Rueben's Ramblings

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: Falling Skies Tribute

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After five seasons on the air over on TNT, the post-apocalyptic alien invasion drama Falling Skies came to an end on Sunday night with its triumphant series finale, finding Tom Mason valiantly defeating the Espheni Queen (that giant spider-like monster) and bringing down all of those hideous creatures that have wreaked havoc on Earth for all of mankind.

Fans of the long-running show knew the end was coming; and regardless of how you feel about the series finale, the fact that mankind defeated the Espheni has to make everyone who watched the show feel good, right?

In tribute to the show that provided fans with five seasons of amazing battles, lots of creepy moments, many touching moments and the birth of one crazy-ass Daenerys Targaryen copy-cat daughter – and oh so much more – let’s take a look at just some of the faces from that show and what was the first time ever “we” saw their face:

Noah

Noah Wyle

OF COURSE, he appeared as Boston University History Professor Tom Mason, who became a resistance leader against the alien invaders. A widow with three sons, he fought as part of the 2nd Massachusetts Militia Regiment (aka the 2nd Mass), later becoming the President of the New United States for a short time; and eventually being the lone man to bring the invading monsters to an end.

THE FIRST TIME EVER WE SAW THIS FACE was in the acclaimed 1993 box office film Swing Kids, which was a short time before he became a household name thanks to his long-running role as Dr. John Carter in the medical drama ER. He also starred in the made-for-TV movie franchise The Librarians, which has since been made into a weekly drama that will return for its second season on November 1 (with Wyle acting as executive producer and star).

Drew Roy

Drew Roy

OF COURSE, he starred as oldest Mason son Hal, who was 16 at the time of the alien invasion, he started out as a scout for the 2nd Mass but over the course of the war with the invaders, he became a fierce warrior and his father’s second-in-command.

THE FIRST TIME EVER WE SAW HIS FACE was in small roles in the TV shows Greek, Lincoln Heights and Hanna Montana (depending on your viewing preference and age, of course). He appeared in the box office film Secretariat before landing his role on Falling Skies, and will be seen in the upcoming film Sugar Mountain where he will star alongside Jason Momoa (The Red Road and the upcoming Aquaman) and Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride and Psych).

Moon

Moon Bloodgood

OF COURSE, she starred as Anne Glass (who eventually married Tom Mason and was the mother of the aforementioned Daenerys Targaryen copy-cat daughter), a pediatrician before the invasion and primary doctor to the 2nd Mass.

THE FIRST TIME WE EVER SAW HER FACE was in a blink and you’ll miss it scene in the box office movie Win a Date with Tad Hamilton and she starred with the late Paul Walker in Eight Below, which was then followed by roles in two short-lived dramas Daybreak and Journeyman before she landed a role in Terminator: Salvation and then her role on Falling Skies.

Sarah

Sarah Carter

OF COURSE, she played kick-ass fighter Maggie May, who eventually became an integral member of the 2nd Mass and a love interest (and eventual fiancé) of Hal Mason (not to mention a temporary love triangle between Hal and his younger brother Ben), who was a teenage cancer survivor and former, albeit reluctant member of John Pope’s gang (in the show’s first season).

THE FIRST TIME WE EVER SAW HER FACE were in guest roles on the shows The Immortal, Wolf Lake and Dark Angel before she landed on the short-lived series Black Sash. This lead to guest stints on Smallville and Numb3rs and later a role on Shark before her role on Falling Skies. She is currently appearing in the third season of the DirecTV series Rogue.

Connor and Maxim

Connor Jessup and Maxim Knight

OF COURSE, they starred as younger Mason brothers Ben and Matt (respectively). Ben was taken by the Espheni and was the victim of the spinal harnesses used on many humans; once rescued and with the harness removed, Ben became an important link to the Espheni for the 2nd Mass because of super-human power imbued upon him by the remaining spikes in his back from the harness. Matt, on the other hand, was a young boy at the time of the invasion, but was a pre-teen by the war’s end.

THE FIRST TIME EVER WE SAW THEIR FACES was for Connor in the Australian/Canadian syndicated children’s series The Saddle Club before his role on Falling Skies; and he will be seen in the movie Closet Monster with Isabella Rossellini and Joanne Kelly (Warehouse 13). As for Maxim, he’s been acting for half of his life, starting out in guest spots on Three Rivers and Brothers & Sisters as well as Parenthood and CSI: Miami before being cast in Falling Skies. He can be seen in a recurring role on Chasing Life.

Colin and Will

Not to be forgotten, of course, are Colin Cunningham, who played hard-ass fighter John Pope and Will Patton, who played Colonel Dan Weaver. Both men have long resumes both in box office films and on the small screen.

When you think back on Falling Skies and its five seasons on the small screen, what is the most memorable moment for you; and what was the first time you saw any of these actor/actresses? Please share.

Using her favorite online handle, Rueben is an East Coast-bred gal who is now a permanent Californian and a lifelong tv-oholic. She watches at least 25 TV shows a week, goes to the movies as often as possible, listens to music every waking moment, reads every day and “plays” on the internet every chance she can. Some of her current favorite TV shows are Outlander, Sweet Magnolias, Wednesday, The Mandalorian, The Equalizer, Fire Country, Miss Scarlet, Hudson & Rex, SkyMed, The Rookie, Bridgerton, Cobra Kai, Virgin River, The Witcher, Leverage: Redemption and School Spirits. She is looking forward to the fall TV season, including the return of Outlander, Tracker and The Equalizer and the debuts of the new dramas Matlock, Murder In a Small Town, NCIS: Origins and Cross. Follow her on Bluesky @ruebensramblings.bsky.social or contact her at rueben@nicegirlstv.com. Please also check out Rueben's Ramblings website for even more entertainment news.