The Man Who Fell to Earth

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!!

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.

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'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.

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.