The episodes had lots of small scale battles (even some very cool droids) etc but it's clearly focused on the struggles of the human survivors and the dynamics of the groups. Also, somes parts of the show were focused on the interactions of some 15 years old kids (brunette girl likes the protagonist's son, but he is in a relationship with a blonde girl... ).

Some really blood thirsty aliens have landed on our planet and wiped out 95 % of the population but they choose to use ~10 out of the 42 minutes of the episode to focus on the kids' romantic endeavors? Really???

Obviously they want to get the attention of the young audiences in the States and perhaps I had too high expectations (the series are produced by Spielberg, were created by Robert Rodat, who also wrote "Saving Private Ryan", "The Patriot", while the director (Carl Franklin) is known for having directed the "Pacific" (a 1940 war drama with lots of action etc again produced by Spielberg). As I said, perhaps I had far too great expectations...

At some point in the beginning, one of the guys in charge talks to some other people and shows the enemy movements on a map. The enemy is represented by Star Wars droids

At several points in the 2 episodes, large groups of people (~300) were sitting in the open (parks, roads etc) with their gear and their stuff. What's more, they were moving during the day. WTF??? How could the aliens miss them in broad daylight just a few dozen miles away from their stronghold (seen hovering over the city at some point)?

At some point Noah Wyle's character (Tom Mason), who is a historian, comes across a pile of books and spots "The 20000 leagues under the Sea", by Vern and the "Tale of two cities" by Dickens. Both books were very small, light and easy to carry, but instead he dumps the "20000 leagues" and keeps the boring "tale of two cities". Shame!

So they think the big naked spiders are the aliens behind the invasion. Then they point out that the "mech" droids have two legs. Why would an alien race with six legs make a droid that has two legs they ask? I am thinking because the six leg aliens are just war dogs. The master-race looks more humanoid and does not run around naked. Like I really want to wait around to find out while they do stupid personal s--- with the cast.

In the end they spend a lot of time on personal conflicts and romances that I am not interested in.

the mechs. Perhaps they are humanoid due to some design concept (built to maneuver in a biped world) . For example, consider the Curiosity Rover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4boyXQuUIw). If there are any Martians on the planet and see it land, what will they think about us? That probably we look like it (one eye and 6 wheels ). I guess the answer on that question (if it actually ever answered) will depend on how creative the writers of the series are...