This is another under the radar gem and is one of the movie tie in TV shows to me that actually work and this show was way it became a common thing; it's not trying to imitate it's predecessor but becoming it's own thing. For one thing it takes place after the 50's film which I think is cool, making this show in a way a sequel. Sure it doesn't exactly surpass the classic 50's film but it's not trying to which to me is a good thing.I really like the production value, for TV they really did well. From the make up effects of the aliens down to some gore effects which I was surprised they got away with for TV at that time; limbs getting torn off, alien hands coming out, eyes gouged out, aliens melting. But that to me is awesome because it shows this show isn't afraid to take chances. OK, some effects are a bit dated and some aren't up to par but they it was the late 80's and it's television what are you going to do.I like two of the different into themes which I think are solid because both have their own tone which reflects the season's and personally it's something I which most TV shows would do often change their theme in each season.I really like both plots for the show which are the basic covert silent invasion plots which to me I like more and I think are a lot more thrilling because you see the aliens initiate intelligence more than just their weapons and tech all the time, which to me I find even more dangerous. Yeah it's does sort of takes it's cues from John Carpenter's "The Thing" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" with the idea of aliens taking on human identities to look and act like us. Yeah nothing really new but everything done right. I'll admit when I saw this show when I was about 8 this show was kinda scary, the idea of aliens that can disguise themselves as us and we would never know if the next person we pass by is one of them; this I'll admit made me a little paranoid for a while.The characters are solid, few characters stand out I like let alone are both very diverse. Ironhorse is my favorite, he is just awesome, I remember as a kid I wanted to grow up to be as tough as him (and I am for the record). His character is kinda a bad ass from the amount of aliens he wastes and how he does it, my favorite is when he uses a tomahawk to brain one of them. But I like that he has sort of this really dry sort of strange charisma and mannerism.Norton Drake, His character is great because he's a paraplegic but he isn't helpless. He's sort of like Oricle from the DC Comics, like her what he lacks in his legs he more than makes up for in his intelligence, he is a master at the computer. But also he is capable of kicking serious ass too from his martial arts skills in Arnise Stick Fighting, and we get to see him use it.Kinkaid, the fact he's played by Adrian Paul makes it all the more cool since I'm a fan of the TV show "Highlander". Also on a side note the actor that plays Norton was also in "Highlander" as well.The action is solid/decent, you got some good/decent shootouts as well as a few good alien kills. But really this is more a suspense thriller and this show has some really good suspense. From just the sense of paranoia, dark atmosphere, and feeling of dread as the plans of the invaders escalates and the human team isn't getting steps closer to stopping them.But what really makes this show stand out is that it's really dark because the good guys don't always win which was rare at the time for most shows even alien invasion stories. Sometimes they would have a victory but it would be an incomplete one because sometimes at the end of an episode they discover the aliens have retrieve on crucial piece of the puzzle they need. Which all the more made this group feel human and made you want to win, hopping they'll score a victory or do even better next time; which is a feeling I don't get much and I like that.The only problem I have is the series really feels uneven. Don't get me wrong I think the fact that you have a new plot line and new aliens to contend with, is a cool idea. Having one every season I felt keeps things fresh and it was something that hasn't really been done for most TV shows at the time. But I just felt that they went with this too soon because we never really had or even hear how the first plot was resolved.I think killing off two major characters that were my favorites was stupid and an insult. This was really just an excuse just to change up the character dynamic. I'll admit this move indeed alienates even polarizes fans, depending on which season you like more. I'd love to see a revival of this, may'be make the new series take place after the current Speilburg film "War of the Worlds". I don't know it's just a thought, but with the current movie tie in shows like "Fargo", "From Dusk till Dawn", etc. I see no reason for this to happen, just a thought.Overall, it's a solid sci-fi series, this is one hidden alien tripod that is worth a ride.Rating: 3 stars

The first season wasn't the best sci-fi had to offer, but without it, the second most awesome season wouldn't have been as awesome a story. you need the back story to understand a bit of what's happening in the second season. Most television, with rare exception, sci-fi shows are usually predictable: either they're too preachy, too political, or very little attempt at a viable story line or cohesive & continuous story throughout with many ending without actually ending. This one, even with the less than perfect 1st season, had an incredibly deep & thoughtful story line that had a continuous line from start to finish. It must be watched completely if it can to be best understood. I only hope they release the 2nd season on DVD as they've done the first. I've only a remaining playable few episodes scattered on VHS that are steadily becoming more & more unwatchable.

