One of my biggest questions last season on Colony concerned the amount of work that had to have been done before the Arrival. Slogans, uniforms, organization – how did everything come together so quickly? The wall comes down – and everything’s ready to go. And this year, in two episodes, we’ve seen just a bit about that, from last episode’s recruitment of Snyder as proxy to the interesting tidbit that opened up tonight’s show.
1969? Of course, the major launch that year was the first moon mission, Apollo 11, but 9, 10, and 12 also launched. So (assuming) during one of those 4 space flights, astronauts saw images and heard a sound that’s being called “mathematical” and could be a “message”? That was more than 40 years ago – was this our first contact? And in those intervening years, who knew, who acted, what did they know? What did they learn that led them to believe that capitulation was the best choice? We’ve all seen alien invasion shows and movies – they generally have two forms, either worldwide resistance (Falling Skies) or integration (V). Colony doesn’t seem to be taking either of these routes, which is one of the things that makes it fascinating! The aliens don’t seem to be interested in integrating with human society, and the resistance is a small, unorganized group of humans, who aren’t making much headway. I hope we see more of this during the season!
But the strain is taking a toll. For a number of people, this is perhaps the best thing that ever happened to them – pushing them into positions they never could have achieved, if they had to maintain a civil and polite outward appearance. It’s unleashing the worst in people, like Solomon the warlord, and I’d bet that he’d tell you this is who he always thought he was.
Let’s look at the changes so far in some of our main characters.
We saw Will at the beginning of the first episode. He was a moral, family-loving man, troubled by the possibility that his partner, who is obviously someone he cares for, has become corrupt. But his loyalty won’t let him just dump her or turn her into his superiors – he tries to find a way out that keeps his integrity and doesn’t cause harm to her. But throughout last season, and into tonight, circumstances have caused him to question everything that’s important to him – everything except his love for his children, apparently. “I’m not the man I was,” he tells Devin. “I’ve learned you’ve got to do things to survive in this world. Make compromises.” And he’s made quite a few – last season, he killed Quayle so he wouldn’t reveal what he knew about Katie; and tonight, he kills several guards and the warlord, in retribution for what happened to Charlie.
COLONY — “Somewhere Out There” Episode 202 — Pictured: (l-r) Jacob Buster as Charlie Bowman, Josh Holloway as Will Bowman — (Photo by: Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)
But he also seems to have developed some resistance fever. Seeing the devastation in the Santa Monica bloc, and the way that people are being hunted and sold by their fellow humans, he wonders about their passivity. “Why isn’t this bloc at war? Why aren’t people fighting for their lives?” he asks Devin. If people here really are being handed over to the aliens as Factory fodder, what stops them from doing the same in the LA bloc? In a sense, they already are, using minor infractions to grab up slave labor. When Will returns – if he makes it back, since he didn’t find the transit pass on Solomon’s body – will he take that newly found rebellion and use it for the Resistance? Can he find his way back?
COLONY — “Somewhere Out There” Episode 202 — Pictured: Josh Holloway as Will Bowman — (Photo by: Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)
Katie’s had a transformation. With Charlie missing, Bram arrested, Will gone, she’s focusing her heart and energy on Gracie. She’s no longer the firebrand, ready to take up arms in service for the whole of humanity. Her vision has shrunk down to her family, divided by catastrophe. She’s even angered and alienated her sister, who has her own transition to make. Has the soldier fire in Katie been completely extinguished by her family’s tragedies, just when Will may be picking up the banner?
COLONY — “Somewhere Out there” Episode 202 — Pictured: Sarah Wayne Callies as Katie Bowman — (Photo by: Jack ZemanUSA Network)
The kids have all certainly changed. I’m glad Charlie’s been rescued, but what happened to him? When his father sees the scars on his ankles, he tells Will, “I tried to run away. Solomon put me on the chain, I learned.” Will wants to know what else Solomon did to Charlie, and the other children. Can parents’ love, even in these harsh and unusual times, heal a child?
Bram learns quick, doesn’t he! When he sees his history teacher being sent, most likely, off to the Factory because he has no usable skills, Bram quickly invents a story that he’s older than he really is, and has worked construction. He’s adaptable and smart. And Nolan had nothing to do with it, despite what Maddie tells Katie.
And Gracie is feeling guilt that no young child should feel. After being told by Lindsey that working toward the Greatest Day is what makes you a good person, she decides she hasn’t worked hard enough, and isn’t good enough, and that’s why her family is falling apart. Katie recognizes that she needs help and reassurance, and has never been comfortable with what Lindsey is teaching the children, so hopefully, she’ll help guide her to a better place – and not the one that Lindsey wants to take her to.
I’ll talk about Snyder later in the season – the only question I have for tonight is – did he recognize Bram? Sure looked like he might have. And can he – will he – help?
The Greatest Day now has me completely intrigued. Maddie has joined this “secret society.” The low-key, but not-so-vaguely threatening initiation ceremony was quietly menacing. “The question for humanity is not where we have been, it’s where we are going. Are you prepared to accept that truth? Will you safeguard the secrets of the movement, even from friends and family? And do you accept that the punishment for violating your oaths will fall not just on you, but on everyone you love? Then rise, Maddie Kenner, and receive your welcome into the Greatest Day.”
COLONY — “Somewhere Out there” Episode 202 — Pictured: (l-r) Adrian Pasdar as Nolan, Amanda Righetti as Maddie — (Photo by: Jack ZemanUSA Network)
What the he** was that glowing cube? What did Maddie see when she held it? The secret to what is to come? Did it convince her that this is right? What are the children learning – what has Gracie so worked up that she hangs on every word Lindsey says to her, every page she reads in her book? How many people have actually been given the cube, as opposed to just being told about it?
There’s some quasi-religious symbolism here, but it doesn’t seem to be for the good of everyone, only for a select few. The inclusion of the children reminds me of Childhood’s End (and much more the original book than last year’s TV adaptation), but now I have to know what’s happening. The mysteries here just keep expanding and multiplying – where are we going?
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