At the beginning of the first episode, a few questions are asked to the audience: where were you when JFK was assassinated, on 9/11, and this morning. Because on this morning, an alien armada has arrived on our planet. Over 29 cities, these ships bring with them a message: We come in peace, and if you allow us to replenish our resources on your planet, we will share some of our technology with you. They say they are peaceful, calling themselves the Visitors. But there’s one problem, they’re lying to us.

The original V miniseries and spinoffs had strong symbolism likening the Visitors and the atmosphere created in their presence to being much like Nazi Germany during the 1930’s. Promises of a better life amidst the current turmoil, reshaping communities and families, and a mutually beneficial relationship are all themes the Visitors promise, but at what price. Elizabeth Mitchell, most commonly known as Juliet from Lost, plays an FBI agent tracking down a lead on a terror cell that somehow is linked to the V’s. Her son is increasingly becoming enraptured with the Visitors.

While remaining spoiler free, the show quickly escalates, and we start to see a resistance is forming against the V’s. Some of the other characters in the show have pasts connected with what’s coming. The pilot episode started off strong, and I hope the show balances both pace and storyline, without attempting to copy the successful formula that made a show like Lost so engrossing. Here is a sneak peek from ABC below.