‘V’ Teaches Us to Combat False Saviors
by Ted BaehrThe first episode of the new science fiction television series “V” is a wake up call to those looking for salvation in the wrong places. We cannot predict where the series will go, but the opening episode features a young pastor, who plays a lead role in opposing the rush to consider some benevolent looking aliens to be the saviors of mankind.
The aliens are called “visitors,” shortened to “Vs,” thus the title of the program. They appear over major cities in large hovering spaceships that project messages in the local language. More than just the classic we-come-in-peace message, the messages say, “We’re here to help you.”
The opening episode makes it very clear, however, that they are not here to help. It turns out the Vs have planted many of their kind, who look human, prior to their dramatic arrival in spaceships. The alien plants have done their best to foul up life on earth in order to encourage a hunger for “change” (salvation). The Chicago Tribune draws a parallel to the Obama administration but, while many believe President Obama was not born in the United States, it’s unlikely he was born on another planet. Even so, it’s interesting that the evil aliens offer “universal health care” to all people. Thus, the first episode clearly seems to be saying that President Obama’s health care proposals, now making their way through the U.S. Congress, are a false hope that will lead to tyranny and slavery.
The initial episode does a good job of setting up several threads to keep audiences interested. A young priest bucks the judgment of the Vatican that the Vs were sent by God to help. He warns his congregation to be wary. An FBI agent uncovers the truth about the planted V cell groups even while her son signs up to be a stooge for the Vs. A news anchorman compromises and is used by the Vs for propaganda purposes. Finally, a V plant turns out to be a renegade V opposing the V leadership’s plans.
The production quality here is high for television, and the acting is excellent. There is moderate violence in a battle between the Vs and an underground resistance. However, unlike “Flash-Forward,” “V” is not tainted by babysitters sleeping with their boyfriends and the threat of a family falling apart due to infidelity. The potential exists for this program to be truly outstanding, but, as with many other series, it’s difficult to say if it will stray into murky waters down the road.
The theme of being wary of false saviors is very biblical as well as politically and culturally astute (see my book co-written with legendary entertainer Pat Boone, “The Culture-Wise Family”). Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
This is a message Americans really need to consider, not just in regard to big government but also such things as environmentalism and the humanism so prevalent in our government-run public schools. All the isms claiming to save you from belief in a “repressive” God promise freedom but often lead to bondage instead. Real freedom is freedom from sin. That can only be provided by the world’s true Savior, Jesus Christ.
“V” could actually go in that direction, but will it? We shall see.
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78 Comments
"We're here to help you". I think we just found Obama's campaign slogan for 2012.
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Pat Boone is a 'legendary entertainer'??????!!!! What is Ted a 'doctor' of?? ( I still have a copy of Pat's 'In a Metal Mood'.)
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There was a lot of speculation that V would be a dud because people aren't that fond of sci-fi programming in prime time, but it looks like it is dovetailing with all the crazy stuff happening in Washington and for that alone might actually be a huge hit. They've only got four episodes in the can, and new episodes won't air until March of next year, but I'm surprised at how many people actually tuned in.
V kind of reminds me of people paying $10,000 to a new age self-help author to fast for 36 hours and with no sleep go into a extremely hot Spiritual Warrior Sweat Lodge in Sedona, Arizona. Yes we do have to watch out for false prophets, they just might cook you to death.
He's a doctor of talking that shite-tuh!!! GLORY!
We need to reject prophets and saviors alike. Not one has proven anything but false.
I can see ABC turning the program into a "witness for Christ-tuh," as the good Doctor seems to hope. LOL — That's one way to kill it dead.
I've said it before, i'll say it again. The entire Sci-Fi genre is skewed towards the Right Wing
According to Wiki, Boone has "sold over 45 million albums, had 38 Top 40 hits and starred in more than 12 Hollywood movies." I'm guessing that probably about 45 more million albums than most people have ever done.
No, it's "I'm here to help you. Please send me your social security number and account number so I can deposit $40,000,000 Nigerian funds directly into your bank account. Time is of the essence."
Why do you say that?
I think they forgot to baste the meat in Sedona. Maybe a page missing from the local copy of "To Serve Man/"
Name a sci-fi movie that isn't about rebelling against an oppressive regime.
Roland Emmerich movies are the exception.
