Ep 5. Love and Other Acts of Courage

The second season of the sci-fi TV series Falling Skies picked up right where it left off- a small group of survivors fighting against an alien invasion, which had wiped out nearly all of humanity and left the planet on a brink of extinction. The fifth episode of the season, titled Love and Other Acts of Courage- explored the complex dynamics of wartime relationships, relationships that were tested for their limits by the invasion.

The episode opens with the survivors at the camp, where Anne is seen visiting Lourdes. Lourdes has been struggling with the recent death of her friends and fellow survivors in the last episode, and Anne tries to comfort her. Meanwhile, Pope and Tom go on supply runs to a nearby building with a group of children. They are saved by a group of berserkers who come in with guns blazing, and Tom realizes that their attackers were human- a group of people who had turned to raiding others to survive.

Back at the camp, young love seems to be in the air as Karen tries to form a bond with Hal- a move that Maggie does not appreciate. Karen, who had been taken over by the aliens at the end of season one, seems to have recovered from her experiences and wants to prove that she can still be trusted. Her intentions, however, remain mysterious, and Hal is left struggling with his feelings.

As the story develops, Tom and his team find a radio transmitter, which is emitting signals that have been interpreted by the aliens. The team is unsure of what the signal means, and Tom decides to take the transmitter back to Weaver. Along the way, they meet a man named Boon, who looks like he has been living off the grid and has a deep distrust of authority. He warns Tom of an impending alien attack on the camp and advises him to leave with his team.

The tension in the air is palpable when the team returns back to the camp. They know that an invasion is imminent, and they need to prepare for it. Anne is tasked with taking care of the injured in the medical ward, while the others gather weapons and start fortifying the camp. However, as the adrenaline wears out, cracks start appearing in the survivors' relationships.

There is panic and suspicion at the camp as news of the impending invasion spreads. Some survivors try to desert, while others try to take control of the camp forcefully. Maggie and Karen have a heated confrontation over Hal, while Lourdes tries to make peace between them. At the same time, Tom and Boon decide to launch a counter-attack against the aliens, hoping to buy the survivors some time.

The episode's title- Love and Other Acts of Courage- is an apt one. The story's various plot points weave in and out of the complex relationships of the characters, highlighting the sacrifices they make in the face of overwhelming danger. Love, or the lack of it, is explored in all its complicated facets- love between parents and their children, between friends, and between romantic partners. The episode ends with a poignant scene between Tom and Weaver, where they come to terms with the fact that their past relationships and mistakes have shaped their current circumstances.

In conclusion, Love and Other Acts of Courage is an excellent episode that uses character development and relationships to drive the plot forward. It highlights the themes of sacrifice, trust, and love in the midst of a brutal war, and leaves the audience with more questions than answers. Falling Skies season two's fifth episode is one that stands out as a well-crafted and thoughtful story in a series that's known for its action and adventure.