We probably don't have to tell you this, but the much-marketed re-envisioning of V debuts Tuesday night on ABC. Twenty-five years ago, the original V miniseries was a landmark television event... after all, it was the first time we saw a sexy alien eat a guinea pig on the small screen.
In anticipation of what will likely be November's biggest debut, TV.com hopped on a plane to Vancouver, where the show is shot, for a set visit and chats with several key cast members (look for videos to appear on the site over the next week). As excited as viewers are for V, it's hard to top the antsy-ness of the cast members—they're downright giddy to get this show on the air for all to see, and with good reason. This is big-budget alien-invading television, so who in their right mind wouldn't want to watch?
Though the notion of alien-ass-kicking (if they do, in fact, have asses) is enough to sell the show on its own, there's more to the program than lizard-like enemies and star Morena Baccarin's gorgeous face. Every cast member we spoke with downplayed the slick CGI and expressed what they think is the heart of V.
"Yeah we have great special effects, we have spaceships and that element, but it's really about the relationships," Baccarin told us. "There's more character stuff, it's about how [the aliens and the humans] relate."
And Baccarin, the former Firefly player who is destined to breakout as a major star as soon as the V pilot airs, should know a thing or two about that particular developing relationship. She plays Anna, the alien queen who asks for help from Earthlings in exchange for advanced technology and the promise of—ahem—flawless universal health care.
While most humans celebrate the extremely close encounter, a few are weary of the "Visitors" and... well, let's just say they go all Marc Singer (the star of the original) on them.
Heading up the human resistance this time around is Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell, who plays an FBI agent who specializes in anti-terrorism. The writers aren't trying to ignore the similarities between aliens that look like us and the thought of sleeper cells operating in the real-world. This is post-9/11 V (as the cast repeatedly reminded us), so don't expect another Independence Day; there will be no immolation of The White House. Instead, this will be a tactical battle that operates much like the current War on Terror, minus the forced occupations: with cloak-and-dagger operatives, media manipulation, and fear-mongering.
But for those of you more excited about seeing spaceships in action, don't worry. The Vancouver set houses what is allegedly the biggest greenscreen north of the border, and trust me, it's HUGE. All of the ship scenes are filmed in this sea of pastel green, which allows the effects wizards to drop in CG backgrounds at any angle, shape, or size. They tell us this is one of the most intense special-effects television projects to date, and looking at the snaking cables and specially coded place markers, who are we to doubt them? Even early cuts of the pilot looked impressive, and V should pop in HD.
ABC screened the pilot at July's Comic-Con, and at the time we had lukewarm feelings about it. But there have been changes to the episode, and given the unexpected twists and turns that cast members promised us last week, we'll have all eyes on V.
V premieres Tuesday, November 3 at 8pm on ABC.
Comments (21)
i just think that much was revealed at the pilot, but lets keep following to see what comes next!
I LOVED IT. I AM A FAN OF THE ORIGINAL , BUT I REALLY THOUGHT ABC DID A GREAT JOB ON ''V''. THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE GREAT, AND THE CHARACTERS ARE STRONG. WE HAVE TO REMEBER THAT THIS IS A REMAKE. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL SERIES.I REALLY LIKED THE NEW ANGLE OF ''BLIND DEVOTION''.
lets see soon
I'll check it out, though I'm starting to get really annoyed with all of the remakes. Chaos_Zombie is crazy, because Baccarin is obviously totally hot. Also, MemnochZERO kind of depressed me by reminding me of the crap ABC has been pulling lately. Both Defying Gravity and the Unusuals deserved way more of a chance!
I clapped at the end of it. Nice :)
saw the premiere on my dtv 20 mins late (i'm so cool on watching commercials). love what they've done with the remake. i'm a scifi head so this kind of story appeals to me. if you're one of those er or everybody loves raymond people you might not like this. oh and i think anna is hot.
I seriously don't see how anyone could consider Baccarin attractive. She's quite hideous looking to me, probably because of the super short hair. She looks like she'd fit the part for an alien though...
I'm looking forward to this and am going to give it a shot but I'll admit I'm a bit worried about how it'll do opposite the ratings giant that is NCIS. Granted, that's a show for old foggies looking for their procedural fix so many all the youngins' looking for excitement will tune into V.
didn't realize show was starting wondered why Syfy has been showing the series and mini-series this week. Will give it a shot but usually remakes don't measure up to originals. Can't see anyone being as good as Jane Badler and June Chadwick but I'll give a look see
I'll watch, but have very low expectations. I saw the original with Marc "The Beastmaster" Singer in the lead role. It was interesting and a stretch at the time. It seems to me there must be something else they could be spending this money on that might be original. We'll see!?!
So, what you're saying, Tim, is that you didn't like the supposed "conservative" leanings of the original pilot, but since they "libbed it up" you're all for it? Figures.
Until a couple of weeks ago, I didn't know V was even coming on in the fall so I am ALL KINDS of excited. Plus the cast is so fantastic. Looks like they might be trying for a prettier version of District 9 which will be interesting. Also the biggest bonus (besides Morena Baccarin, Laura Vandervort, and Elizabeth Mitchell all on the same show) is that it'll liven up what's been an absolutely putrid night for TV (not including SOA). A few others have mentioned this, but I'm also a little worried about how ABC will deal with the show, they've already cancelled two shows with a killer cast (the Unusuals) and killer premise (Defying Gravity) so if V doesn't catch on quick, it may get killed too.
I am looking foward to this one. I think ABC will back it. They are looking for a new big rating giant. And I think this could be it for them. IF it is half as good as the orginal it will blow the rest of tuesday's lineups away easy
Best line of the whole post,'there's more to the program than lizard-like enemies and star Morena Baccarin's gorgeous face.' I wounldn't downplay Baccarin's face too much, she is one of the main reasons I'm watching.
I am looking forward to seeing it!
I will be watching to see if this is half as good as the original was, but I have my doubts with the show being on ABC. I dont think the network will back the show long enough for a following to develop.
I will give it a try...
XO XO
:):):):)
My friend and I were at V's panel at the Comic-Con. Although she was reluctant to give this show a try, when she watched the pilot she was like "I am going to stick to the show because the pilot is sooooooo amazing". I am too.
Been waiting for this 4 decades :)Loved the original way back then...
I'll watch it, but ABC only showing four episodes then having to wait till midseason to see the rest tells me ABC doesn't have much faith in this show.
im tuning in
I have High expectations for this show.