"it’s difficult to say if it will stray into murky waters down the road" Really. This is Hollywood of course it will, IF it last that long. Frankly I have no hope it will last, it will get canceled, SciFi doesn't last long on the network. I give it a short season. And I actually hate that. The last series was actually pretty good, okay it was a little campy and silly but the premise was interesting, so I was actually looking forward to the redo, but I won't invest the time since the track record by the network is to start the show and never finish it leaving they audience hanging.
"it’s difficult to say if it will stray into murky waters down the road" Really. This is Hollywood of course it will, IF it lasts that long. Frankly I have no hope for that. It will get canceled, SciFi doesn't last long on the network. I give it a short season. And I actually hate that. The last series was actually pretty good, okay it was a little campy and some of the dialog and acting was silly but the premise was interesting and it had it's environmental message even back in 1989. Taking care of our environment , no matter one's politics or religious ideologies, is a good thing because we all want clean air and water. SciFi is king at weaving that message into it's stories. I was actually looking forward to the redo of this film, but I won't invest the time since the track record by the Network is to start the show and never finish it thereby leaving audiences hanging. I don't need the frustration.
This is true. Also if you notice some times the oppressors are soulless machines. Much like liberals.
Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.
The current V is a remake of a miniseries and TV series that aired in the early 1980's. The mini was excellent, the series not so much and didn't last long.
I suggest the author of this piece watch at least the mini so he can prevent making a fool out of himself in the future if he plans to write more about the show. The V doesn't really stand for "Visitors" but for Victory. When the resistance organizes, the loose band of rebels are shown the power of symbols by an elderly Holocaust survivor. He catches a young rebel spray painting one of the Visitors propaganda posters. The teenager just randomly uses a can of red spray paint to deface the posters.
The old Jew stops him, takes his hand in his own, and paints a big read V.
V became the sign of the Resistance and Jesus Christ had nothing to do with.
Maybe people should consider there new false god(s) in washinton d.c.!
A very good pilot episode, will Robert Englund do a cameo? Small errors such as no explanation of why an emp from ship caused quake vibrations and felled jets, but media and transportation functioning, but can be explained as a deliberate weapon, also the Vatican has an ET clause already. Looking forward to next episode.
As a Sci Fi fan, I'm honestly flummoxed at all the reading into that is going into "V". (Unfortunately, I missed the episode. My TIVO was overwhelmed with requests and didn't record it, something I didn't find out until it was over. Insert foul word here!)
"V" is a REMAKE FGS. Everything is NOT about Obama.
Back in the eighties when it first came out (Marc Sanger playing the hero), president Obama was flirting with his Marxist buddies in college or maybe hanging out with terrorist Bill Ayers. I read the book, too. Believe me, Obama was NOT mentioned. Lefties, get a grip. If there's any subliminal plotting going on here, it's Obama taking a page from the original "V" not vice versa.
Whether "V" is a subtly clothed dig at the Obama administration or not is beside the point. Finally there is something on TV that conservatives can have FUN with. Simply by claiming that "V" is really a "highly politicized commentary on the facist tendencies of Obama and the Left" you will drive any liberal you meet nuts. Whether you believe the Visitors are metaphors for Pelosi, Reid, Axlerod, Emmanuel and the rest or not you should CLAIM that they are. Lefties will howl in protest but start asking themselves "Good Lord – Are we losing the media? How could an anti-Obama show get past the official censors?" So take it seriously folks! No matter what the writers and producers of "V" say keep plugging the show as a conservative commentary on the dangers of Obamania. Have fun with it.
…which is a sure and certain way to get the show canned immediately!
Obama: eloquence <> intelligence
i was entertained by the fact that once barry gets wind of V, he's gonna be one ticked off 'tator.
Gee, I thought that this was a movie. Now I find that it is put out by the far right. Gosh I'll bet that I will soon hear that President Bush is responsible.
Folks, if anything, NEA is responsible and they got their marching orders from Axelrod and Gibbs, the real power in the White House, not the figurehead people see behing the teleprompter.
I watched it last night. I think it's less a commentary on Obama than on the press. Over the past year or so, there's been a lot of discussion over a "free" press's role in our democracy, as being honest brokers that the public can use as a resource to make informed decisions. Plenty of time for this issue to work its way into the plot, irrespective of Obama.
A good part of the show centered around the media willingly being subjugated by the charismatic aliens, in return for being the exclusive, and highly rated, mouthpiece of whatever "news" the aliens wanted to disseminate.
