distracts the skitter guards, Tom escapes along with Matt and promises to come back for them. Weaver is faced with a mutated Jeanne who dies trying to protect him and despairs. When Pope and Sara return to the warehouse, Hal confronts him, but is forced to break camp when news of a forthcoming Espheni attack breaks, leaving behind a coded message for his father. Anne, along with the 2nd Mass confront an Overlord speaking through Ben, who tells them he believes humanity can live in peace with the Espheni. They however are forced to back down when Lexi awakens her powers to protect the Overlord. Shortly afterwards, an emotional Weaver reunites with Tom, Matt and Cochise and explains what had happened to Jeanne.
355"Mind Wars"Nathaniel GoodmanBruce Marshall RomansJuly 20, 20142.79[8]
Tom returns to the Volm hideout along with Matt, Weaver and Cochise and discovers a message left behind by Hal telling him where the group are headed. Meanwhile, Anne is confronted by Lexi when she learns that she had questioned the Overlord and collapses when she uses her powers. When Tom discovers a campsite occupied by two men who introduce themselves as Nick and Cooper, he is suspicious of their story and voices his concerns to Weaver. That night, Tom is abducted by the men who reveal to him that the Espheni have a high price on his head, and that they had killed Weaver and Matt. The next day, Weaver and Matt are able to track down the men and watch on as Tom is tied up. Tom attempts to reason with Cooper and tells him about Matt and that he believes him to be a father, to which he responds that he had two sons who are now dead. Realizing that Nick was responsible for the death of his sons, Cooper shoots him dead and turns his gun on Tom, but is shot by Weaver. As Lexis' health worsens, Anne forces the Overlord to help her save Lexi and learns of a flower that calms her fever. That night, Lourdes frees the Overlord and Lexi tells Anne that it's her father.
366"Door Number Three"Jonathan FrakesMelissa GlennJuly 27, 20142.65[9]
Tom reunites with his family in Chinatown and learns that Lexi is now in a cocoon. Concerned for Lexi, Anne wants to cut her out but is stopped by Tom who warns her against acting rashly. With Dr. Kadars help, Anne decides to recall repressed memories to remember anything that may be able to help Lexi, but she is faced with painful memories of her son. Meanwhile, Maggie holds a gathering of 2nd Mass members and voices her concerns about Lexi and her powers, Tom however overhears Pope suggesting that they kill her and warns them against acting. Pope tells Tom that he believes that there is a conflict of interest going on. As he leaves, Hal tells Tom that he believes they have valid concerns about Lexi but he doesn't listen. Believing that he may have to use force to protect Lexi, Tom discusses the situation with Lourdes. That night, Shaq tells Hal that his recon team are retreating to a safe distance because of their concerns over Lexi. Hearing this, Pope leads an armed group towards Tom and demands access to Lexi, Tom holds firm and is able to defuse the situation. Still in a dream state, Anne meets with Lexi who shows her a childhood memory, and tells her how she choose her at the Espheni tower over Karen, and then helps her awaken. Anne immediately rushes to Lexis' side and touches the cocoon. Lexis' eyes then open.
377"Saturday Night Massacre"Olatunde OsunsanmiDavid Weddle & Bradley ThompsonAugust 3, 20142.73[10]
Lexi emerges from her cocoon and reveals to her family that she's leaving Chinatown because of her doubts about human nature. Met by Lourdes who begs her to stay, Lexi kills her through pity and leaves. The 2nd Mass are faced with news that a large Espheni force led by the scorched Overlord is gathered outside of Chinatown. Tom tells the 2nd Mass that he believes they haven't attacked with Beamers because it's personal, and then tasks them with laying traps around the area and to prepare for a ground assault. That night, Maggie uses thermite to destroy some mechs, but they are faced with tragedy when a gas explosion from a ruptured gas line kills most of the 2nd Mass. With Chinatown in ruin, Tom orders the 2nd Mass survivors to evacuate to an underground bomb shelter, and tells them that the attack won't end until the Espheni believe they are dead. Tom decides to search for any remaining members and meets up with Anne and learns that Dr. Kadar had been critically injured by a shrapnel wound and is distraught when he dies. Angered by the Scorched Overlord, Tom asks Tector for his gun but is tricked into leaving. Tector decides to dress as the Ghost and attacks the Overlord, and then blows himself up. The 2nd Mass wait anxiously underground, and Tom awakens under the rubble.
388"A Thing with Feathers"David SolomonRyan MottesheardAugust 10, 20142.51[11]
The 2nd Mass emerge from the underground shelter and search for survivors, during the search Hal discovers Maggie who is seriously injured and learns from Anne that she may be paralyzed. Meanwhile, Tom rescues Dingaan from under the rubble and together they discover a crashed Beamer and board it. When Dennys spike fluid has no effect on Maggies condition, Ben suggests to Anne that she implant some of his spikes into Maggie. Although concerned for both Ben and Maggie, Anne uses Volm technology to implant some of Bens spikes into Maggie, and is successful in treating her. Inside the Beamer, Tom and Dingaan are forced to take cover when they trigger a missile, and are rescued when the explosion draws the 2nd Mass to their location. That night, the 2nd Mass gather around a camp fire and mourn the loss of Tector and Lourdes. When the Beamer unexplainably activates, Tom and Hal notice a strange light on the moon.
