We’re a nation that’s gone mad for sci-fi and mystery.

Fringe has replaced the X Files, while vampires have made appearances on nearly every channel. Therefore it’s no surprise that V has made it into its second series in the UK – those over in the US will have watched this already.
So what is it about this alien show that makes us want to carry on watching? Well firstly there’s the fact that it was originally a very successful series back in the early 80s.

Although I’m too young to remember the original there are many others who watched this and have therefore turned to the modern series to compare. Then there’s the other fact that this programme doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has good effects, yet the storyline isn’t as complex as the one of Fringe, nor is it as simple as X Files.
For those not familiar with the storyline, the world one day is visited by spaceships, which float above the skyline of major cities. However, unlike many alien invasion stories, there are currently no wars. The first few episodes of the first series show the visitors being embraced into the world thanks to their leaders – Anna’s – promise of sharing their technology and the building of health centres.

However, FBI agent Erica soon discovers that all is not what it seems. In fact the visitors are getting ready to invade and have been here for years. This is demonstrated by Ryan who is a V but turned against the clan and got together with his human wife who in the first series is currently pregnant, unknowingly with an alien baby.
Erica, together with Father Jack and Ryan forms a group to begin to bring down the V’s, their first feat in the first series is killing Anna’s army eggs.
Of course there are complications. Tyler, Erica’s son becomes obsessed with the visitors and falls for Anna’s daughter Lisa – who at first was made to make him do this, but now loves him. In order to protect him she moves to help Erica.
The second series has pretty much started off in the same way. Lisa has developed full human feelings, Erica is fighting against the V’s and Ryan is being bribed by Anna who has his baby after killing his wife.
The dialogue is simple and the plot even simpler, but what makes this watchable is the action scenes and the fact that it doesn’t take itself seriously. At points the acting isn’t Oscar worthy and at times the script is slightly predictable, but for those who like easy watching and aliens I say this is one programme to watch.