The Man Who Fell to Earth

Not inspired by a video game, nor is it a tired spinoff in a tired franchise - fresh sci-fi for the thinking person who also likes high adventure. Who knew that was still possible in Hollywood? Marvelous performances by everyone on cast, pleasing cinematography, riveting plot and editing, intriguing CGI that serves rather than fuels the story, even funny at times, what's there not to like?

Oh wait, it's "woke". Or so we are told by dozens of reviewers. I literally scrutinized the show for inappropriate wokeness, ready to cringe at the very first opportunity. But no.

Could this be because the show implies we are destroying ourselves as a civilization? That's such a reach given what's going on, right? Or because the main characters are ... gasp ... black? That was so unheard of in 1950. I will concede that they don't look like David Bowie, who starred in the original movie the show is very loosely based on. If that sort of departure disappoints then skip this show.

If you like anything intelligent at all, then by all means watch it. You'll love it, as I did. Looking forward to a rocking season.

An unusually talented cast, the mind of Kurtzman and a reliable core-concept, what could possibly go wrong? Well ... nothing actually, this is a fabulous start to this novel/movie adaptation/sequel told from a fresh perspective.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is exceptional as the wide-eyed, genius child with a sense of naïve wonderment, beautifully portrayed with rictus grin, uncoordinated movement and simpleton dialogue. As the Yin to his Yang, Naomie Harris plays his street-smart, big-hearted sidekick.

The effects are awesome, they are hardly noticeable and completely credible, dovetailing with gorgeous cinematographic choices.

Overall, a fine first episode with great promise, well worth a watch!

There's so many ways this could go wrong, but so far, so good. It gets a little hokey and that's ok. The tongue-in-cheek humor is light and done well.

When I saw it was a Showtime series, I was like...meh, they'll find a way to mess it up, and they still could : P

Chiwetel Ejiofor does some amazing things. The dude is awesome.

I hope this series stays on an even keel, because sic-fi, alien-comes -to-Earth is so overdone and almost always irretrievably bad. For sure, there's going to be a mess of reviews that complain WOKE...because it has a non-whites in it...and he's an alien. It's impossible for people to help themselves. : D.

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.

This show definitely has promise.

Without giving anything away on plot.

Great acting by all and the added bonus of Bill Nye is going to make this interesting.

Looking forward to episode 2.

I have watched the show unlike some who have not and given it a poor rating.