A sequel to the 1953 George Pal film The War of the Worlds which had shown the effects of a Martian invasion and in the end showed them succumbing to simple bacteria.

The TV series picks up the story thirty-five years later when it emerges that the aliens were merely hibernating and have been revived by exposure to radioactive waste which has killed the bacteria. Led by scientist Harrison Blackwood (adopted son of the film's Clayton Blackwood), a secret unit is quickly assembled to defeat the aliens. The military support was ably provided by Colonel Paul Ironhorse.

A revamped second season saw a number of characters killed off as well as introducing a new group of aliens.

The first season in particular is pretty good, and it's helped by re-using the designs and effects created for the movie.