It's Official: V Has Been Cancelled

V, No Ordinary Family Cancelled by ABC
We're not going to find out what happens next for Erica Evans and her new allies.

I must admit that this announcement fills me with relief more than anything else. While I was rather forgiving with my ratings, the task of reviewing this series was pretty torturous. V was neither "Lord King Badfic" translated to the small screen nor a storytelling triumph; it was just -- stunningly mediocre. Good ideas were scattered throughout, but the writers never pursued those ideas with any vigor.

At some point in the future - probably after they release the entire series on DVD - I'm going to compose a lengthy episode-by-episode post-mortem for V. I think I need to take this bad boy apart and explain in detail why it just didn't work.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:10 - Mother's Day

Overall: 5.0

Stop introducing new plot threads, writers, and deal with the ones you've already started! And also? Extreme differences in degree usually indicate differences in kind.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:9 - Devil in a Blue Dress

Overall: 6.7

Unfortunately, the writers still haven't figured out how to use their human characters in an interesting way.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:8 - Uneasy Lies the Head

Overall: 6.8

Erica went for the wrong man. Also, the resistance is made of FAIL.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:7 - Birth Pangs

Overall: 7.5

This is a transitional episode for the most part, although there are a few great scenes between the queen V's. Plus, the writers reveal more about Anna's Plan, which is always good.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:6 - Siege

Overall: 9.3

Holy crap! That was awesome. V has finally popped its feature cherry.

DO WANT MOAR LIEK THIS, PLZ. KTHX.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:5 - Concordia

Overall: 7.3

The arc is starting to make at least a modicum of sense, and that is a definite plus.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:4 - Unholy Alliance

Overall: 8.2

I approached this episode with some apprehension after reading about Anna's visit to the Vatican in the recaplet - mainly because I feared that papal infallibility was going to take a hit - but as it turned out, that plot did not fulfill my greatest fears. Actually, on balance, this is the strongest episode of the season so far.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:3 - Laid Bare

Overall: 7.0

The space princess (Lisa) is still an interesting character, and Tyler's still a giant douche.

Unfortunately, this episode temporarily puts aside the metaphysical elements, but we circle back to another one of the show's favorite themes: media manipulation.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:2 - Serpent's Tooth

Overall: 7.0

Some of the thematic undertones here are interesting, but the writing still leaves much to be desired.

NEW!: V (2009) 2:1 - Red Rain

Overall: 6.7

Thanks largely to Anna, V remains one of the best bad shows ever. Notice that I used the word "bad," though. If I'm to take this canon seriously, the writers will have to put more effort into developing their larger story.

Links of Interest: Iron Man & V

Why V Is Awesome: A Pic Spam
by LJ User Darkeyedwolf

This post really amused me when I came across it. I couldn't care less about the "delicious manflesh" or the shipping (as a faithful Catholic, I categorically don't want Jack/Erica to become a reality), and I actually like the rightwing subtext. I'm also not particularly impressed with Erica; in fact, I think she's a joke as a television mother. But there are still some things on which Darkeyedwolf and I agree. I'm completely loving the whole "Two Queens Battle for Supremacy" aspect of the show - and Father Jack is indeed the epitome of preciousness.

Tony Stark Is the New Chuck Norris. Pass It On.
@ Fark.com

It's funny because it's true.

NEW!: V (2009) 1:12 - Red Sky

Overall: 8.7

Curse you, ABC! Maledictions upon your bizarre scheduling decisions! Do I really have to wait until SPRING to find out what the hell Anna has just done?!

Okay, I am now officially addicted to this show. Like most V fans, I'll grant that it's not groundbreaking television - not in the slightest. The writers are not attentive to detail, and only a few individuals in its cast of cookie-cutter Hollywood hotties truly stand out. But day-um! This show is like fast food and candy for the mind: I know it's probably bad for me, but it tastes oh so good. And it doesn't hurt that its political and religious overtones annoy people whose worldview I despise.

This is an awesome, awesome season finale. It doesn't quite make a feature grade, but it is ridiculously entertaining -- and for this show, that's pretty much all we should expect.

NEW!: V (2009) 1:11 - Fruition

Overall: 6.7

This episode works fine as a set-up piece, but it's not especially outstanding as a stand-alone.

NEW!: V (2009) 1:10 - Hearts and Minds

Overall: 8.3

If this show gets canceled just as it's getting good, it'll be a real shame.

NEW!: V (2009) 1:9 - Heretic's Fork

Overall: 7.3

The character work is pretty good here - even excellent in spots - but I do wish the writers would allow Father Jack to be a little more recognizably Catholic.

NEW!: V (2009) 1:8 - We Can't Win

Overall: 7.0

This episode has several high points, but it also makes one wish the writers would move beyond the travails of a small group of (pretty) people in New York.

NEW!: V (2009) 1:7 - John May

Overall: 8.3

We seem to be past the opening crush. The writers are now slowing down the pace, which allows us to connect with some of the characters and learn more about their respective histories.

NEW!: V (2009) 1:6 - Pound of Flesh

Overall: 8.2

This is probably the best episode of the new V we've seen so far.

NEW!: V (2009) 1:5 - Welcome to the War

Overall: 6.7

This series has yet to live up to its full potential. In this episode, however, a few moments towards the end make us cackle with glee. What can I say? Sometimes we are entertained by the strangest things.

Spoilers after the cut.