Surface

When reading the synopses of Surface and Threshold they both sounded fairly familiar. Of the two this was the one I expected to enjoy most. Didn't really happen for me. The first thing that strikes me is to question how far this show can actually go. Whereas Threshold sets things up for an ongoing series I'm left wondering if Surface wouldn't play out better as a limited/mini series. I have to say I found this to be thoroughly disappointing as a first episode. The plot shoots off from place to place introducing a myriad of what must become regular characters as the show goes on, but to be honest, at the end of the first episode it's difficult guessing what's going on to any great degree. It also doesn't really compell you to watch the next episode. This one needs to improve significantly otherwise I don't see it lasting too long at all I'm afraid.

Threshold

This one was a lot better than it had any real right to be. Given the questionable leadership of Brannon Braga (<cough>w*nker<cough>), I was pretty sure this one would be horrendous. Turns out I was pleasantly surprised. Thinking on this one a little more, a big difference between the two pilot episodes here are the characters. Surface, I don't recall having one decent character. Threshold would appear to have at least a few more than that. It has the potential of being a decent cast to be honest.

The Pilot's not flawless by any stretch of the imagination, and to be truthful the plot could have come from any number of X-Files episodes, but it was engaging enough which is more than can be said for Surface. As Pilots go, it set out it's premise well enough, raised some interesting questions as to where the show may be heading and generally generated enough interest to make me want to check out subsequent episodes for now.

It's good to see networks like NBC and CBS taking chances on these kind of shows. It's a long time since they have, until the last year or so. It's just a pity that NBC couldn't have picked a better project to bring to the screen. The other thing is that both you would expect have to pull in major numbers to survive on these networks.

Two similar shows but thusfar, on the evidence of the Pilot episodes, Threshold has a clear advantage.

:thumbsup: thanks, I might take a look at Threshold then :)

Let me know if you struggle for a copy ;)

:D aw you are such an angel, I'll let you know :thumbsup:

:blush: Not me guv' :lol:

Haven't wiped 'em off the hard drive yet so it's no great hardship.

Thanks James, got Threshold downloading now, won't bother with Surface :ermm:

It's rare I slate a new show, but if the rest of the show's like the pilot, it's going to be :shit:

Surface? Wasn't that going to be called "Fathom" for a while, until they realised that some other network had optioned the rights of the comic book of the same name? I had thought that the original premise sounded good. I'm not so sure now after your comments James, so thanks for the heads up.


I don't know if I want to even try Threshold though. I don't want to give Braga any encouragement. (I wonder how long he'll wait to do a time travel story, relegate characters to the background in favour of blondes willing to show T&A on demand, and start thinking he's a good writer again :ph43r: :whistling: :lmao: )

Yes, it was Fathom Jamie, in fact the Pilot episode is still labelled as being Fathom.

The premise and the trailer sounded and looked fantastic. The episode was a let down. I'm not saying it can't get better, it more than likely will. It couldn't really get much worse.

Threshold, honestly, give it a try. You may not like it, as I said earlier it's very derivative of The X-Files, but I found it passsed an enjoyable enough hour.

Couldn't really see any Braga trademarks there, don't know what's going on there :shrug: :lol:

The two-hour pilot of THRESHOLD aired last nite and while it really doesn't break new ground, it's a promising show. Well, the first hour is. That whizzes by with a lot of movement and action. And the heroine and heros seem to be in charge.

Plot: The contingency analyst (Carlo Gugino) has written the protocols the government implemented so she heads the group that investigates the possible alien visitation. The government evidently conscripts (?!) her skilled support (unlike the volunteers of THE AMDROMEDA STRAIN), and they're a motley bunch. Also, there's a mysterious action-type man who could be romantic material for the I-have-no-life Gugino (like that would happen).

The second hour (written by Braga) sees the heroine and heros as victims. They can't seem to think ahead. The aliens are too clever for them. The movement of this episode is confined to rooms and an abandoned industrial plant. Every cliche is employed.

With Gugino and other good actors, this is worth staying with until despite an cliched episode to two.

Hmm, haven't actually watched the second hour yet John. Braga writes it and it's not as good as the first hour ?? Now that's more like what I expected from Braga :rolleyes:

I hope Surface picks up, that first episode I thought was awful.

I missed the premiere of SURFACE but after reading reviews (yours - James - and others) I'm not broken up over that. I will try to catch an episode along the way.

Having watched the premiere I just couldn't think of it in any other terms than a mini series. It's got the 'mini' feel to it, and I just couldn't see how they're realistically spin out the story over more than a few episodes.

Beyond that, the story was slight, you didn't really understand what was going on at the end of the first episode than you did at the beginning. The characters were poor (so far) as well.

Silly me. I just noticed that SURFACE doesn't premiere (on TV,that is) til Monday. Will try to catch it.

