Invasion - TV-14

Alien-invasion drama is best for teens and up.

TV Rating: TV-14 Network: ABC Cast: Eddie Cibrian, Kari Matchett Genre: Science Fiction
Available on: Download

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this sometimes-creepy sci-fi drama includes explicit violence, and the entire concept -- aliens are taking over human bodies -- can be somewhat unnerving. Once they've been changed by the invaders, some characters have uncontrollable murderous urges and no sense of right and wrong.

Families can discuss what it means to be human, and where our identity as individuals lies. Are you really different if you have all your memories and all your emotions in a new body that looks just like the old one?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Will Wade

When a hurricane devastates South Florida, several of the residents of Homestead, a sleepy town on the edge of the Everglades, survive the storm but are inexplicably changed. They look the same as before, but something is clearly off, and few can explain why.

This compelling drama is far from the stereotypical alien-invasion show. For starters, the apparent head of the conspiracy, Sheriff Tom Underlay (William Fichtner), doesn't seem to know too much about the plan. Yes, he has some deep secrets, and some of his comrades-in-alien-transformation are plotting something big and bad. However, he frequently demonstrates that he has little understanding of the big picture -- trying to figure out what that is what keeps the show intriguing to viewers.

Park Ranger Russell Varon (Eddie Cibrian) is also trying to uncover the mystery, with help from his pregnant wife Larkin (Lisa Sheridan), an investigative reporter, and her brother Dave (Tyler Labine), a conspiracy nut who finally seems to have gotten one right and is freaked out by his discovery. Despite his position, Underlay also seems to have some misgivings about the invasion. He was eager to make sure that his wife Mariel (Kari Matchett) was transformed, yet just as careful to protect his teenage daughter Kira (Alexis Dziena) from going through the same experience.

Underlay and Varon are closely linked -- Mariel is Russell's ex-wife and mother to their two children, teenage Jesse (Evan Peters) and the much-younger Rose (Ariel Gade). Underlay, Varon, and Mariel quickly catch on to her transformation. The impact of this change on both families, particularly the three kids, forces everyone to reevaluate what it means to be a parent, and what it means to be human.

Though the main characters are all adults, several important plot threads focus on how their transformation has affected the three children. Younger fans will be able to relate to the idea of seeing dramatic changes in their world, filtered through the lens of their family. The show also shows Jesse and Kira making important, and very adult, decisions on their own, with both positive and negative consequences -- just as most teens do.

Fans of Invasion might also enjoy Lost (another show in which things are definitely not what they seem) and fellow alien-invasion saga Surface.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some making out, and plenty of skimpy outfits. No explicit sexual content, but some episodes make it clear what the characters are doing off-camera.
Violence Fairly frequent realistic violence (including several murders), but the graphic nature of some scenes demonstrates that real violence has painful consequences. Also, some scenes show alien creatures attacking people abruptly. The violence has increased as the season has progressed.
Language Mild ("damn," "hell," "ass," etc.). Some of the characters have occasional heated arguments.
Message
	Social Behavior Authority figures are in clear, constant conflict. The local sheriff takes advantage of his position to manipulate townspeople and facilitate an alien infiltration. Among the people who have "changed," wildly antisocial behavior (murder, theft, deceit) is common.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Several adult characters drink beer, though not to excess, and some episodes include scenes featuring teenagers drinking at parties.