charles mesure

The Visitors are back, and they don't come in peace. After seven months away from our screens, ABC's 'V' returns with a vengeance tonight to begin its long-awaited second season, and judging by the first few episodes, it certainly intends to make up for lost time.

TV Squad was among a select group of journalists invited up to the set of the Vancouver-based series last September, and we have plenty of juicy scoop to whet your appetite for the new season before it premieres tonight.

Join us after the jump to get your 'V' fix -- it's far more tasty than eating a rat, we promise.

(S01E09) "What does this mean? I'm pregnant! What about the baby?" - Val to Ryan, after learning that he's a Visitor

I guess it would be pretty startling to learn that the guy you've known for ten years, the guy who's the father of your baby, is an alien with a lizard-like body hiding under his human suit, or "meat suit" as the 'Supernatural' boys call it. Poor Val. What a shock. And a shock for Ryan when she tells him she doesn't want him getting on the train with her.

In one way, I'm worried that she won't have Ryan to protect her, but in another way, she might actually be safer without him. Either way, it's a dismal situation, and Anna won't stop until she has that "mongrel" baby. But doesn't it seem like there would be other half-breed babies, since the Visitors have been living on earth for quite some time now? Anna better prime up some more soldiers, because they have their work cut out for them.

(S01E07) "Let them have this one victory, because I'm about to deliver them a thousand defeats." - Anna, before she sinks into the shiny pool with her little eggs.

Hells bells, Ryan may be a good guy now, but he wasn't always that way. In fact, he was pretty nasty back in the day. When he and the gang went to track down John May's communication device, Ryan spilled the beans to John's stepson James about what really happened ten years earlier. John May's suicide note was a fake.

Oh, and by the way, James, that girl you're hanging out with? Under that human skin, she looks like the Vaal from the planet Gamma Trianguli VI on 'Star Trek.' Hmmm...

(S01E06) "It's time we told him the truth about who he really is." - Joe to Erica, about Tyler

Well, who is he?! Is he supposed to be some sort of warrior a la John Connor, who'll lead the resistance against the aliens? I have no idea, but can't wait to find out. Based on the fact that Tyler seems enamored with the Visitors, it's hard to imagine him as a leader of the resistance. The dynamics will have to change with Lisa; Erica's plan to hide Tyler away at his dad's isn't working.

I've been thinking about where I'd fall in the alien vs. humans war, and I'd definitely be a member of the Fifth Column -- organizing meetings, gathering weapons, training people to fight ... I have no tolerance for any sort of manipulation, and doubt that I'd fall prey to Anna's bliss. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Are you still watching 'V?' Of course, I say "still watching" even though the show hasn't been on in months. I still wonder about that strategy. A new show that debuts with only four episodes and then it goes on hiatus for several months? Did it even have enough episodes/drama to capture the attention of viewers so they're waiting on the edge of their seat for it to return? We'll find out on March 30 when it comes back to ABC.

For the fans who do continue to watch the show, there will be three new characters added for you. Nicholas Lea, who played bad guy Krycek on 'The X-Files,' has been added as Erica's (Elizabeth Mitchell's) ex-husband. Lexa Doig (remember 'Andromeda?' I loved the first season of that show) will play a doctor who is treating Valerie. And Charles Mesure ('Crossing Jordan,' 'Xena') will play a military guy who helps the Resistance.