399"Till Death Do Us Part"Greg BeemanCarol BarbeeAugust 17, 20142.46[12]
Tom decides to lead a small team consisting of himself, Anne, Matt, Weaver and Cochise to a Volm supply cache after learning the location from Cochise, believing that it may hold something of use to help unearth the buried Beamer. When they arrive, Mira tells them that she had escaped from the Espheni camp and that she had waited for someone to appear. Tom is suspicious, believing it to be too convenient that she had appeared near to a Volm supply cache and decides to tie her up. As the area is toxic to breath, they wear gas masks and begin to unearth the weapons. Mira however attempts to appeal to Matt telling him that she's okay and that the rope is hurting her arms. Feeling sorry for her, Matt decides to untie her but when she blows a whistle that can alert Beamers to her location, he chases after her and brings her to Tom and tells him what she had done. But before they can react Kent Matthews appears and attacks the group, Mira uses the opportunity to escape once again and is followed by Matt. Anne immediately comes to Toms aid and distracts Kent Matthews, to buy Tom the time to shoot him dead. Meanwhile Matt is rescued by Weaver and Cochise when he is incapacitated by some of the camps children. With the group reunited, they decide to return back to Chinatown.
4010"Drawing Straws"Adam KaneJosh PateAugust 24, 20142.56[13]
Tom is faced with uncertainty when the 2nd Mass demand that he offer them a vote on who should pilot the Beamer on the mission to the moon. Tom is initially against the idea as he believes that he should be involved, Anne however convinces him to allow anyone to place their name in contention for the role. That night, with the 2nd Mass gathered Tom draws Bens name, and his own. Anne however believes he had rigged the draw, which Tom admits stating that he couldn't let Ben go without him. The next day, the 2nd Mass are attacked by Beamers but are saved by Lexi who destroys them with her ability.
4111"Space Oddity"Olatunde OsunsanmiM. Raven MetznerAugust 31, 20142.39[14]
The 2nd Mass struggle with Lexis presence in the area, believing it may be a trap. Tom does not want anything more to do with her and asks her to leave, but Anne tells him to give her a chance. Lexi tells Anne that she's sorry and admits that she was wrong about the Espheni and that she wants to make up for her mistakes. She then offers to join Tom on the mission to which Anne initially refuses but is convinced by Weaver to allow her. Faced with mistrust from all sides, Lexi joins Tom on the Beamer and unbeknownst to her, Hal gives Tom a poison to use on her just in case. As the Beamer leaves the Earths atmosphere Lexi and Tom realize that there isn't enough power to maintain life support both ways, Lexi suggests that she and Tom enter a cocoon together and tells him that it's a form of stasis. During the dream, Tom is back on Earth and seemingly the power core is destroyed and the Espheni are on the back foot, however he becomes suspicious when things are too perfect and quickly realizes that what he is seeing is not real. He then demands that Lexi release him from the dream, however she is unsure how. As they have a father daughter moment and bond over what issues they had, they try once again and awaken and notice that they're close to the moon.
4212"Shoot the Moon"Greg BeemanDavid EickAugust 31, 20142.43[14]
Shortly after Tom and Lexi's departure, the 2nd Mass spreads their forces thinly to defend their territory. However when Dingaan's squadron are taken down by surprise, a Beamer drops a container on the 2nd Mass containing newly developed Harnesses which are able to Skitterize humans upon contact without the need for a factory. Meanwhile as Tom and Lexi make their approach to the Moon, their payload becomes ruptured due to the hull leak. When the Espheni power core finally comes into view however, their Beamer is captured by the burnt Overlord. After a skirmish, Tom manages to inject the Volm poison into the Overlord-killing him, but not before the Overlord destroys his ship's autopilot. Seeing no other alternative to destroy the power core, Lexi opts to manually pilot the Espheni ship on a collision course with the core. Meanwhile, the 2nd Mass puts up a valiant yet hopeless fight against the Harnesses. At the same time, after Tom and Lexi say their goodbyes, they are ambushed by a squadron of Beamers. However the Volm battleship arrives and takes the Beamers out, giving Lexi the opportunity to finally destroy the power core. The resulting explosion subsequently knocks Tom's Beamer into deep space while back on Earth, the Harnesses and all Espheni technology lose their power. The next morning, the 2nd Mass regroups and Cochise brings them the news of the success of the mission but that Tom may be lost to the depths of space. Despite this, Hal rallies the 2nd Mass to finally go on the offensive against the Espheni. Elsewhere, Tom awakens in a room aboard another spaceship and encounters a new alien who he seems to be acquainted with.

