The Man Who Fell to Earth

You see, this is a sequel. It seems most reviews missed this. A fresh and respectable one at that. Just don't call it woke, for that would date and degrade its artistry. Yes, Bowie's character appears here. Thomas (Jerome) Newton, played quite well with his spidery William S. Burroughs dead ringer look by Bill Nighy. I'm sure if Bowie were still alive, he'd be appearing here. Nice, classy touch titling each episode after a Bowie tune. Solid acting by the leads, decent cinematography, though not on the sublimely high level of the great Nic Roeg, and dare I say a bit more surface clarity in its storytelling than the movie. I do deeply miss Rip Torn though. I think the brilliant author Walter Tevis, one of the finest and most monstrously underrated sci-fi writers of his generation, would surely endorse this repurposing of his work. It is quite imaginative and inventive. Also, deft use of comedy where you wouldn't necessarily expect it. I expected this interpretation to fall flatly on its face, instead the experience was rather uplifting. Kudos to those responsible. Who doesn't like surprises?

I really hate it when people rate a show poorly before it even starts, this had a 5.4 rating on here before it aired. I'm glad that's improved since then. As a fan of sci-fi I really enjoyed the pilot episode and surprised at why the rating isn't higher as the few reviews I've read are mostly positive(even though some are over the top with praise). It feels like a meticulously thought out concept and I always love it when a tv show/movie brings something new to the genre; and it's supported by a more than capable cast to carry the show. Of course there's a plethora of shows/movies about aliens landing on earth but this feels different so I hope(and believe) it'll build on that and not fall into a more inane conventional storyline trap. The first episode and trailer make the future episodes seem promising. There's a gem to be made here and I'm looking forward to it. But then again, this still could go either way, it's early days. Judging before you even get it.

This was my review after episode one but it somehow got removed even though it was up for nearly two months, have no idea why but I'm salty because it was the top review lol. Anyway, it's up to episode nine now and it's honestly gotten better. I love how it didn't just end up being a generic sci-fi or one where it's written as they go because it feels well thought out. There were one or two episodes that felt a bit humdrum but it's really lived up to my expectations, I still keep the rating at a 7 but 8/10 reviews would still be justified. Some people have said it's "woke" but it's really just an alien's perspective on human nature and it felt believable. Wonderful performances throughout, Naomi Harris is sometimes over the top but nothing too bothersome. Thinking back we got to see a billionaire-esque version of Faraday in the early episodes and that hasn't come to fruition yet with 1 episode to go. I wonder if episode 10's going to be the last one or it's renewed, if it is I hope it's not forced and they actually have a decent story to follow up season 1.

So far, I think it's great 4 episodes in! Most original series I have seen for years. Screenplay and characters are original and first class. I am all in!!

No social justice message, story is about the story, actors are just black.

....going by the 1st episode, will continue to watch, other sci-fi has it worse.

I'm a big fan of the original as a big fan of David Bowie. This stands alone, but it echoes back and pays tribute nicely, while being a compelling story in its own right.

Chiwetel Ejiofor performs convincingly and with humour as an alien learning to behave as human and deal with the sensory input. Watching as an autistic person I felt resonance with that and I think that's no accident with Justin assuming and stating he was on the spectrum.

I really don't understand why anyone would be so fixated on the fact that lead characters happen to be black. If it's out of some sort of loyalty to the original film then it's sadly, deeply misguided. Bowie was passionate about civil rights and disgusted by racism and I believe he'd fully support the casting choices. It is in no way AT ALL honoring his memory or legacy to be racist.