V: Anna and Chad.

As I am an Australian TV shows from the states often take a bit of time to reach our screens. While in recent times networks have been pushing forward the newest shows alot more so than even five years ago. Under the guise of such catchy words as 'Fasttracked' and 'Streamlined'. The remake(reimagining in exec speak) of the 1980's tv series 'V' finally premiered last Sunday after a few months of its US premiere.

My first impressions were that this was an entertaining science fiction show. It sure has been geared to reap in whatever audience is attached to sci-fi veterans. Morena Baccarin(Firefly, Stargate SG-1), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), Joel Gretsch(Taken, The 4400) all star in V and have been in TV shows that have cult followings. The first episode also guest stars Alan Tudyk from Firefly fame. The special effects have that multimillion dollar shine. Having not seen the iconic original series my instincts are that the earlier episodes will feel better after the series has finished.



What I really want to focus on is one exchange which I thought summed up the first episode and the direction of the series beautifully.

Anna the Visitor or V is walking through a sea of reporters. She is thrown all sorts of curly questions which are only met with her calm controlled demeanor.
Chad Decker (Scott Wolf) is a local journalists who hosts his own news program. He manages to silence the crowd.

Chad Decker: Is there such a thing as an ugly Visitor? You all seem to be what we consider attractive.

Anna: Thank you. You're not so bad yourself.

At this point in time much of the world has accepted that the V's are friendly. They have dished out advanced medicines and healed that which cannot be healed. Such as paralysis. The public mood toward them is overwhelmingly positive.

Chad's dialogue can be taken at least two ways.

1. I find you all hot.
2. Why are you trying so hard to appear friendly to us? What are you hiding? (How am I suppose to score with a V if I cant make friends with a slightly ugly, obese relative?)

The interpretation of what he had said plays a large part in why Anna later chooses him to interview her. Her interpretation is that he was implying 1. Which raises the question, have the V's underestimated the human race?
On the flipside, this is the first evidence that the V's are not perfect. Anna misinterpreted Chads meaning. So there may be a way to ultimately defeat them, if that is the direction the series will take.

I just appreciate the cleverness of the exchange. Also the dynamic it creates when Anna and Chad are together on screen for the interview. Her arrogance and belief Chad is a journalist with lightweight questions may be the undoing of their public goodwill.

Tt is shown more bluntly that the V's are not the benevolent beings they claim when they storm a super secret meeting guerilla style and only leave four survivors. Even so, that exchange between Anna and Chad remains my favourite scene in the Premiere.

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