It’s been said time and time again that if we don’t learn from history that we’re doomed to repeat it, and “V” is a remarkable miniseries that examines what happens when history repeats itself. Set in a not too distant future, Earth is visited by a massive race of anthropomorphic alien beings that looks very human in nature. Though imposing, the alien race presents itself in a charming and docile manner, and interrupts civilization to settle alongside us. Known as the Visitors, they’re a very uniform mass of beings, all of whom proclaim themselves our friends after arriving in a fleet of large ships one day. By garnering help from various governments and influential people to acquire various chemicals and minerals for their ailing world, they agree to give Earth access to their advanced technology which they promise will cure diseases of all kinds. Soon enough, though they begin to insinuating themselves in to the general populace and before long create an environment of unease and tension among some individuals.
As the visitors garner influence among the government, much of the media and government begin strangling the general population, creating a very gradual fascist rule that becomes more dominant by the day. Michael Donovan is a reporter for a local news station who decides to figure out why those that show dissension are either arrested or suddenly go missing. After sneaking on board one of their top secret ships, he learns that the visitors are cannibalistic reptiles wearing human facades. Even worse, they have devious plans for Earth that does not involve friendship or co-existence of any kind. As Donovan struggles to get the word out to the media, other reputable individuals like scientists and doctors either go missing or are arrested for alleged subversion, creating an underground resistance led by Julie, as played by Faye Grant. Before long, a rebellion forms that involves learning why the Visitors suddenly have taken over the planet and what they’re hiding.
“V” is a fantastic miniseries that can be very much considered an action adventure, but deep down is a stark allegory about the Nazi occupation and the holocaust. Writer Kenneth Johnson evokes a myriad familiar imagery with the occupation of the visitors, presenting them much in the vein of the Nazi army. We bear witness as they steamroll through various populaces, and begin controlling elements of society like science, the media, and law. They even go so far as to stage propaganda, which affords them a slew of human sympathizers. One of whom is Michael’s own mother. They even possess very familiar symbols for their army, as well as uniforms in the vein of the SS. Much of what the characters endure is also reminiscent of the holocaust, with rebels being hauled off and tortured.
One moment even finds hero Michael finding the body of an old ally who’s become the subject of medical experimentation. The overtones are emphasized especially by character Abraham Bernstein. With a fantastic turn by Leonardo Cimino, Bernstein is a holocaust survivor who is one of the very first characters to notice how the visitors are horrendous reflections of the Nazis, right down to posters encouraging conformity. He doesn’t buy for a moment that they mean well, and works hard to encourage others to turn them away. He’s seen it all before, but his dissension falls on deaf ears. Despite the miniseries’ age, most of the special effects and action are still dazzling, with the stakes always high and no character ever safe from the grasp of the visitors at any moment. Johnson works a lot on world building, with a sub-plot involving a young human woman who forms an affair with a Visitor resulting in a shocking turn of events.
As Michael’s friendship with a Visitor lets him gradually learn what the Visitors have in store for Earth. Writer Johnson also develops an array of rich protagonists we can root for. Faye Grant is great as Juliet, the inadvertent leader of the cause, Marc Singer is also very good as the courageous news cameraman turned rebel, as well as Michael Wright as Elias, a former gang member turned hero. The great Robert Englund is also great as friendly “Visitor” turned ally Willie. “V” is still a raucous and exciting miniseries with influences obviously steeped in the realm of “Star Wars.” But it manages to maintain a lot of its social commentary and creates a villain that is both deadly and clever. It’s both a stellar bit of science fiction entertainment, as well as an often brilliant and important warning to viewers.