Ep 1. Live and Learn

After an alien invasion destroys most of the world's population and infrastructure, the remnants of humanity struggle to survive in a new world order. In "Live and Learn," the first episode of Falling Skies, we meet Tom Mason (Noah Wyle), a former history professor turned resistance fighter. Along with his two sons, Hal (Drew Roy) and Ben (Connor Jessup), and a rag-tag group of survivors, Tom fights back against the alien invaders known as Skitters.

The episode opens on a devastated cityscapes, with the survivors hiding out in the ruins of a school. Tom takes charge, organizing the group and delegating tasks. He's a natural leader, using his knowledge of history to inspire hope and rally the troops. But he's also a grieving father -- we learn that his wife died in the invasion and that his son Ben was taken by the Skitters.

As the survivors scavenge for supplies, tensions run high. Some of the group are eager to fight back, while others are more cautious. Tom tries to find a balance, acknowledging the dangers of the resistance but also reminding the survivors of the importance of keeping the human spirit alive.

But when a Skitter attack leaves one of the group dead, Tom is forced to make a tough decision. He leads a raid on a nearby hospital, hoping to find medicine for a wounded survivor and weapons to take on the Skitters. With Hal and a young orphan named Matt (Maxim Knight) by his side, Tom faces off against alien drones and Skitters in a tense and thrilling action sequence.

Back at the school, tensions between the survivors boil over as they turn on each other. Tom is forced to confront a survivor named Pope (Colin Cunningham), whose violent tendencies threaten to tear the group apart. But Tom stays true to his principles, trying to find a way to peacefully coexist with people who don't share his vision.

Meanwhile, we see glimpses of Ben's life as a captive of the Skitters. He's been harnessed -- a device implanted on his spine that allows the aliens to control his movements. But Ben hasn't given up hope. He finds a way to communicate with other harnessed survivors and begins to plan an escape.

"Live and Learn" sets up the world of Falling Skies and introduces us to its compelling characters. With its mix of action, drama, and sci-fi elements, the episode sets the tone for the rest of the series. As we follow Tom and his family on their journey to survive in this new world, we're drawn into a story of hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable odds.