Colony Episode 1 Review: The Alien Show That's Not About Aliens (Season Premiere)

"Colony" opens as every family drama does. The Bowmans prepare for a new day. There's a mother (Katie), father (Will), two kids (Bram and Grace) and a dog. All are loving and happy. The first sign something is amiss is when the camera follows Bram outside and we see razor wire. A gigantic wall surrounds Los Angeles and divides it into several sectors (called blocs). The citizens are trapped. There are armored personnel carriers on the streets. Most citizens ride bikes since they're not allowed to drive cars.

Will works as a mechanic. He attempts to smuggle himself into the Santa Monica zone inside a semi. Will is looking for his son Charlie (who disappeared along with many others during the invasion). There's a gigantic explosion. Bowman's hiding place is revealed. Thanks Resistance! We see an areal shot. Yep, that's a big ass wall.

Meanwhile Katie attempts to buy insulin for her nephew when she almost gets into a gun fight. Possession of a gun is punishable by death. That woman doesnt mess around. She hears there might be a way to extract insulin from canines (and she has a dog). She later steals some from the hospital. The overlords have determined that those with recurring medical conditions should not be treated. Sound familiar?

Will stews in prison for a while is and eventually sent to Proxy Governor Snyder. We learn that the "hosts" took control of LA a year ago. We never see them but they have some mad tech. Due to Snyder's position, he has access to the finer things in life (while everyone else goes without).

We learn about Will's past. He was previously an FBI agent and Army ranger. Snyder wants Will to help the occupiers crush the resistance by posing as a double agent. His job is to find the resistance leader named Geronimo. In exchange, Snyder promises Will's family will be safe. If not, they will be sent to "work factories". We all know what that's code for.

Snyder says "the most important day in human history is coming". The hosts will arrive soon. They witness some sort of spacecraft launch. Is that people being sent to the factories? Will sarcastically says he can see the same thing from his house so Snyder's view in the hills isnt that great. You tell him Will!

Bowman returns home. He and Katie have sexy times. That was rather loud for having kiddies in the house. Then they fight over where their son is and what to do about it.

The next morning the family awakens to Snyder in their kitchen making breakfast. He says they will have access to lots of "special things". The kids will have private tutors, Katie can get a better job, etc. He wont leave without an answer from Will. Will agrees to join but only in exchange for his son's release.

In the last scene, Katie secretly meets with a small group. She says she will be their inside contact because the Occupation just hired her husband Will. Uh oh, the apparently loving husband and wife are going to be pitted against each other. This is going to get nasty quick!

Trivia:

The Occupation- We know "the Arrival" occurred a year ago. The "hosts" are aliens but we never see them. There's a red and black logo of a bird plastered all over town to remind the citizens who's really in charge.
RedHats- the nicknames for the Colony Transitional Authority (because their helmets/hats are red).
Tech- the only tech we see available to average citizens are payphones. I wouldnt want to be trapped behind the wall when all those people gave up the internet cold turkey. I'm surprised anyone is left alive.
Curfew- You definitely dont want to be out after curfew or the alien drones will kill you. The scene with Katie was very effective.
Tag lines- include "Behind the Wall" and "Life Under Occupation".

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). This USA series features some major star power including Josh Holloway from "Lost" as Will and Sarah Wayne Callies from "The Walking Dead" as Katie. Carlton Cuse of "The Strain", "Bates Motel" and "Lost" is it's creator (along with Ryan Condal). Episode 1 does a good job of setting up this new world. There is a significant amount of "data dump" but none of it feels unreal. Interestingly, "Colony" focuses on the fate of the Bowman family and other LA citizens instead of worrying about what the aliens want. It could be the story of any occupied group. The pilot provides a good start to what I hope is a riveting series. There are 10 episodes planned.