Yesterday I wrote about spending part of my weekend attending a grade school reunion at St. Michael’s in Flushing, NY.

Well, the rest of my weekend was spent at New York’s Comic Con (on behalf of my JWKMedia/Creative Universe endeavors). While there I treated myself to watching a preview of the new season of ABC’s V (a reboot of the iconic NBC space invader show from the 1980’s). The event featured a panel discussion that included three cast members (Morena Baccarin, Laura Vandervoort and Jane Badler) and executive producer Steve Perlman.

V, which chronicles a growing resistance to the rule of what at first seems a benevolent alien regime, is, in my opinion, probably the most compelling of all the epic sci-fi dramas that have debuted in the shadow of the inimitable Lost. Its preview reel promises a second season (set to launch sometime in November) that is even more impressive than the first.

The show is particularly worth noting to Catholics because of the character of Father Jack Landry (Joel Gretsch), a Catholic priest who is one of the first humans to see through the veneer of the attractive but treacherous Visitors. Not since M*A*S*H‘s Father Mulcahy has a priest been portrayed in such a positive way on television. And, these day’s particularly, such a depiction is something to be grateful for.

Beyond the priest angle though, V also is an intriguing exploration of the dangers of placing our faith in technology and cold intellect over and above traditional concepts of God and morality.

At a time when so much of television says absolutely nothing — or even denigrates the idea of saying something — V is unfolding as a modern-day parable on the value and fragility of human freedom and the idea that our dignity is not bestowed upon us by a benevolent government which, then, also has the power to take away those things. Of course, as Christians, we believe that human freedom and dignity are given to us by God, not governmetn (alien or otherwise) — an idea represented here by Father Jack.

V is not preachy. It’s primarily entertainment — but it does make you think about such things. I’m looking forward to its return.

                                                             ***
The search
for Steven Mayer of Great Neck goes on. Some 2000 volunteers reportedly
turned out to help in the search on Sunday — in itself giving hope to his
distraught family. Any and all volunteers are appreciated. Please call 347-927-7701 for more
volunteer info. Let’s continue to pray for his safe return and for his
family.

  

                      Steven Mayer, 65, of Great Neck

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