The Resurrection

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The Resurrection
Season 1, Episode 1
Air date	October 7, 1988
Written by	Greg Strangis
Directed by	Colin Chilvers
Episode Guide
Previous —	Next The Walls of Jericho

"The Resurrection" is the premiere episode of War of the Worlds and the first episode of season 1. It premiered on October 7, 1988.

"The Resurrection" is a double-length episode. For syndication and streaming, it is often split into two separate episodes, respectively titled "The Resurrection, Part 1" and "The Resurrection, Part 2".

Plot

In 1953, a worldwide alien invasion would have eliminated humanity had the extraterrestrial invaders not been vulnerable to the indigenous bacteria on the planet. Now an accident at a dumpsite revives the comatose aliens who then shortly attempt to resume the war they started 35 years ago.

Synopsis

Terrorists attack Fort Jericho, a nuclear waste storage dump. Aliens stored there awaken and "possess" the terrorists. With hundreds of their brethren, they travel in a tractor-trailer to Kellogue United States Air Force Base, where three of their war machines are stored.

At the New Pacific Institute, microbiologist Suzanne McCullough joins Dr. Harrison Blackwood and computer expert Norton Drake to search for extraterrestrials. Norton intercepts an alien radio transmission from Fort Jericho. Harrison and Suzanne rush there. They meet Lt. Col. Paul Ironhorse. Seeing the broken barrels, Harrison realizes the aliens are alive. He tells Suzanne about the 1953 invasion. She takes him to her uncle, General Wilson, who seems unconvinced. Ironhorse and his troops pursue the "terrorists".

Following Norton's radio intercepts, Harrison and Suzanne rush to a country farmhouse, meeting Ironhorse. His Delta Squad assaults the "terrorists" inside, but are all killed or possessed by the aliens, who escape, establishing their headquarters in an abandoned underground nuclear testing site in Nevada.

General Wilson gives Harrison government backing, a secret base called the Cottage and Ironhorse as his watchdog and liaison. Norton's intercepts lead the team to Kellogue Air Force Base to destroy the alien war machines located there. Barely ahead of Ironhorse's possessed soldiers, they plant explosives inside the machines and flee. The explosives destroy the pursuing machines.

Notes

• This series premiere episode includes clips from the 1953 film The War of the Worlds.
• A novelization of the pilot episode was written by J.M. Dillard. While following the same narrative structure of the episode, the book contains characters from the 1953 film and scenes not included in the final cut of the pilot; it also explores more deeply the aliens' political motivations, and emphasizes denial instead of the "selective amnesia" aspect of the plot.
• Not to be confused with the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode of the same title.

Trivia

• It originally aired as a 120-minute episode, but has been formatted as two 60-minute episodes in most subsequent re-airings for scheduling reasons. While many guides list it as a two-parter, its initial airing and release on DVD as one double-length episode should make this the official recognition.

External links

• The Resurrection, Part 1 at the Internet Movie Database
• The Resurrection, Part 2 at the Internet Movie Database
• Thesis: The Resurrection (War of the Worlds 1×01) at TrenchcoatSoft Interactive
• Thesis: The Resurrection, Continued (War of the Worlds 1×01) at TrenchcoatSoft Interactive

War of the Worlds TV Series - Season 1

The Resurrection I The Walls of Jericho I Thy Kingdom Come I A Multitude of Idols I Eye for an Eye I The Second Seal I Goliath Is My Name I To Heal the Leper I The Good Samaritan I Epiphany I Among the Philistines I Choirs of Angels I Dust to Dust I He Feedeth Among the Lilies I The Prodigal Son I The Meek Shall Inherit I Unto Us a Child Is Born I The Last Supper I Vengeance Is Mine I My Soul to Keep I So Shall Ye Reap I The Raising of Lazarus I The Angel of Death