I'll be interested to see if it's just me who has a downer on it John. I was expecting a lot more from it, I thought it was pretty poor. Just wonder if I'm being unduly harsh. Hmm, I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts should you catch it.

The reviews I heard echo yours, James. Now I'm going in with low expectations. :guns:

Thing is, if you go in with low(er) expectations you may find yourself more sympathetic to it. That was the case for me with Threshold, I expected the worst and was pleasantly surprised when it exceeded my low expectations.

Saw the second hour last night. Not as good as the first, but for me it did enough to keep me interested. I still think the central premise is fairly solid, but it's success is going to depend on how it's explored. Seems fairly similar, to me, to Odyssey 5 from a few years back. The cast, I would say, are still one of the show's stronger points so far.

I could allot the time to see the first half hour of SURFACE because the second half hour played against two shows I wanted to see. I didn't watch the entire half hour, giving up before 25 minutes.

This is lazy storytelling. There are a bunch of melodramatic little scenes that have nothing to do with the basic plot but are meant to tell us about the characters, some are supposed to be cute or clever. Then there was a few good, scary moments in the submersible which were ruined by having the character do something stupid (evidently, she was born minus a survival instinct). That's about the time I gave up.

Because it is opposite HOW I MET YOUR MOM and KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL, I am delighted at the wretchedness of SURFACE. :thumbsup:

Glad it's not just me :thumbsup:

I'm usually more patient with new shows, but Surface was awful. I really don't see it lasting too long.

Saw the third episode of Threshold tonight and I have to say I'm still enjoying it. This weeks is another one who's format's been done before, but the quality of the character writing's still overcompensating for the slight lack in originality.

The central storyline is advanced in some small way again, which seems to be the way the series is looking to progress. Small steps.

Just watched the first hour of Threshold to get a feel for it - as has been said quite promising so I've set the other episodes away to download.

As I said when I wacthed Sin City I've become quite a fan of Ms Gugino and if I'd realised she was in it I'd have been more on the ball about obtaining/watching it.

Based on the first four episodes, it's one of a few shows, if not the only cult show this year who's numbers have actually increased with each new episode.

I'm still struggling to come to terms with the term 'decent show' and Brannon Braga being linked together though :lol: Although you know what this means though, it must all have been Berman's fault afterall. The b*stard !! :lol:

Thats the advantage of only being semi-interested in Trek - I don't have these hang-ups :)

Now watched up to and including ep5 (most recent) and its still pretty good. I can see how they could make it last as long as they want with the "seeding" spreading but I'd also like to think they have an overall direction/ending in mind as well.

:rolleyes:

Well, according to the wee trailer I saw on Sky last night, Threshold starts on Sky one sometime next month.

I'm still a little cautious about this, but being an eternal optimist, I'll give it a try. :unsure:

Despite my initial 'Braga' trepidation, Threshold's been alright.

Surface / NBC
ITV has picked up the rights to two new US series for new male-skewed channel ITV4.

The first is HBO's Entourage, a comedy following fictional Hollywood actor Vincent Chase. The series is produced by actor Mark Wahlberg.

The channel also has the rights to NBC's Surface, a sci-fi drama about mysterious forms of sea life hidden beneath the world's oceans.

ITV4 is expected to confirm its launch schedule later this week.

Interesting stuff. I liked the premise behind Threshold when I first read about it, so I'll be interested in seeing how it goes when Sky show it in November (I think.)

If ITV4 do show Surface, I'll give it a go, to see if it's really as bad as you guys have said... your comments have me intrigued!

Andrew :yahoo:

Just watched the Surface pilot - a bit of promise as has been said too bitty and varied - also not enough revealing of the "creatures" - I know the deal on suspense but this was too much hidden imo.

Not sure if I'll watch anymore - does it get better anyone?

No idea, I couldn't be arsed after the pilot, I found it to be too poor to bother with.

I might watch one more tomorrow just to see.

Just tried to watch the second episode of Surface but gave up on it - no real progress and no different to the pilot.

Cheers Neil, saves me having to bother :thumbsup:

Threshold starts on SKY on the 9th of November. Last night`s Entertainment Tonight on SKY One had a five min segment on the show. :)

It repeats on Sunday, 2pm.

9th Nov is a Wednesday......On at the same time as LOST perchance? :ermm:

Silly programmers. :rolleyes:

Plenty of time for them to change the schedule. :)

Latest date and time for Threshold. :)

Cheers Sarah :thumbsup:

www.CBS.com has a streaming video of past episodes of THRESHOLD. There also seem to be "behind the scenes" videos.

I hope these online videos become commonplace. You might continually check the various network websites to see if your favorite show is available (networks: CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, WB, HBO, etc).