Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The new TNT alien series, “Falling Skies,” is mistitled. It should be called “Falling Expectations.” Or “Falling Asleep.”

OK, that’s a little harsh.

But with Steven Spielberg’s name attached as one of the executive producers, much was expected of Sunday’s two-hour premiere, which begins at 9 p.m. on the basic cable channel.

Even more was expected because Robert Rodat (“Saving Private Ryan”) and Graham Yost (“Boomtown,” “Justified”) wrote the first two hours.

And early reviews have practically been as positive as all of the raves for the Spielberg-produced summer movie “Super 8.”

The cast also includes the always appealing Noah Wyle (seen above with co-stars Moon Bloodgood and Drew Roy) in his post-“ER” period and character actor Will Patton, whose face is much more familiar than his name.

Despite the positive advance word, the first two-hours of this eight-hour series (subsequent episodes play at 10 p.m.. Sundays) aren’t so super or revolutionary despite a few strong action scenes and one scare. Spielberg could have done this one in his sleep.

Of course, all the early raves had one expecting TV’s equivalent of “E.T.,” “Close Encounters” and “Super 8,” all rolled into one. It would be wiser to view this as mildly entertaining summer fun, though there isn’t much fun in Sunday’s two hours except for a line about the rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

Neither Wyle nor Patton is required to do any heavy llifting in this film about a resistance team — the 2nd Massachusetts — battling aliens and trying to survive so kids can go back to being kids and history teachers can go back to teaching history rather than making it.

To paraphrase Spiro Agnew, if you’ve seen one alien series trying to survive on special effects and heart you’ve seen them all.

First, I must admit I’m not a big sci-fi fan. I hate most alien series. I bolted NBC’s “The Event” early when it appeared aliens were involved. I never really got into ABC’s “V.”

By now, you’d have to be from outer space not to know the drill when it comes to the set-up of series like this.

In “Falling Skies,” aliens nicknamed Skitters and their robotic attackers are taking over the world for unknown reasons and Americans aren’t too happy about it. The invaders are building large structures around the world and collecting teenagers, which suggests Skitters are either a glutton for punishment or have a plan to humanize them. Kidding.

Wyle plays Tom Mason, a principled teacher who specializes in military history. He’s a widower and father of three boys, one of who is missing and may have been “harnessed” or controlled by the aliens.

Mason seems determined to bore people with his knowledge of the American Revolution and its relevance to how to fight the alien invasion. The only one who seems to want to hear his wisdom is Anne Glass (Bloodgood), an attractive humanitarian pediatrician.

Tom’s oldest boy, Hal (Roy), is a handsome guy who has a hot girlfriend while another religious girl flirts with him for unknown reasons. Well, actually we probably know the reasons.

The human and emotional stories shouldn’t be alien to anyone who is familiar with the practice of throwing soap opera themes (saving dogs, sneaking kisses, finding time to skateboard and play children’s games) in between action sequences.

Patton is Weaver, the leader of the resistance who has about as much use for civilians as big business has for unions these days. Weaver wants the history teacher to follow his orders and find food and weapons before Tom heads off and looks for his missing son. The leader is more impressed by the heroics of a 13-year-old fighter than he is by Tom.

The search is complicated by a group of marauders — led by nasty acting John Pope (Collin Cunningham) — who are involved for unknown reasons. OK, they are apparently looking to take advantage of the alien invasion.

The aliens look like they were built by an erector set. They have lizard hides and six legs and use “Star Wars”-like laser weapons that kill instantly. However, they have an Achilles Heel if anyone can get close enough to shoot them.

After about 45 minutes, I think I know what it felt like to be harnessed — or kept against my will.

Things could get better. They often do after the set-up explains the circumstances and introduces the characters and their dilemmas.  But the first two hours of “Falling Skies” are mostly humor-less and predictable and may make non sci-fi fans quickly grab for the remote control and harness their energies for something more interesting. Like reading a history book.

pergament@msn.com

Be Sociable, Share!

•