First Wave: 'Joshua'

Trapped in woods as a manhunt is launched to bring him in, Cade captures alien leader Joshua, from whom he learns more of the aliens' background.

This is actually quite an effective episode, with most of it a one-to-one between Cade and Joshua. It does bring some depth of character to both parties which has been lacking up to now, and explains more about who the aliens are (they're called the Gwa, a word which means 'power to overcome' in the alien tongue) and why they are intent on invading.

Prior to this story, they've just seemed like a straightforward invasion force, but this allows a degree of audience sympathy that finally throws something more complex into what was previously a man on the run versus the forces of evil story. This also answers, to a degree, the question of why Joshua let Cade escape in Speaking in Tongues.

On the other hand, there's not much to the story beyond Joshua reeling off various facts about him and his people and Cade being tracked by an easily-fooled tracking squad. A better balance between talk and action would have improved the episode. What we have here though is hopefully a tale that will lead to some interesting developments later in the season. Let's hope this isn't wasted. Oh, and there's another very obvious alien. They've got to conceal these people better...

****

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