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Masters of Science Fiction Season 1 Episode 2

The Awakening

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7.2

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 8/11/07

In war torn Baghdad, US soldiers discover a mysterious casualty that they cannot identify as human.

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

Predictable, cliche, yet interesting. Not as awakening as it could have been...

6.5

By AvatarBlue, Nov 05, 2008

An episode involving a plot centering around one of man's eternal questions - Does God exist. Add into the mix, impending armaggedon and an alien invasion and this initially promises much.

However, what you get is pretty much cliche, predictable, flat, fairly dull screenplay interspaced with moments that pass beyond the average. The real strengths of this episode, are the performances of the actors. Specifically, O'Quinn (Locke in Lost) and Rohm (Serena in Law and Order).

Its how their close bond forms on screen given the dire situation that provides any semblence of watchability to this episode. Otherwise, it would be a very shallow screenplay indeed. The only special effects of note are the aliens at the ending, decent if thoroughly sentimental. Overall, the story lacks any real drama. Tension is limited only to the mystery of the aliens and their motives and purpose. Conflict is only simulated and reflects the potential catastrophe that could happen. This is only held in the minds of us the viewers as it isnt projected enough, mainly through the dismal acting of the foreign heads of state.

The casting of "Cancer man" from the X-Files as the president on Doomsday watch does add an element of irony, but he is wasted esp. at the end, which is anti-climatic and shrouded in the the whole cliche and expectant happy ending which can be forseen.

I wanted to give this a 7+ as I really did enjoy the onscreen relationship struck by OQuinn and Rohm. The story is on a basic level interesting and logical to follow. However, the perky start gives way to a middle act of little drama and action, followed by a final act of silliness.

I disagree that this deserves a really low mark, but I know not everyone will enjoy it. I say its one of the episodes you take a chance on.moreless
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Mankind finds alien artifact, it posesses man but is it trying to take us over or do us good? In the end its trying to help..

1.2

By smokesalmoned, Aug 25, 2007

Given that one of the stars of Lost was in on this and whose story it was based on, I was pretty pumped up to see this but the dialogue and the angel like scenario was pretty lame. Of course the Bush like President is out to do something stupid and won't trust anyone else in the entire world. Its always Americas fault and everyone else is made out of sugar and spice, la la la tra la. Its just to easy to do it that way and a good writer knows that. It all came accross as stiff, chock full of cardoard characters and I could so have done without that "angel" bit in the end. World Peace sci fi is usually pretty cheesy bottom of the barrel stuff with extremely rare exceptions (Niktu Bradda Klaktu anyone? - Yup I misspelled it. Sue me) In the end I just didn't care much what happened to the two leads or whether this whole silly storry collapsed into a crack flashback.moreless
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The world must stop fighting so they send an alien to stop it

2.2

By whodinii, Aug 20, 2007

At first I was intrigued with this episode - what is this thing doing? It lets people understand each other and then sends them into a trance. Then we got deeper into the episode and realised that it was trying to make world peace. It was if someone switched on a light switch - the president tells the other leaders that "America fears and wonders if they will attack them." And suddenly as if by magic all the other nations agree that this it is a really stupid idea to attack America - so they stop and America decides not to attack this alien thing that they don't know much about.

And hey presto we got world peace?

It was very silly - a real shame as it started out with lots of potential and some great actors were in it too.moreless
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Amazing that this show somehow managed to jump the shark after two episodes.

1.2

By splogue, Aug 19, 2007

Wow. How bad was this? This was one of those gimmick episodes that happens during sweeps after a show is about four seasons old (or older). To do this as a second episode means that the folks behind this show do not respect their audience. It really was something like "if you don't like this, you must not be smart enough to respect it."

Very good actors. They spent all this time acting, and we are not allowed to see it. There is a story, but we are not allowed to know what it was. Bad. So bad, I can say for certain that even if I watch the next one, very few others will.

Seanmoreless
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This episode of "Masters Of Science Fiction" proves the phrase, "The Book Is Always Better than The Movie."

3.2

By jrgreenmd, Aug 12, 2007

This episode of "Masters Of Science Fiction" proves the phrase, "The Book Is Always Better than The Movie."

The book on which this episode is based was far better than the episode "The Awakening." This up date of the story is marred by a reset in current time and political overtones.

America is the bad guy.

War, in this case Iraq, is evil.

World organizations are good.

Nations should gang up against the USA.

The US President is a naive war monger governed by prejudice.

US diplomacy is an act of force.

Attacks on the USA are justified.

Good science fiction, as the original story was, is subtle and thoughtful. This is a blunt instrument. I like the original "Star Trek" because it often dealt

with complex and emotional topics by example and allusion. Attack on individuals and groups in current time was avoided.

The show is typical of the current crop of Canadian productions. The feel is similar to "X Files," "Stargate SG-1," and the remake of "Twilight Zone."

The writing has much to be desired and is cliche.

I have had high hopes for this show as I love science fiction and will stay tuned to see if this episode was an aberration.

If you have a hour to spend and love science fiction, you may want to watch this. If you read the original story, you may have second thoughts.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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William B. Davis	President
Terry O'Quinn	Albert Skynner
Elisabeth Rohm	Lt. Granger
Julian Christopher	General Mackenzie
Malcolm Stewart	Col. Dingham

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Doron Bell	Kirby	Guest Star
Samir El Sharkawi	Iraqi	Guest Star
Adrian McMorran	Medic	Guest Star

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (2)
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- Skynner: You know, the one critical piece of logic that UFO conspiracy freaks in the world over always neglect to consider? Man's propensity to make enemies.
  Lt. Granger: Sir?
  Skynner: If we really knew there were aliens out there, we wouldn't be keeping it a secret. We'd be turning them into an enemy and going to war with them.
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- Host: (opening narration) The impulse toward violence may be hardwired into our genes, but so is the dream that someday we might rise above it.
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NOTES (2)
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- International Airdates
  
  Canada: 25 November 2007 on SPACE
  United Kingdom: 25 October 2007 on Bravo
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- This episode is based on the short story "The General Zapped an Angel" by Howard Fast.
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