The SciFi Diner Podcast Ep 505 – V: The Miniseries Retro Review

In this retro review, V: The Miniseries is revisited as one of the most ambitious and unsettling science-fiction events of early 1980s television. What begins as a classic alien-arrival story quickly reveals itself as a sharp allegory for propaganda, authoritarianism, and moral complacency—wrapped in sleek red uniforms and reptilian smiles.

The hosts explore how V combined blockbuster spectacle with surprisingly mature themes, from media manipulation and collaboration to resistance and personal courage. They discuss the cultural impact of the miniseries, its unforgettable imagery, and how its Cold War anxieties still resonate decades later. While some effects and pacing show their age, the emotional weight, performances, and bold storytelling continue to stand out.

Ultimately, V: The Miniseries earns its place as a genre landmark—one that dared to ask uncomfortable questions beneath the surface of prime-time science fiction and remains disturbingly relevant today, making it a perfect candidate for a nostalgic deep dive on The SciFi Diner Podcast.

Scott