posted
I want to talk about three new sci-fi shows on network television.
The first is Threshold, a cartoonish and twisted mess. That doesn't mean it isn't interesting. However, it tries too hard to bring in mystery and only succeeds in confusion. The characters are well defined to the point of charicatures. I think it if it comes to some kind of focus, it should do just fine. Its plus side is Brent Spiner and a cult classic feel.
The second is Surface. I am not sure where they are going with this one. The monsters are already shown from the getgo; a possible plus or minus depending on how the cards are played. No matter how cool I thought this one was visually compared to the other two, its premise can't sustain a series length without some serious plot introductions. I didn't see a purpose behind all the fuss. A monster of the week probably can't last longer than mini-series. The plus side, as I said, is sci-fi channel support and good visuals.
Then there is Invasion, a problamatic series to judge at this point. Of the three, this one seemed to have nothing to recommend. Questions of where is it going and why is it here kept running through my mind. Just as the first was going too fast and the second was going too narrow, this one didn't seem to be going. The plus side is this one might be the most character driven of the three and therefore more emotional.
My prediction for staying power is Threshold by its very cultic feel, but its still a toss up. Invasion could become entertaining and settle into mysterious creepiness. Surface, for me, has the least likely reason to remain despite its production values. What I would like to see is another space opera (non-Star Trek incarnation) series developed.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I couldn't stick with Invasion past the first five minutes or so. It might have been the hurricane thing, though, so I might look in again next week.
However, I like Threshold a whole lot, and Surface was interesting enough that I will definitely watch it again. I don't think having seen the "monsters" on Surface already is that huge a handicap - we still don't know what they are, and that's what counts, I think.
I think the thing I like about Threshold is the characters. They're interesting. There is also a feeling of there being more than they think to the problem they're tackling. I predict that the incident they are investigating will turn out to not be the first shot fired, so to speak, by whatever it is that is intruding. I also like the fact that they didn't go for the "space alien" answer right out of the box, with mentions of things like that knife-sounding flying thing being interdimensional rather than extraterrestrial.
Come on and make a comment about them you sci-fi nuts These could be the future of the genre on television. Had to be more than two people at Hatrack who saw them.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I watched both Surface and Invasion. Surface really had me hooked. I still haven't seen Threshold yet... what's it about?
Posts: 4953 | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I work nights Monday through Friday and miss out on all the prime time shows ... ;(
(although I usually get home in time for the second showing of Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis on Friday nights)
So, I get to see preview/trailers of upcoming shows but can't actually see the show. Taping doesn't work because even if I can get someone at home to tape it, I forget and don't have time to watch.
Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
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These could be the future of the genre on television. Had to be more than two people at Hatrack who saw them.
