By David Wharton | 7 years ago

TNT’s alien-invasion drama Falling Skies returns for a third season on June 9th. It will pick up from last season’s intriguing finale, which introduced a mysterious new player into the conflict between humanity and the invading skitters and their overlords. To help get people hyped up for the new season, TNT has released a new batch of pictures from the premiere, as well as a snapshot of what’s going on as we return to the world of the 2nd Mass. Check it out, but fair warning — some of this could be considered SPOILERS.

As the new season of Falling Skies opens, seven months have passed since the survivors of the 2nd Mass reached Charleston, which has been named capital of the New United States. Now elected to public office, Tom (Wyle) has taken a more aggressive approach to the alien occupation than former leader Dr. Manchester. The government has formed a tenuous alliance with a band of rebel skitters who now paint their faces with a red and yellow stripe before battle in honor of Red Eye, their fallen leader. Tom’s son Ben (Jessup) serves as the mediator between Mason and the rebel skitters. But the alliance may not be enough to overpower the enemy Espheni, whose forces are now being led by an even more sinister overlord. To complicate matters further, another race of aliens has just entered the battlefield. Charleston also faces dangers from within its own walls. Recent battle losses have convinced Tom and the military that there may be a mole feeding strategic plans to the Espheni. Despite the threats they face, the survivors living in Charleston are doing their best to rebuild their lives. Dr. Glass (Bloodgood) and Tom are focusing on their growing family. Newly promoted to Colonel of the 2nd Mass, Weaver (Patton) is enjoying a renewed relationship with his daughter. Hal (Roy) is recovering from mysterious injuries he suffered while trying to destroy an alien super weapon. Meanwhile, his romantic pursuit of Maggie (Carter) is finally starting to see positive results, though she has a growing concern that something is wrong with him beyond mere battle injuries. And Pope (Cunningham), the non-conformist leader of the Berserkers, has set up his own little Popetown on the outskirts of Charleston.

Falling Skies has always been a frustratingly uneven affair, but it definitely introduced some interesting twists last season, and upset the show’s narrative status quo, which is always good. I’m hoping they’ll really hit their stride this year. At any rate, I’m intrigued to find out more about the mysterious fellow who arrived in the closing moments of last year’s finale, not least because he’s going to be played by Hellboy’s lanky Doug Jones.

What say you? Will you be tuning in for Falling Skies’ third season?