This plotline coincidentally plays right into the WH refusing to talk to Fox News, a news outlet that has pointedly challenged our own charismatic, attractive, and relatively unknown president. I won't give the show writers credit for predicting this, but on this issue they hit a lucky home run.
I wonder if this poster who goes by the name of HumanPerson has ANY idea that he comes off as nothing but a horse's ass? This guy or whatever it is tells everyone they need to reject ALL Prophets and Saviors but I got a feeling the only Savior or Prophet he's referring to comes from The Holy Bible. This guy must know everything there is to know in the whole universe to come off with something as arrogant as "Not one has been proven anything but false" I'm wondering how this self professed humanperson knows this. Care to chime in humanperson and tell us ? Are you an all knowing entity walking the earth or are you a snake in the grass? I opt you are the latter
Excellent advice. And I think it's already happening.
Where's your proof that they have all proven false? Now, I will agree that ALMOST all of them are false, but only because there is one that actually turned out to be true, and all attempts to emulate Him have gone horribly awry. Anyway, even if you're right, or are at least convinced you're right, what's wrong with letting people keep their own beliefs and going your own way?
"So, do you want to buy the white car or the red car?"
(NOTE: There was no third option, such as "or would you prefer to go somewhere else and shop?")
You gave me two phrases by which I could describe myself. Neither fits.
And you're too clever for me, as usual. I confess. I believe in all the other 2,500 deities that've come along since recorded history began. It's only poor ol' Jesus Christ that I reject. How'd you see through me? As I said, your deductive powers truly defy description.
Well, umm, y'see, umm, dadgum it, I left my proof in my tennis shoe and the dingdanged dog ate it.
No, seriously, there's nothing I know that anyone else couldn't know. It's all freely available.
As to false beliefs? They're never harmless. That info is out there for you, as well. As for me, I'm gonna STFU, henceforth.
Apparently you see Right Wing scheming in everything. "said it before' etc.
Forbidden planet
Galaxy Quest
Star Trek 1
you are right. I remember it also. The aliens were actually reptilian creatures using a artificial facade to appear human. They actually swallowed mice, rats, etc whole and still alive. One of the actors was Andrew Pryne. Yes. V stands for Victory. We mujst be a lot older than the other respondants. I am surprised that the media reviewing the series did not pick that up.
you are right. I remember it also. The aliens were actually reptilian creatures using a artificial facade to appear human. They actually swallowed mice, rats, etc whole and still alive. One of the actors was Andrew Pryne. Yes. V stands for Victory. We mujst be a lot older than the other respondants. I am surprised that the media reviewing the series did not pick that up.
I think there's a misunderstanding. I meant 'skewed' in favor of the right wing.
Against control, in favor of freedom and individualism.
Although Alien could be just about and alien which is fine. So just 99% of sci-fi movies. Star Wars, Serentity, I Robot, etc.
Actually, regarding Emmerich's Robocop, it is anti Corporatism. So is the Right Wing. Score another one for the good guys.
(Robocop is the only good Emmerich movie too.)
one could also consider "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" not one that you describe.
I find it hard to imagine, after reading your note, that you are still a registered Democrat. The Democratic Party has moved so far left, it is now socialistic or communistic, while the Republican party now occupies a spot once the domain of the Democrats of 40 years ago.
So Gibbs is really one of the masterminds of this administration! Wow, What a brilliant disguise!
I would argue that Spock's story in Star Trek 1 and even the remake is the story of non conformity. Not letting society tell you who you are supposed to be and how you are supposed to act. Individualism.
As Hayek said, 'Collectivism is slavery.'
I just watched the pilot at Hulu and it was very disappointing. The original mini and sequel could in no way be called masterpieces, and the resulting TV series was not very good at all, but this version was very poorly done in comparison to all three previous versions.
First off, people all over the internet are acting as if the reporter compromising his principles is some current criticism of how the MSM have treated Obama. That particular plot line is pretty much the only thing that has been kept from the original miniseries. The only thing that has changed in the new version is that the leader of the Visitors is a woman and the TV reporter is a man. In the original mini the leader of the Visitors was a man and the TV reporter was a woman.
No, Diana was not the leader of the Visitors. She was a spokesperson. Making "Anna" the leader is some progress, I guess, but we've only seen the pilot so far so I doubt she really is. There is probably some actor coming up who will be the real "big bad".
The biggest disappointment for me, though, was the fact that they forgot what the V should be. That scene where Erica watches her son paint the V for the Visitors, and that it doesn't represent the resistance, is really a very telling symptom of how today's world really does work.
