Executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, the ten-episode, 20-hour miniseries Taken was one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by cable TV's Sci-Fi Network, ultimately costing 40 million dollars — a price that proved well worth it, inasmuch as the series posted the network's highest-ever ratings. Covering a period from 1947 to the present, the story focused on three different families, each of whom was profoundly affected by extraterrestrial visitation. The Keys family was headed by WWII bomber pilot Russell Keys (Steve Burton), who spent virtually his entire adult life haunted by his "close encounter" with aliens. The Clarkes were originally represented by lonely Texas waitress Sally Clarke (Catherine Dent), who was impregnated by a charming stranger (Eric Close) who turned out to be an alien survivor of the Roswell crash. And the lives of the Crawfords were dictated by ruthless Army officer Owen Crawford (Joel Gretsch), who was determined to prove that the government had covered up the truth about Roswell by dedicating his life to tracking down all space aliens and their half-human descendants. The story was narrated by Allie Keys (Dakota Fanning), a "hybrid" child of the present day, whose story determined the outcome of the final episodes. Boasting impressive computer-generated special effects and eye-popping facial makeup, Taken was seen over a two-week period, beginning December 2, 2002, and ending on December 13.

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The story is broken up into 10 episodes:

1.) "Beyond the Sky", set in 1947, the first episode introduces the audience to three families whose lives will be forever changed by alien abduction, goverment cover-ups, and a series of events is put into motion that will effect future generations of these families for years to come.

2.) "Jacob and Jesse", set in the early 50's, these two boys are introduced to the series. Jacob, a boy who is half alien/half human, is sought out by the military for his unique abilities. Jesse, the son of an abductee is taken for the first time.

3.) "High Hopes", set in the late 50's, the story continues with Owen Crawford, top officer behind the military's investigation into the U.F.O phenomenon, attempts to capture Jacob, and fails. Later, he is approached by Jesse Keys and discovers that both Jesse and his father have an alien implant in their brain.

4.) "Acid Test" Owen's sons learn of their father's involvement with the military cover up of extra-terrestrial contact when they discover the remains of the crashed ship in a safe within the father's office.

5.) "Maintenance" Eric Crawford takes over his father's work when Owen dies suddenly of a heart attack. He continues his father's search for Jacob Clarke and Jesse Keys, the latter of whom disappeared from inside a military bunker during one of his abduction incidents.

6.) "Charlie and Lisa" Charlie, the son of Jesse, and Lisa, daughter of Jacob, are brought together by their alien abductors, and Lisa conceives a child, a little girl with extraordinary powers.

7.) "God's Equation" Charlie and Lisa learn about their daughter Allie's powers while trapped in a dangerous situation. Mary Crawford, grand-daughter of Owen Crawford, learns of the little girl and begins to make plans to take her.

8.) "Dropping the Dishes" General Bears kidnaps Allie in an attempt to lure the aliens to him. Realizing that Allie is an alien/human hybrid, and knowing that the aliens protect their own, he beleives they will come for her.

9.) "John" Charlie and Lisa conspire to save Allie from the military, and in so-doing, they learn of their daughter's immense and amazing powers.

10.) "Taken" Allie learns who she really is-an alien/human hybrid, and she is forced to make the most difficult decision of her life, a choice that will forever change her life and that of her family.

The series combines state-of-the-art special effects with a story that is both compelling, entertaining, and high spirited. Such a major undertaking might not have worked even 10 years ago, but with the use of computer animation, the fantastic world of "Taken" is brought beautifully to life.

The story plays a little like an elaborate X-Files Episode, and not without good cause....the material is certainly similar. However, it is treated with a level of intelligence that really captures the imagination of the audience. Taken won the 2003 Emmy for best mini-series, an accomplishment well earned by the cast and crew of this enjoyable and massive film.

68 of 69 found the following review helpful:

I had NO interest in a show about Alien Abduction, but then-May 17, 2003
By Tony Earl "tonye"
...flipping the channels something caught my eye and I stopped and not realizing what I was watching found myself mesmerized and enchanted by the quality of story, writing, acting, cinematagraphy--everything! I was hooked. I had avoided Taken because I have no interest yet another story about alien abductions, it's been so over done that it's a cliche, so when I realized what I was watching (surprise, surprise) I promptly called my friends and told them to watch it if they could. It was great; I was wrong to have avoided it!

It captured my imagination from the first episode to the last (though it did start to drag a bit in the middle). Still, I'm here looking to see if it's on DVD so I can order it. I don't love a show enough to want to buy it very often! This is one.

When I later realized that it was Spielberg, everything fell into place. It explained why Taken was top quality, working beautifully even with a cliche for a starting premise. What a glorious mini-series. Buy it, if that's what you have to do to see it!

52 of 59 found the following review helpful:

Steven Spielberge Presents TakenMar 31, 2003
By Tony Jaczko
I hardly ever watch commercial television due to those long delays between scenes. One day flipping through the channels I came across "Taken". It was close to the end of the episode. I was completely absorbed by the few minutes I had seen. Naturally a commercial came on promoting the Steven Spielberg presents taken marathon that weekend. Amazed by the story line and the cast I was propelled to spend the entire weekend watching this series on sci-fi. After two twelve hour days I wanted more, I didn't want the story to end. Now I have been "Taken" by a story of past and present events about UFO's and a cast of outstanding magnitude.
In the last episode I noticed the promo for the release of Taken on DVD in 2003 more importantly the first part which stated
"More secrets will be revealed" I will certainly be one of the first of many to be online to purchase Taken on DVD. I also hope this will not be the last of Taken I believe the story has the potential to be more then a miniseries. I believe the return of Allie and all that she has learned of things to come would make for a great movie and the start of another great series and if anyone can pull it off, it's Steven Spielberg. And if any actress can mesmerize us to continue to follow the story, Dakota Fanning can.

