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  • TV Series: V: The Series
  • Episode: We Can't Win
  • Starring: Elizabeth Mitchell, Morena Baccarin, Morris Chestnut, Joel Gretsch, Lourdes Benedicto, Scott Wolf, Logan Huffman, Laura Vandervoort
  • Written By: Christine Roum & Cameron Litvack
  • Directed By: David Barrett
  • Network: ABC
  • Series:

V: We Can't Win Review

Loyalties on both sides are called into question

By Kurt Anthony Krug     April 21, 2010


Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell) in V: The Series(2010).
© ABC/Bob Trate

 

“We Can’t Win” is – head and shoulders – the best episode of the re-imagined V, given that it had plenty of edge-of-your-seat, WTF moments. It also had less than the usual approximately 42 minutes (san commercials in an hour-long drama) to make an impact since Lost ran two minutes over its timeslot, which it did, speaking for everyone involved’s commitment to a quality show.
 
The subplot between Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell) and her son Tyler (Logan Huffman) is getting stale, let’s get that on the table first. Fans of the show are sick of seeing her cry every time she tries to get through to her mule-headed son. The issue of Tyler’s parentage has been brought into question, but now Erica swears Joe Evans (Nicholas Lea of X-Files fame) is his dad. Hmmm, is this a quick and dirty way of tying off that loose end since V’s on the bubble?
 
Regardless, they didn’t spend much time on it, mercifully. If anything, it moved in a positive direction as Tyler went to be with his alien girlfriend Lisa (Laura Vandervoort), which moved in a cool direction as Lisa failed the empathy test orchestrated by her mother Anna (Morena Baccarin). The test is given to see who is developing human emotions among her people. If they fail, they die.
 
That was an interesting twist. To up the stakes, not only do Lisa and Tyler get it on in what is their first time, empathy test coordinator Joshua (guest star Mark Hildreth, Wolverine & The X-Men) lies to Anna about the results of Lisa’s empathy test. Joshua, a Fifth Columnist, tells Lisa that she owes him a favor, which he aims to collect.
 
Speaking of the Fifth Column, those poor slobs are getting picked off due to Anna’s plan of getting them out into the open after the “John May Lives” subliminal message in her global telecast from a few episodes back.
 
Kyle Hobbes (guest star Charles Mesure, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) is by far the best part of this series and the most interesting character – and he’s only a recurring character (Hey, ABC, make him a regular already – geez). He gets the award for best quote this week – “Guy’s a lousy shot. No wonder why the Vs are winning.” Michael Ironside, who played anti-hero Hamilton Tyler in the original V, has nothing on anti-hero Hobbes.
 
Erica’s band of freedom fighters manages to capture an assassin working for the Vs named Samuel (guest star Lucas Wolf, Stargate SG-1 and the Homeworld video games). Hobbes is getting all giddy at the prospect of torturing this poor alien, which would make Jack Bauer green with envy. But wait! The kicker is Samuel’s actually a human. He’s working for the opposition because he believes the humans can’t win.
 
Two other subplots that are really heating up involve Chad Decker (Scott Wolf) and Val Stevens (Lourdes Benedicto). Chad’s story opens up with him and Anna about to have sex, but it never gets past Anna’s rough foreplay (she starts choking him) because it’s a fevered dream. He realizes the Vs are here to stay and confronts Anna, asking if she’s here for her people’s benefit or the humans’ benefit after she gives the people of Timbal her race’s blue energy technology (it repairs that country’s infrastructure after it’s devastated by a hurricane). Anna doesn’t answer, but says she needs people she can trust.
 
Val, who’s carrying Ryan’s (Morris Chestnut) baby, a human/lizard hybrid, is on the run from Ryan as her complicated pregnancy worsens. She checks herself into a V Healing Center, which is a scary moment because she is grave danger once Anna learns of the child in her womb. Definitely the stakes are getting upped as the season speeds to its finale.
 
And may the upcoming finale be a season finale, not a series finale.
 
It was mentioned in last week’s review that TV Guide believes that either V or FlashForward will be back for a second season. Sadly, not both. If it can only be one, it should be V, which has been picking up steam since its return from its 5-month exile to hiatus hell. FlashForward, on the other hand, has been lackluster – that’s very unfortunate – as I’m agreeing wholeheartedly with fellow writer Rob Vaux’s reviews.
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COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

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1 
wessmith1966 4/21/2010 6:10:50 AM

I've watched every episode of the series, but just can't seem to get into the show. I can't figure out why. This show is in my viewing wheelhouse; I show love it, but for some reason I'm just "eh." I like a lot of the cast members, but most of the storylines just haven't pulled me into the show.

lracors 4/21/2010 8:05:40 AM

Wessmith man I love this show the only sub-plot driving me nuts is the Mother-Son relationship... other than that i'm really diggin this.  It's not nostalgia for the old show either this is a really good approach of characters running scared on the edge not knowing who to trust and massive paranoia.  Ditto on Charles Measure he owns every scene he's in, make him a regular that guy is bad ass.

ddiaz28 4/21/2010 8:22:26 AM

I'm really enjoying V and hope it gets a second season.  It would suck if it ended for good next week.

DaForce1 4/21/2010 9:20:44 AM

I dumped V (which should stand for "vomitus") after the third episode. It's bad writing, and there doesn't seem to be an actual thought out direction for the series. I watched the orginal 80's series as a kid, and not even nostalgia can get me to watch this piece of sh!t any further than I did.

FlashForward, on the other hand, is actually good as long as the episodes don't focus on the Benford's boring home life. It feels like a series with direction instead of a dusty homage to an 80's tv show.

noahbody 4/21/2010 11:27:21 AM

Yeah you hate the show BF But you still troll the reviews every week....alot of efoort for someone who does not watch.  one  Douche award presented to DaFarce 1 .

I just hope it will be renewed.

Ironside rules all! I think he and Singer should get a cameo.

DaForce1 4/21/2010 1:23:21 PM

"Troll the reviews"? You mean read the reviews to see if the show has changed for the better?

Maybe you should keep your award. I think you earned it.

noahbody 4/21/2010 5:27:52 PM

Nope... it is still yours... hands down.

95% of the reviews and comments on the show are positive yet, every week,  you spout off how you are not watching, the show is boring you, and the show sucks. Then say you only want to see if the show has improved

Whatever.

axia777 4/21/2010 6:07:55 PM

This show kicks ass.  It is way better than the original V from back on the 1980's.  Yes, I watched it when it was brand new on TV.  I was addicited to it back in the day.  But this new version of V is so much better.  Keep it coming!!  I hope it survives until the story is over!

JDK008 4/22/2010 9:17:18 AM

 Great show, great review.  The only thing good about Flash Forward is Dominic M. from LOST.  The story is flat while V knows how to keep it fresh.  But Da Force will just say that this show is dumbed down like he stated 24 was.  I agree with Noah.... Your negativity is ridiculous. Bad writing?  How do you figure?  You obviously don't watch the show.  But then again, you'll just call me a right wing extremist tea-bagger like you did with the 24 review.  Stay classy

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