And that, more than anything else, is Obama's world.
V is for Victory. Let's hope it's remembered in future episodes.
Uh, Robocop was a Paul Verhoeven film.
Cameron's Alien sequel was decidely Lefty.
Guys, the pilot episode was written 2 years ago, when BHO was still a distant second to Hillary for the nomination. If it's relevant today, it's just coincidence (or eternal wisdom).
I don't think V was written as a parody of Obama's first nine months in office. It's a remake of a twenty year old series that took aim at believing in false saviors, warned of the dangers of making oneself a victim of government. That said, the reimagine is full of parallels to Obama's methodology as a politician. And yes the communist sleeper cells have been around for decades (I'd like to perform the autopsy on Pelosi. Bet she has strange eyes underneath that robotic botox ruined face.)
When I saw the promo ABC put out for the new V, my jaw dropped. Then I started to howl with laughter. God does work in mysterious ways.
Well uh you see we had our talk and still don't well get it. Please don't try that elightened atheist act, you hate Christians but what is really funny is you act towards them with the same condescending agrrogance and narrowmindness you hold against them. Even funnier you claim you don't need proof for you belief that there is no God! Sound like anyone you love to bash? You don't like Christians OK your choice but please don't think that unbelief somehow makes you any better.
everyone should note (and google) that ABC has replaced both the producer and the WRITER of the first four episodes of "V"
gee..
can anyone gues why ABC might have FIRED the WRITER and PRODUCER of a series that hits a little bit too close to home for obama / pelosi / harry reid ?
hmmmmmm
I have yet to watch "V," but I'll probably do so tonight.
I follow a fellow named "paleofuture" on Twitter, who is clever and amusing. He response to "V" is so interesting:
paleofuture wow. V makes reactionary scifi of the 1950s look downright subtle…
What's intriguing is the language choice: that because this plot seems to be a smackdown of President Obama's lizardlike tendencies, therefore this program is "reactionary," i.e., the term that the old-time Communists would have used when suppressing dissent in the Eastern Bloc.
I find it intriguing how the left already seems to find this offensive as a veiled criticism against our leader, even though (by the laws of time-space continuum and so own) it could not be, because it was conceived before President Obama was in office. Their protests (and using the term, "reactionary," of all things?!) seem to indicate that "V" cuts a little closer to home than they are comfortable with.
I wonder if that's why some reviewers hate "I Robot" for reasons I can't fathom? It certainly isn't a dumb movie.
The theme of being wary of false saviors is very biblical as well as politically and culturally astute (see my book co-written with legendary entertainer Pat Boone, “The Culture-Wise Family”).
This Pat Boone?
http://www.boingboing.net/images/boone-hustler.jp...
I bet making negative remarks against Christianity is the only way you can get people to even speak to you, isn't it? you must be one miserable human person, junior. Hope you don't mind if I call you junior, junior. You may call me Ms. Richardson
TimeoSocialist Democrats et dona ferentes
Interesting POV that I had not seen anywhere before. Someone here on BH pointed out the film's writer is a known liberal and that "V" was written and IN PRODUCTION when Bush was president. Following your line of thinking, I suspect the writer/producers, etc., were making a point about Bush – you know, the "Bush lied" propaganda they spilled out for six years. Obama is elected; the film is released and suddenly it looks like exactly what the media has become for Obama, fawning sycophants. Very good point.
The "coincidence" is that tyranny looks like tyranny, whether it comes from Visitors or Obamians.
I just watched the pilot episode of "V," and felt that the political tones condoned a different ideology – it seemed that they were promoting and spurring on insurgencies against malevolent nation-builders.
Yeah, I think Boone clearly beats out the sales records of many thuggish rappers and slutty pop stars.
The irony is that musicians in our century are SO depraved, irresponsible, and Leftist that Boone's conservative streak would now be considered rebellious.
I know. If God doesn't exist, then why is Human Person Jr wasting time railing against him?
Personally, his comments seem to hint at personal doubts about his unbelief.
The irony is that Human Person Jr. also comes off like "liberal sheep" who mindlessly regurgitate talking points instead of provide solid arguments to defend their views.
Thomas_Talionis wrote:
"Roland Emmerich movies are the exception. "
Actually, Emmerich's Independence Day is an anti-oppression, pro-U.S. military sci-fi movie. Otherwise, I agree with you.
