The season premiere of V promised a remade version of this classic tale of alien visitation that was relevant to the modern day. Instead, what we got was Left Behind In Space. I mean, quite seriously, that there is no philosophical difference between this series and the neoconservative paranoid schizophrenia of Left Behind. Let's match this up, side by side:
The basic plotline
Left Behind: A mysterious person appears out of nowhere, capturing for no apparent reason the devotion and praise of the entire world, except for a small team of devoted rebels who seem to sit on the sidelines rather than doing anything meaningful, but it doesn't matter because they know the Truth.
V: A mysterious alien species appears out of nowhere, capturing for no apparent reason the devotion and praise of the entire world, except for a small team of devoted rebels who seem to sit on the sidelines rather than doing anything meaningful, but it doesn't matter because they know the Truth.
Philosophy of peace
Left Behind: The mysterious person promises peace for all mankind, which we all know means that they are actually building the foundations for an evil reign of terror.
V: The mysterious species promises peace for all mankind, which we all know means that they are actually building the foundations for an evil reign of terror. Also, universal health care!
Philosophy of reporting
Left Behind: One of the main characters is a reporter who, despite personal misgivings, goes along with the mysterious person's plan to censor the media. This character is one of the Good Guys because of his unexpressed doubts.
V: One of the main characters is a reporter who, despite personal misgivings, goes along with the mysterious species' plan to censor the media. This character is one of the Good Guys because of his unexpressed doubts.
Philosophy of religion
Left Behind: The church is a place where the disillusioned can gather to discuss the unlikeliness of peace on earth. It is the home of the Good Guys.
V: The church is a place where the disillusioned can gather to discuss the unlikeliness of peace on earth. It is the home of some of the Good Guys.
Take-home message
Left Behind: Those who promise peace may secretly be representatives of the Antichrist.
V: Those who promise peace may secretly be reptilians from outer space.
