I think the problem with V is that it's OTT, people look at the hyperbole and are put off.

There are a large number of very smart people who listen to or look at all the "police state" stuff and cry bollocks, and de facto support what the govt is doing because those opposed overplay their hand a bit (have a look at the links Jennie posted for some overplayed hands by protesters and similar).

So I think we'd need to go more down the Franklin route, or even the early Blair route, not 100% sure though. I'll do some digging later.