Ugh what can I say here. I liked this show I really did. Season 1 was pretty good. And overall it was a great concept.Then came season 2.I don't mind the idea that the aliens turned the tables and now our hero's had to fight an uphill battle that much. In all honesty it gave the series a more gritty tone it had lacked. I also don't mind the deaths of several of the characters from season 1 it gave the show an air of jeopardy. It upped the stakes.But really after the season change the show just plain stunk. It was depressingly slow, and boring.Now onto my main beef here. The DVD set of season 1. What a hunk of crap. Who was in charge of this transfer? It looks like they transfered directly from VHS (actually I have some episodes on VHS that are clearer than these DVD's are) with no clean up what so ever. This is the worst set I have ever purchased by far. The images are not clean, but distorted and barely watchable. NOt to mention their actually edited episodes. Cause the first episode has not even been restored to it's original airing cut that included Dr. Blackthorn as a child watching the war machines fall.Avoid this DVD set at all costs. That is not a warning I've ever issued EVER!

I am impressed with some of the reviews on the series, "War of the Worlds The Second Invasion" was a great and modest series based on the HG Wells novel and the movie in 1950's. Its sad to see that its taken about sixteen years or so for people to catch on to the fact that this was a great series, but in retrospect, it shows how of our culture is of here unable to appreciate a good thing until it's good.The series ran for 42 episodes, and it premiered with a 2 hr movie, which gained some success and it gained popularity as the series went out. The series had some interesting plot lines and twist.For instance, episode six which I saw again called "An Eye for an Eye" uses the clever story tbat the fake broadcast by Orson Welles on Martian Invasion was NOT a fake but FACT and the government covered it up in 1938. Interesting and that sums up the whole show interesting and entertaining. We at first just get a short look at the Aliens, through a 3d like view like in Terminator movies. We then in several shots see the full alien body, more than the original movie in the 50s. Creator Greg Strangis who is listed in the opening theme of each episode, deserves a lot of credit for bringing this series to light. He gave us a continuation of the movie and gave us an intriguing array of episodes, thoughts and dilemmas to ponder There is also a strong resemblance between Dr. Harrington and Fox Mulder (X Files). I mean the comparison is uncanny. At first no one believes Harrington's story that Aliens have come back to life, likewise everyone thought Fox Mulder was crazy with his UFO and paranormal research.. Harrington's parents were killed by Aliens. Fox Mulder's sister was abducted by aliens. Interesting parallels eh? Chris Carter who created the Xfiles probably in some part borrowed the ideas for that show from here.The series does also take its jab at the military and how they always cover up alien happenings. In fact the aliens use this to their advantage like in episode 7 "Second Seal" where theyuses as hosts the bodies of Army personel to attack a base and gather weapons. There is also an ode to the original movie as the original Martian Spaceships are used commonly in the series.The acting is great too. Jared Martin as Dr. Harrison Blackwood, who is one of the first to discover the alien invasion is great. At first he is portrayed as a science nerd, but as time goes on, he can really kick butt. The writers in the second season made him more darker given him a beard, and darker look. Lynda Mason Green as Suzanne McCullough is great too as is Richard Chavez as Lt. Ironhorse. The first season is great though we do see a lot of "recycled footage" to essence save money on episodes, but oh well, its still a great series to watch, and for all you Highlander fans, will appreciate the appearance of Adrian Paul in the second and final half of the season.The series has not been released officially on DVD, although people have been selling DVR copies converted from VHS, however, a word to the wise, sometimes these transfers are of low quality and I wouldn't fork over the 50 or 80 dollars some people ask.