The Inheritors Part II

I was really disappointed in this. What was designed to be some hard edged science fiction turns into some maudlin thing that you could see a mile away. After the mysterious building of some sort of space ship, we now have the gang, led by Robert Duvall, chasing the "bad" guys. The hard part is that they really had no power to do a thing. Everything is set up until the very end. A group of children are targeted. They have a plethora of disabilities. One is blind; one can't walk; etc. They are gathered up by the brains of the outfit as Duvall yells superlatives. It is so unrealistic that it is laughable. There are connections here at home that would have made this such a breach of simple decency. The writers never took into account the realities of the world, despite the relative unfairness of them. Sludge!

I pity those who are so cynical that they find this episode overly sentimental. It's beautifully written and acted, and the message is one of hope and love, something we could all use.

"The Inheritors are on their way. In a universe of billions of stars, there are places of love and happiness. On this earth, in this spot, magic settled for a moment, wonder touched a few lives, and a few odd pieces fell smoothly into the jigsaw of creation. "

And totally unexpected.

We get a glimpse of this when "The Lieutenant" meets the child "Johnny" near the end of Part 1, and we wonder if the children themselves are the pullers of strings. No, but willing and eager participants.

The only question is "of what?"

In a contemporary retelling, this would have ended badly or bloody.

Odd that words were not trusted, but words, the right words, solve the entire conundrum.

Robert Duvall continues to deal with genius alien trouble makers.

As another poster noted, you can just watch Part Two, without seeing Part One, and follow the story very well. In fact The Inheritors actually feels like a more solid production if you just watch Part Two.

Don't get me wrong, Part One is fine, however Part Two is a really solid hour from beginning to end, while Part One slowly moves along at times.

So take your pick: watch all of it or just Part Two if you are rushed for time.

Note: the director of this hour would later direct Star Trek's outstanding Where No Man Has Gone Before.

The Four soldiers are all involved in the kidnap of several disabled children, The Authorities track down the four men, and finally learn what's going on.

Alright, so I'll admit it, it's a little syrupy, I was expecting world domination and torment, instead I got something that made me feel a little gooey inside, but I loved it, so original, and totally unexpected.

It's such a contrast to the first episode, it really did blindside me, not the path I was expecting it to take, but still intelligent sci fi drama, and a story that implies that not every alien intervention brings malicious intent.

Nicely acted once again, and some impressive set designs.

Very good indeed.

9/10.