The Colony (American TV series) season 1

The Colony is an American science fiction drama television series that premiered on USA Network on January 14, 2016. This entry focuses on season 1.

Synopsis:

Set in a near-future Los Angeles that is under military occupation by a mysterious extraterrestrial force known only as the Hosts, The Colony season 1 follows Will Bowman (Josh Holloway), a former FBI agent, and his wife, Katie Bowman (Sarah Wayne Callies), as they are forced to make difficult choices to protect their family and survive in the new world order. The city is divided into walled colonies, governed by human proxies working for the Hosts.

Will initially joins the Redhats, a security force working for the Transitional Authority, in exchange for information about the fate of his missing son, Charlie, who was separated from the family during the Arrival. Katie, however, secretly joins the Resistance, an underground organization fighting against the occupation. Season 1 revolves around Will's pursuit of the Resistance and Katie's struggle to balance her commitment to the cause with the safety of her family and the need to keep her double life a secret from Will.

Key Characters (Season 1):

• Will Bowman (Josh Holloway): A former FBI agent coerced into working for the Colony Transitional Authority.
• Katie Bowman (Sarah Wayne Callies): Will's wife, secretly a member of the Resistance.
• Alan Snyder (Peter Jacobson): The Governor General of the Los Angeles Colony, a shrewd and manipulative figure.
• Proxy Governor General Helena Goldwyn (Ally Walker): Snyder's superior, representing the Host authority.
• Broussard (Tory Kittles): A former U.S. Marine and a leader within the Resistance.
• Madeline Kenner (Amanda Righetti): Katie's sister, struggling to cope with the occupation and working at the Green Zone.
• Bram Bowman (Alex Neustaedter): Will and Katie's teenage son.
• Grace Bowman (Isabella Crovetti): Will and Katie's youngest daughter.
• Charlie Bowman (Jacob Buster): Will and Katie's son, who was lost during the Arrival and is a significant driving force for Will's actions.

Themes Explored:

Season 1 of The Colony explores themes of:

• Family survival: The lengths people will go to protect their loved ones in desperate circumstances.
• Occupation and resistance: The moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals living under oppressive rule.
• Betrayal and trust: The fragile nature of relationships when loyalties are tested.
• Hope and despair: The struggle to maintain optimism in the face of overwhelming odds.
• The cost of freedom: The sacrifices required to fight for liberation.

Reception:

Season 1 of The Colony received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the performances of the cast, particularly Holloway and Callies, and the show's compelling premise. The series was also commended for its exploration of relevant social and political themes. However, some criticism was directed towards the pacing and the slow reveal of the Hosts' motivations.