MovieChat Forums > Falling Skies (2011) Discussion > why are the aliens using two methods of ...

why are the aliens using two methods of human control ?

posted 9 years ago by Brentano_Amaroso
4 replies | jump to latest

I've been watching this series from the beginning by renting Netflix dvd's. I'm up to the third season as of 12/11/2015. So, forgive me if there is some information I've yet to see.

But, where I am now, upon viewing the complete control the bugs/probes/bio-implants [ ? ] give the invaders over a human [ over "Hal" and then "Lourdes" ], I'm wondering why do they bother with the harnesses at all ? Why not just put their efforts into trying to infect all the humans with these bugs/probes, take mental/physical control of all humans, and thereby crush the resistance in one bold move ?

Why did they not just start out using the bugs ?

I know the real answer is bad writing since, if they began with the harness thing, they never should have introduced the bug/probe thing. But, since they did, was an in show explanation ever given ?

Any insightful information would be appreciated here.

[–] djevolz 9 years ago

Different strategies and different purposes. The harnessed kids were a method of slave labor and indentured servitude while the eye bugs were meant for spy/espionage.

[–] FinalFight 9 years ago

If I'm not mistaken the harnesses also granted them abilities like super strength and eventually turned them into skitters while the bugs didn't.

Aside from bad writing there isn't really a good explanation why they didn't just send out a bunch of those bugs and infect as many humans as possible. This was a big threat against the resistance since they had a difficult time detecting/defending against infection.

[–] Brentano_Amaroso 9 years ago

to djevolz »
what you said is something to think about since even though the harnessed kids were "completely" under the aliens control their harness made them easily detectable and therefore bad for espionage while the bug infected where less detectable, they seemed to have moments of clarity --even resistance to the control-- which would make them less effective for slave labor.

FinalFight »
What you said ! Plus, having watched more, I now suspect that the harnesses may also provide protection from the energy grid weapon.

Still, infecting as many humans as possible would have crippled any human resistance. Controlled people could have their bugs replaced with a harness later on if a harnessed person was seen as a better servant. So, there is no good explanation for why they did not go there.

[–] fredshome 9 years ago

The parasite control method has to be tailored to the genetic profile of each individual. They outline this in the series.
So it can't be used on a large scale.