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:

Something that restored my faith in TV seriesMay 09, 2003

Taken was one of the greatest TV events ever. It not only had stunning visual effects and good actors, IT HAD A GOOD STORY LINE TO IT. The series did not need to have 40 minute shows that allude to pop culture. It was beautiful. The series had a great plot line that carried the stories of the three major families together in order to create the spectacular finale. The mini series was fantastic and gave me some hope the tv shows can have good acting, great visual effects, and a plot at the same time. Tell Lucas to take a hike: he had a bunch of good actors for his star wars junk but he didn't let them act. Taken does not overwhelm you with special effects. The special effects were used to enhance the tension and suspense that came from the plot. Please put the series out on DVD!!!

25 of 28 found the following review helpful:

Carried Away !Mar 26, 2003
By Pieter de Rooij
Hi everybody 'out there',

I hardly watch series on television. Still, for a period of ten weeks the Steven Spielberg-event 'Taken' -broadcasted on BBC 2- got me hooked! The topic of 'alien abduction' might be a very tricky one, but fact and fiction were handled satisfactory. The idea to depart from a well known historical event -the Roswell case in 1947- and to relate this to the story of three families, spanning more than three generations and more than 50 years of American history, is simply great. As I watched the series I saw the unfolding of a fascinating beautiful story (with several milestones of history looming in the background) while at the same time I could easily relate to the three portrayed families, as if I was watching my favourite soap opera. It was good drama, offering not only fascinating weird stuff and people (alien abductions, spacecrafts, genetic engineering, mad scientists, the obsessive nature of the Crawford family), but also the joy and the burden that goes well with relationships: love, friendship, romance, betrayal and adultery.

The characters were a real treat. Very entertaining! And who could expect otherwise? A plot dealing with alien abduction will always invite some weirdo's to arrive on the scene sooner or later.

Script-writer Leslie Bohem did a great job. I think we owe it much to Bohem's contribution that 'Taken' is a compelling, fascinating, coherent and consistent fifteen hour television show. An immense effort! Also much praise for Dakota Fanning's fantastic and sometimes deeply moving performance. In the last four episodes she plays the bright, intelligent 9 year old girl Allie Keys. She was absolutely brilliant!

Throughout the story Allie also appears in a 'narrative role', reading her thoughts from her diary, pondering on the "how's" and "why's" of daily behaviours and human fate. I liked her comments on 'human endeavours'. This 'narrative element' -handled with care by Leslie Bohem- worked really fine for me.

As her name 'Allie Keys' already suggests, Allie is the strange key figure of the drama. Although Allie looks and acts 'human' in every way, she has a unique genetic makeup: she's a mixture of human and alien DNA. This mix of DNA makes her more than the sum of its parts: it endows her with superhuman powers. She can manipulate time and she can manifest thought, among other things. For the aliens she becomes 'an unqualified success', representing the next step in their evolution. In order to create someone like Allie, abducting and researching people was necessary. Achieving this goal seems to be their number one priority and they don't seem to care much about the 'collateral damage' they inflict on their human victims for many decades. Three successive generations of the Crawford family -in charge of a secret USA-government/army-project concerning alien abductions- are unceasingly trying to understand the aliens' intentions.

In the end the aliens' experiment turns out to be very meaningful for humankind as well. Allie's innate goodness as well as the use of her powers for the benefit of people around her transforms those people's lifes. In this regard Allie shows characteristics of a messianic figure. Like almost all messianic figures Allie passes through a severe crisis, a period of retreat -in this case a coma that blocks her off from normal human conditions and surroundings- before she can face up her new mission and destiny. People that have been 'touched' by her 'good works' will eventually gather and become her followers/admirers before she 'takes off'. The last two episodes manifest strong religious elements. A lot of events seem to refer to the biblical New Testament. Let me name a few:
*the 'supernatural' way -via alien, non-human intervention- in which Allie is conceived, resembling the 'divine intervention' prior to the birth of Christ
*the alien John -Allie's great-grandfather- comes as a 'messenger', reminding Allie of her destiny, as -likewise- John the Baptist did for Christ
*Allie's uncle Tom Clarke becomes a 'believer' after years of disbelief and scepticism towards alien abduction. In a way Tom resembles the apostle Thomas who eventually becomes a believer in the message of Christ
*before she leaves, Allie frees her followers-admirers of tracking devices put in their heads by aliens, devices that have ruined most of their lives. In this scene Allie's admirers bleed out of their noses, as if they all in fact spill their blood for Allie... a variation on Jesus' Last Supper with his Apostles?
*there's the betrayal-denial of Allie after she has left with the aliens: when interrogated by a soldier, one of Allie's most fervent admirers -a man whose life was transformed by her- denies that he knew her, just like the apostle Peter denied Christ in a very similar situation
*after Allie has left with the aliens her mother Lisa is convinced that her daughter will return to Earth again, just like Christ is believed to do so (or do Lisa's words here only refer to the possibility of a sequel of 'Taken'?)
*the close of the last episode shows 'believer' Tom Clarke handing over Allie's diary to her mother Lisa, the book with Allie's thoughts on humanity. To me this seemed like referring to 'the Gospel of Allie' that's left behind for the benefit of mankind

I don't have a clear opinion about alien abductions (How could I? So far, I've never been abducted), but I do believe there's more out there beyond the sky. The universe with its billions of stars is simply too big to have only room for us. But we'll probably never find out about this. What really matters is to keep in mind Allie's 'last thoughts' at the close of the final episode: it's more important to keep asking questions than knowing all the answers. While I am writing this, the dvd-box has not been released yet, but I already look forward to give 'Taken' a re-run on my dvd-player.

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