» Threshold: Yet Another Alien Invasion? Options

[thefutoncritic]

Wait so there's Peter Dinklage, Charles Dutton, Brent Spiner, and Carla Gugino? If all I knew about a show was that it had this cast, I would be there in a heartbeat. And the premise doesn't sound half bad.

On the Braga point, even though he drove the Star Trek franchise into the ground, I'm hopeful about his involvement in this show. When he was new to Star Trek he wrote some of the series' (nay, the franchise's) best scripts. If you think of TNG, Voy, and Enterprise as one show that's been going for eighteen years straight then it's understandable that someone might burn out. Hopefully, he's only burnt out on Trek and this show will be a smashing success, so much so that he'll be way too busy to pitch in when Paramount decides to resurrect the Trek franchise.

BTW: I'd heard William Mapother (aka the Second Creepiest Person in Tom Cruise's Family) was going to be in this show. Was that just a rumor, or did he get fired or what?

Mapother's role is recurring. He plays a sailor who gets "infected" by the alien ship and well, you'll see...

As for the Braga comments, I'm indifferent to his work for the most part. But having seen "Threshold," I can attest is all sorts of terrible. Like Saturday night Sci Fi Channel bad folks.

This post has been edited by thefutoncritic: Jun 8, 2005 @ 5:39 pm.

[Java Dog]

Additional kind words from TV Guide / Matt Roush on Threshold, from his viewing of a preview tape (not full ep).

That's the 2nd or 3rd mention I've heard from folks at TV Guide, and there seems to be some consensus that this is the best of the sci-fi wannabes being offered this fall. I'm particularly encouraged by the fact that "scary" is mentioned.

Another TV Guide Mention

[Unusual Suspect]

There's a brief clip here.

I dunno, I wasn't impressed.

[ER-Girl]

There are more detailed trailers at the CBS site here.

I thought it looked good, and thank God considering the lack of good TV on Friday nights. Anyway, I'd tune in to watch anything that featured Brent Spiner, Charles S. Dutton and William Mapother (even if he is on recurring status).

[topofthemuffin]

Tim Goodman seems to agree that Threshold is the best of the Lost-wannabees. Read here.

This post has been edited by topofthemuffin: Jul 21, 2005 @ 5:36 am.

[ER-Girl]

As I understand it the premiere date for the show is Friday, September 2, and last week "Ask Ausiello" at TV Guide reported that Threshold would premiere as a 2-hour movie (rather than a 1-hr show). I think the idea is to help the show get a jump start out of the gate, to give it a leg up over the other sci-fi offerings this fall.

[CaptainSnarky]

When I heard they were airing this show on Fridays, I just knew they were gonna try to put this up against Battlestar Galactica, which would have meant that there would be no way in hell I'd ever see Threshold. But if it's airing before BSG, I'll give it a chance. Oddly, the premise doesn't interest me in the slightest, but it's sci-fi, so I'm geekily obligated to watch it at least once.

[Hegel88]

Tim Goodman seems to agree that Threshold is the best of the Lost-wannabees.

The Futon Critic begs to differ.

Out of all the supernatural newcomers this season, "Threshold" is by far the worst.

This post has been edited by Hegel88: Aug 4, 2005 @ 9:09 pm.

[ER-Girl]

When I heard they were airing this show on Fridays, I just knew they were gonna try to put this up against Battlestar Galactica, which would have meant that there would be no way in hell I'd ever see Threshold. But if it's airing before BSG, I'll give it a chance. Oddly, the premise doesn't interest me in the slightest, but it's sci-fi, so I'm geekily obligated to watch it at least once.

Keep in mind, the SciFi Channel re-airs the BSG episodes several times within a week, including just a few hours after the first airing of a new episode.

I haven't seen the network make an official announcement yet, but The Futon Critic is now saying that the show's 2-hour premiere will air at 9pm on Friday Sept. 16. BSG airs their last ep before hiatus at 10pm that same night. I don't know how long the hiatus lasts, but that should give scifi fans time to give the show a shot.


ETA: okay, I guess CBS has made the announcement verifying the 9/16 premiere date.

This post has been edited by ER-Girl: Aug 6, 2005 @ 8:19 am.

[ER-Girl]

AOL names "Threshold" one of their "great fall shows" in their Fall TV Preview

Threshold
Premieres Fri., Sept. 16, 9PM CBS


Premise: After an alien craft lands on Earth, a team of specialists is recruited to respond.

Cast: Charles S. Dutton, Carla Gugino, Brent Spiner, Robert Patrick Benedict

Our 2¢: What an awesome cast; If you're looking to fill that 'X-Files' void in your viewing, this show might come close. The pilot featured some good, creepy scenes and it's clear that truth is definitely out there right at the start. Stay focused on the mythology and you'll be in for a killer thriller.

[ER-Girl]

From the Aug. 29 edition (on sale now) of In Touch Magazine: in the fall TV preview section, Threshold is named one of "the hottest new shows on TV"

"Why You'll Love It: Tense, intelligent, and scary, Threshold is filled with shocking twists and turns.  It's hands-down the best sci-fi drama since The X-Files!"

Nice photo of the cast, too.

This post has been edited by ER-Girl: Aug 21, 2005 @ 6:10 pm.

[FamousX]

Isn't this just a rip-off of Michael Crichton's "Sphere" with Ms. Gugino in the Dustin Hoffman role? At least in the book, the set up sounds exactly the same.

[ER-Girl]

From Zap2It.com's reviewer, TV Gal, giving her picks for best & worst of the new fall offerings:

"Threshold" is the absolute best of the sci-fi bunch. Star Carla Gugino, who last headlined the late, great "Karen Sisco," knows how to pick winners."

Isn't this just a rip-off of Michael Crichton's "Sphere"

I've never read the book or seen the movie (although I've heard the movie was terrible). I don't know if there's a connection, but if there is I'd say the TV show is a far better way to take the plotline on...you can take your time and explore the story more.

[ER-Girl]

From Ask Kristin at E!Online

From andrea1975: You said in your last chat that Threshold was a new show worth watching. Why's that? What else have you heard about it?

Threshold is the most Lost-ish new Lost knockoff coming out for its JJ-ish elements: Carla Gugino is something of a Sydney Bristow, Felicity's Richard stars as something of a Marshall (and he's great opposite Peter Dinklage). Evil Ethan (William Mapother) is back as someone very similar to Evil Ethan, and it ends with a great, chilling cliffhanger. So, in my opinion, it's the best of the bunch.

[totell]

Wait so there's Peter Dinklage, Charles Dutton, Brent Spiner, and Carla Gugino? If all I knew about a show was that it had this cast, I would be there in a heartbeat

That talented gang, plus a recurring W. Mapother has me adding Threshold to my must see short list (with Nightstalker and Invasion) of new sf/supernatural series coming out this season.