Didn't a Planned Parenthood director recently quit her job and is now a pro-life activist?:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/68441827.html
Just pointing out that those with evil pasts can do good later in life.
So, if Boone clean himself up after the 60s, then his sleazy past means nothing now.
Yeah, the hardcore Leftists are a pretty thin-skinned bunch.
Hey, Fred2, if God does exist, you're not showing the correct obeisance by typing "him," rather than "Him."
Please, in future, capitalize all references to God. You didn't get the message? You did? Hmm, that could indicate doubts about your belief.
You may call me anything you wish.
In the halcyon days of Christianity, you could've called me dead. I know it pisses off a lot of folks that they can't murder unbelievers with impunity, as they once could.
You could help me out, if you chose to. Just tell me one prophet or savior who has proved ti be true. I'll gladly give up my skepticism. I'd dearly love to believe, but the Bible is so shoddily put together, you can see the seams. My wife (a good Christian woman) died on Thursday, four days ago. Do you think it pleases me for the Bible to be so unlikely as to be impossible?
I'm guessing you know that Jesus wasn't the first God to die on the old rugged cross, nor the first to be born of a Virgin.
Don't be so lazy. Look around.
In the halcyon days of Christianity, you could've called me dead. I know it pisses off a lot of folks that they can't murder unbelievers with impunity, as they once could.
Since you are okay with being called anything we wish, I'll suggest bigot as a pretty good start.
Of course, you are so convinced you have the One True Way, it will not affect you at all.
You can't kill something that's already dead, pal. You ever heard of nero? Christians don't kill unbelievers. Unbeliever kill Christians. You have quite a skewered view on things and you're wearing blinders.and dang, you're boring.
GLORY!
Note how Human Person Jr. is like "liberal sheep" who mindlessly regurgitate talking points and juvenile insults instead of providing solid arguments to defend his views.
Note how Fred2 is much like a Soviet-style communist in his attempt to portray my political views (which are far right) as liberal, simply because he disagrees with my failure to meet his standards of religiosity.
Further, Fred2 pretends to think that I rail against God. I don't, and Fred2 knows that I don't. This makes Fred2 a liar, in addition to being a communist.
I'm not even sure God exists. Therefore, why would I rail against such an entity? I don't rail against God or any other invisible spirits, whether they be Satan, angels, genies, leprechauns or fairies, etc., etc.. I do, however, criticize the Holy Bible, the Koran and all other so-called sacred texts.
And thanks to all who expressed sympathy for my devastating loss. Oh, wait, that would be no one. Ah, well, I'm a big boy; I'll manage.
You spelled "bigot" correctly, which is a promising indicator.
Most of your mentality pronounce and spell it "biggit."
And thanks for your expression of sympathy for my devastating loss. Oh, wait, that's right, you're a Christian and you don't give a rat's ass what happens to non-believers.
Sympathy? we all make out own personal choice bud. You only fill one grave. You only got one soul. Paying your bill is not anyone's responsiblity but yours. Good luck.
I hope your not under the impression that the people who respond to you are being drawn by your superior intellect. We all know that's in your head and your head alone. You're just a plain annoyance and really, it doesn't take too long to peck out a thought or two on a typewriter and post it under your name. You must be terribley lonely for friends to hang out here choosing to ride on the negative as opposed to the positive. That in itself says a lot about you. Do you have a therapist?
You've exceeded my wildest expectations, LOL.
And I mean that in the worst way.
You're quite a sad case. How powerless and insignificant and out of control does someone have to feel in their actual real lives to be relagated to LoLing at complete strangers on something as remote as the world-wide internet? You should know..
At least you always come in my "spam" box. I appreciate that.
I recently saw the earlier mini series. I wonder if the Obama crew will try to retroactively react to the original "V" and the similarities between then and now.
Would an autopsy as you indicate the snakes or cold blooded reptiles are at the helm of government. You have to wonder to make any sense of the goings on.
Hate to break it to you, but liberals don't like oppressive regimes or collectivism or conformity either. Hence socialist George Orwell writing 1984. Also Serenity and Firefly writer Joss Whedon is a die hard liberal.
Robocop is a clear satire on American conumerism and corporations. Starship Troopers is an even bigger spoof of gung-ho Americans who can't wait to pick a fight with ugly alien bugs and wear Nazi-style uniforms. Rebelling against conformity is usually a liberal storyline.
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