Falling Skies is now officially more than half way through it's second season and with it we get the episode, "Homecoming". As I have often blogged before the test of family unity is often explored in Falling Skies and that theme is no different in this particular episode. The title, "Homecoming" suggests an end of trials of sorts and a return to normalcy that one should get when one "comes home".
Unfortunately, that is far from true for the 2nd Mass and the word "normal" rarely applies.
Let's start with the relationship between Tom and Anne. (Above image courtesy of VaginaCon.com and is perfect for my discussion.) It seems Tom and Anne's relationship has moved to the next level. They have built a "home" of sorts despite the vagaries of war and find solace in each others company. I'm all for this because I find nothing wrong with two mature people with common needs seeking the reassurance of love amidst the turmoil of war. Sadly, this seems tenuous at best when the stress over how to treat the infected Capt. Weaver spills over and Tom reverts to his prior relationship and calls Anne, "Rebecca". This shatters the illusion of this relationship and despite Tom's efforts to patch things up later and uneasy truce is settled upon.
Homecoming denied.
The most overt example of a "Homecoming" is the return of Karen to the fold. In my previous blog post I wondered if the return of Rick as a "reborn" or Lazarus like figure was portentous of the return of the other children (Read A Skitter Call to Prayer.) and that seems to be the case as many of the harnessed children were found in the woods with Karen the only survivor. (Not much of a homecoming for those other children!) Yet despite the obvious affection that Hal still has for Karen, we eventually find it all a ruse as Karen is linked to Ben instead and she not the person she used to be. She's a Trojan Horse of sorts and her inclusion into the fold is also illusory and short lived.
Homecoming denied.
The character of Ben has been a conflicted one ever since he returned to his family and the 2nd Mass. The group as a whole is suspicious of him and their trust in him is at a pitiful low. He's mostly reviled and insulted behind his back. Even Ben is suspicious of himself and is well aware he is not the person he used to be. His harnessed enhanced body sets him apart and he is uncomfortable in his own skin and with the others. Even in within his own family. When we learn of the connection between Ben and Karen and we, as the audience, become suspicious of Karen's motives we suspect Ben is a short timer in his familial surroundings.
Homecoming denied.
Ironically, the most authentic homecoming belongs to the prodigal son Pope. (Above image courtesy of Wormholeriders.net) At one time reviled and banished from the group, he returns with a crucial piece of information that the 2nd Mass has been duped by Karen and her Overlord masters. Pope's return marks the most truthful part of the episode and instead of being illusory it exposes the facade that the 2nd Mass has been living behind in their stay in Richmond. This is what Weaver may have been alluding to when he told Tom and the militia that they have become complacent and need to pull up stakes. The illusion in that message turns out to be the very low stockpile of fuel. Something that Weaver didn't confide in with Tom.
Homecoming realized with Pope but denied to Tom and the rest.
So once again we find the family unit tested and the sense of home broken. Our hardy ban hits the road once more with none of the comforting solace they should find in their relationships, family or sense of roots. The diaspora continues and the promised land is no where in sight. What does the future hold?
