A good story is a good story.  There have been "remakes" for centuries. Even ancient stories about the flood were done several times over with different characters, though that may be remembering localized versions of a world-wide calamity!

Remaking classics and continuing story lines can be good. After all, there really aren't that many good new stories and characters around. Themes and plot construction remain the same for many stories. Kind of like all the similar versions of characters and textures seen here at Renderosity. It depends on whether the person creating the work has talent or is a hack! :)

 

I saw V the other night and it seems like a good start. You don't want to go into all the explanations and questions in one show. That would require too much exposition which is a no-no in screenwriting 101. The info will have to be slipped in each episode. With more time to tell the story, you have that luxury in a novel, but not in TV or film.

Approaching this from the angles of FBI agent, TV reporter, family themes, brings the ordinary viewer into it more easily. The general female audience, which TV targets, will not sit still for most science fiction, unless the other familiar themes are there. They also have to be able to relate to the characters, especially in a TV show. My understanding is this show is only running four weeks, so if it does well, it will come back. Even more reason to get viewers hooked in the shortest time possible.