KOOL TV CLASSIC IMAGE: THE DARK SIDE OF PARADISE - 'LOST'

Another side of hell? The survivors of LOST. Image: ABC TV.

It may have sharply divided fans and critics alike with its wrap up finale episode, but the fantasy/drama of the stranded survivors of the doomed Oceanic Flight 815 - LOST - remains one of US TV's greatest achievements-exceptionally well cast (so few modern series ensembles get this crucial factor so right) and inspirationally written (kudos to Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse for surviving the long haul and taking so many spot-on story-telling risks), beautifully made by a dedicated team within the stunning vistas of Hawaii (putting the holiday hotspot back on the map as a place to make Hollywood entertainment). The opening episode's spectacular and frightening plane crash alone remains one of the best and most exciting, edge-of-your-seat sequences achieved in television ever.

And with polar bears, "The Others", the Dharma Initiative, submarines, time-warps, flashbacks and flash forwards, the mysterious Jacob and "Old Smokey" soon becoming a compulsive part of the shows rich tapestry (and a firm fixture capturing modern pop culture), within a place where anything could and did happen-forcing our heroic and vulnerable characters to undergo many critical life-altering decisions, LOST proved itself far and above any previous Robinson Crusoe-ish ideas seen on the big or small screen...

Catch the epic series now, on the UK incarnation of NETFLIX: Watch Lost Online | Netflix

A PROPERTY TO DIE FOR! '666 PARK AVENUE'

Elegant devilry by the Dorans (Terry O'Quinn and Vanessa Williams-left) reaches out to the young cast of the new supernatural/drama hybrid 666 PARK AVENUE. Image: ABC TV. 

I think that scientist have been lying to us. I think that the first human clone has been achieved and it's Terry O'Quinn! He just seems to be everywhere these days, and in all the top US TV shows, from HAWAII FIVE-O to FALLING SKIES. But, the good thing is that O'Quinn is also a terrific character actor and his performances in these shows, and past classics like MILLENNIUM and LOST, have always helped to elevate the quality level, something which I hope he, along with lovely co-star Vanessa Williams (playing his glamorous on-screen wife), will bring to the DEVIL'S ADVOCATE inspired television remake, with probably a lot of glossy, soapy DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES incident and beautiful people thrown in for good measure: 666 PARK AVENUE, from ABC TV, and coming soon to UK TV. Carrying on the dark and naughty tradition established by Al Pacino as the Devil, or someone/something very near him/it, is always going to be a hard act to follow, but O'Quinn, as super smart and immensely wealthy businessman Gavin Doran, can do mercurial evil very nicely-remember his final seasons turn as the Smoke Monster/the alternate John Locke in LOST?

Trailer: 666 Park Avenue On ABC (Trailer-3D) - YouTube

Created by Gabriella Pierce, and from her original popular book, the series involves a young well-to-do pairing (re: annoyingly attractive and body toned than you average normal human beings!)- Rachael Tayor as Jane Van Veen and Dave Annable as Henry Martin- soon discovering things going bump in the night beyond the bedroom, and their noisy and varied residents, when they take managership of a desirable Manhattan apartment building-the Drake- that just might be under the control of a mysterious supernatural force, courtesy of its owners, the Dorans. Bad enough that such on-screen stereotyped rich people can be so influential, evil and cruel, but giving them dark powers, too? Well, that's the end of the world in my book, baby!

Also starring Erik Palladino, Robert Buckley, Samantha Logan, Mercedes Masohn and TV baddie veteran Nick Chinlund, so memorable as death fetishist Donny Pfaster in an early episode of THE X-FILES, expect mild scares, occasional sexiness-the best that you'll get on network TV anyway, political and society in-fighting, and the odd bit of feminine super-bitchiness from the New York elite, alongside no doubt multiple character plot strands that may be the hit-or-miss mark on the shows future beyond seven (so far) episodes. Still, whatever happens, I'll be at least watching the pilot episode to see O'Quinn enjoying himself!

BATTLEGROUND EARTH! 'FALLING SKIES' SEASON TWO ARRIVES IN THE UK...

Balance of power? A decisive meeting between Alien and Human in Season Two of sci-fi war drama FALLING SKIES. Images: TNT/FX.

Making a promising first season impression, enough to win over the ratings race against Steven Spielberg's other competitive show, the pretty much universally trashed Dino-epic TERRA NOVA, the alien invasion saga FALLING SKIES, created by Robert Rodat, returns exclusively to the UK's FX HD channel from tonight for a brand new set of ten exciting episodes, of which the survival stakes have never been higher for mankind and our main band of heroes- the grizzled and exhausted 2nd Mass- in their weapon atrophied war against the Skitters and their various incarnations of flesh and metal-all of them deadly and all yucky looking! Last seasons noteworthy finale saw our main hero, college teacher turned warrior Tom Mason (a noble and relatable performance from Noah Wyle) forced into a meeting with the alien race after their first major skirmish caught the enemies attention in a big way-no longer the inconsequential insects easily taken out in their first sneak attack. As the new series starts, three months have passed since that genuine Close Encounter, and Tom eventually returns. But is he the same man that he was before after the incredible, life altering experience? And can his family, friends and co-fighters rely on his judgements any more?

Second Time Around for our 2nd Mass heroes and heroines.

The alien firepower continues its assault on planet Earth.

One of the eerie teaser posters for the new season. 

Trailers: Falling Skies Season 2 - Official Trailer - YouTube
Falling Skies Season 2 Trailer - YouTube
Falling Skies Season 2 - YouTube

In a new season already acclaimed by US critics for its leaner, meaner, stronger storytelling (under the guidance of new producer Remi Aubuchon), look out for bigger, bolder action sequences, more character development for the main and supporting cast (including Tom's once abducted child, Ben, and his integration back into humanity as a fierce, revenge fuelled resistance fighter and series rogue anti-hero/trouble maker John Pope (Colin Cunningham, in a stand out role), who wants out from his capture by the 2nd Mass), more on the alien backstory and their motives/plans for Earth, and the welcome guest star inclusion of LOST/HAWAII FIVE-O's Terry O'Quinn, who brightens any series he's attached to, as Wyle's once mentor, Arthur Manchester. Oh, and another new face to watch out for is Brandon Jay McLaren, joining the series for at last seven episodes as mechanic Jamil Dexter.

More about the aliens and their unique abilities is promised this season.

Join the official FACEBOOK page: Falling Skies
About - Falling Skies - Shows - FXUK.com
Moon Bloodgood And Colin Cunningham Talk 'Falling Skies' Season 2
Exclusive: Connor Jessup of 'Falling Skies' talks Terry O'Quinn, season 2 - National Falling Skies | Examiner.com‘Falling Skies’ trailer for new comic | Shelf Life | EW.com

Season One of FALLING SKIES is out now on UK DVD (though a Blu-ray set is noticeable by it's absence!) 

Look out for FALLING SKIES continued presence on KOOL TV soon...