The Mercury Men

The Mercury Men is a unique and engaging series originating from the Syfy channel. Aired in 2011, this thrilling black and white web series from the renowned Syfy digital pressed the boundaries of what one expects from a modern science fiction series, both in terms of its content and aesthetic style. The show’s creators deliberately paid homage to science fiction serials from the 1950s, leading to anachronistic, homage-filled pieces of media that are as entertaining as they are original.

To begin with, the plot of The Mercury Men navigates the standard terrain of man's struggles with alien forces. However, it manages to present these recurring themes afresh through its backdrop and characterization. Set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh in 1975, this period-specific locale adds an element of historical intrigue to the overall narrative.

The story revolves around the unlikely hero, Edward Borman, an ordinary office worker and an engineer by trade, whose life takes a peculiar turn when ominous extra-terrestrial beings attack his office building late at night. These unidentified forces originate from Mercury, hence the series’ name, "The Mercury Men." The mercury men are on a chilling mission – to project the Earth into the Sun with their gravity-manipulating ray, which is a terrifying concept in itself.

Grounded firmly in this menace is Edward Borman, who becomes the unexpected hero of humanity’s fight against the Mercury Men. However, he is not alone. Alongside him is Jack Yaeger, a secretive and enigmatic lone gunman whose true motives gradually become apparent as we delve deeper into the series. The dynamic and gripping relationship between these two central characters adds further depth to this engrossing sci-fi narrative.

One of the most striking things about The Mercury Men is its aesthetic approach. Preserving the essence of old-fashioned storytelling while simultaneously subverting contemporary sarcasm and cynicism, this series is filled with captivating visual design, cinematography, and effects, that would truly make this series stand out from other contemporary shows. Half of what makes the series so engaging is its distinctive visual narrative. Even though it is shot digitally, it is edited in such a way that it closely resembles film footage from the '70s, complete with the grainy textures, high contrast lighting, and shadowy figures that have now become synonymous with the genre.

More importantly, The Mercury Men doesn’t merely rely on its visuals to create the sense of dread, fear, and impending doom that its narrative requires. Its sound design is equally retro, from the ominous background score to the 'alien' sounds. The sight of the mercury men themselves is quite perturbing, their appearance being a complex play of lights which renders them as vague and unsettling figures.

The director Christopher Preksta, a Pittsburgh independent filmmaker, plays heavily on nostalgia, harking back to the science-fiction serials of the past, complete with cliffhangers. Each episode of the series is around 7 minutes long, but each of these short episodes is packed full with tight storytelling and well-executed tension, encouraging the viewer to click onto the next installment. The writing of The Mercury Men is concise and to the point, a necessity given the show’s unique short format.

In conclusion, The Mercury Men is a dazzling and thrilling web series, full of imagination, charm, scares, and action. It's a brilliantly acted and profoundly atmospheric ode to the science fiction stories of old, complete with silver-clad aliens, conspiracies, and everyday heroes. It’s a must-watch for anyone who craves a slice of nostalgia and is a testament to the power and potential that the web series as a format possesses. With its impressive blend of a unique premise, well-drawn characters, spectacular visual aesthetics, and a genuinely gripping plotline, The Mercury Men offers an experience that is sort of an enigma in contemporary Sci-Fi - a breath of fresh old air.