All good sci-fi uses the genre to explore current events, social and political issues in a way that allows the viewer to see the world in a new light. I’m not sure how this ever got past the network goons at ABC, but “V” has socialism, idol worship, a biased press and the Obama administration squarely in its sights! In fact, after seeing the first episode of “V”, the Beefboy is wondering if anyone has checked to see if Raum Emanuel has lizard skin beneath his human flesh suit!

Much like our socialist friends, the aliens in “V” are clearly reading Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals”. They have infiltrated positions of power and influence all over the world. By the time the alien spacecraft show up, they have already laid the seeds to destroy the human race. The Visitors promise peace and are proud of their one world government. They come as our saviors, offering us their technology, and literally promising to give us “Universal Health Care!” And no, I’m not making this up.

The Visitors have a charismatic leader too. “Anna”, played by Morena Baccarin, is one of the hottest aliens of all time! As an aside, I tried to create a good Beefboy Gallery of Morena, but for some reason there are almost no hot photos of her available. I’m not sure how, or why, someone as outrageously sexy as Morena hasn’t done a shoot with every men’s magazine on the planet, but it just hasn’t happened Beefanatics… now back to the review.

Much like our own President Obama, Anna threatens to cancel an interview if she’s asked any questions which don’t paint her and the Visitors in a positive light. She’s a hit with the Middle East and Europe too, since she can speak all foreign languages concurrently. She loves being on TV almost as much as Obama, but seriously, not even a fictional alien can keep up with his media schedule.

Besides being the first program on mainstream television that is willing to be critical of our current administration, “V” is smart and sexy sci-fi. The actors do a good job with their roles, the writing is tight and the direction is solid. While “V” is not necessarily exceptional in any aspect, it is much better effort than ABC’s “Defying Gravity.” Most series get better over time when the writers and actors find their voices. If “V” continues to improve (and it could go either way) then it could aspire to excellence.

I can see the possibilities of developing the plot of the “human ambassadors” who are enamored with the Visitors and will be asked to spy on their fellow man. The human resistance (Tea Party types) will have to ride the line between opposing the Visitors while having to fight their own media and government. The traitor Visitors, who sympathize with the humans, are another aspect that holds a lot of potential. Needless to say, there is a lot of room for intrigue and biting commentary, if ABC and the creators have the balls to follow through with the promise of their pilot episode.

And to the executives at ABC: If you can get Morena Baccarin in some lingerie for a Maxim magazine spread, it wouldn’t exactly hurt your ratings. Hell, send her over the Beefcave and I’ll take some pictures of her! Just saying…