Production

Development

Falling Skies was renewed for a fourth season, which premiered June 22, 2014.[1] The season consists of twelve episodes instead of the usual ten.[2]

Casting

It was reported that Academy Award winning actress Mira Sorvino will appear in a major recurring role as a character named Sara. Sara is described as, "a woman far removed from her former life as a graphic designer who is now dogged by death at every turn, yet she has never felt more alive, free or fearless. A chance encounter with guerrilla fighter John Pope (Colin Cunningham) leads her to join the resistance and develop a strong personal bond with the outlaw-turned-warrior."[15] Harry Potter alum Scarlett Byrne who played Pansy Parkinson was also cast in the role of Alexis "Lexi" Glass-Mason as a new series regular.[16]

Reception

Ratings

Episode number Title Original air date Ratings share
(Adults 18–49)		 Viewers
(in millions)		 Rank per week
on Cable
1 "Ghost in the Machine" June 22, 2014 1.0 3.67[4] #6[4]
2 "The Eye" June 29, 2014 0.8 2.96[5] #11[5]
3 "Exodus" July 6, 2014 0.8 2.75[6] #12[6]
4 "Evolve or Die" July 13, 2014 0.8 2.78[7] #12[7]
5 "Mind Wars" July 20, 2014 0.8 2.79[8] N/A
6 "Door Number Three" July 27, 2014 0.7 2.65[9] N/A
7 "Saturday Night Massacre" August 3, 2014 0.7 2.73[10] N/A
8 "A Thing With Feathers" August 10, 2014 0.6 2.51[11] N/A
9 "Till Death Do Us Part" August 17, 2014 0.7 2.46[12] N/A
10 "Drawing Straws" August 24, 2014 0.7 2.56[13] N/A
11 "Space Oddity" August 31, 2014 0.5 2.39[14] N/A
12 "Shoot the Moon" August 31, 2014 0.5 2.43[14] N/A

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kondolojy, Amanda (July 2, 2013). "'Falling Skies' Renewed for Fourth Season by TNT". Zap2it. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gonzalez, Sandra (July 25, 2013). "'Supernatural,' 'Suits,' 'Covert Affairs,' 'Blue Bloods': Find out what's next in Spoiler Room". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  3. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 18, 2014). "'The Last Ship', 'Major Crimes' & 'Falling Skies' Renewed by TNT". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Sunday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: World Cup Soccer Overshadows the Competition". The Futon Critic. June 24, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Sunday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "BET Awards" Claims Top Spots". The Futon Critic. July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Sunday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Unforgettable," "Big Brother" Win Originals Race". The Futon Critic. July 9, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Sunday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Big Brother" Tops Viewers, Demos". The Futon Critic. July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bibel, Sara (July 22, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'True Blood' Wins Night, 'The Last Ship', 'The Strain', 'Witches of East End', 'Ray Donovan' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kondolojy, Amanda (July 29, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'True Blood' Leads Night + NASCAR, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'The Last Ship', 'The Strain' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bibel, Sara (August 5, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'True Blood' Wins Night, 'The Strain', 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians', 'The Last Ship', 'The Leftovers', 'Falling Skies' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kondolojy, Amanda (August 12, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine' Tops Night + 'True Blood', 'Air Jaws', NASCAR & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Bibel, Sara (August 19, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'True Blood' Wins Night, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'The Strain', 'The Last Ship', 'The Leftovers' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Kondolojy, Amanda (August 26, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Video Music Awards' Tops Night + 'True Blood', 'The Strain', 'The Last Ship' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Bibel, Sara (September 3, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' Wins Night, NASCAR, 'The Strain', 'Falling Skies', 'Ray Donovan' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  15. ↑ Cornet, Roth. "Mira Sorvino Joins the Cast of TNT's Falling Skies". IGN. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  16. ↑ Sydney Bucksbaum (30 October 2013). "'Falling Skies' Season 4 casts 'Harry Potter' alum Scarlett Byrne for a mysterious role - Zap2it - News & Features". Zap2it. Retrieved 29 December 2014.

External links