Threshold, Invasion and Surface

[Tim]

as SG1, SGA and BSG break up for the summer gap, we aren't actually fretting over our viewing habits since three new series have started airing.

Threshold seems to be the gem in the basket. Whereas Invasion and Surface have characters that make those simple mistakes and ommisions like the woman in the haunted house opening the attic door in the dark, Threshold combines science and science fiction in it's characters reportoire.

No immediate soundbites are made ("beam me up scotty", "it's life jim") the characters the series introduces are modern characters with depth, education and experience.

There was only one real "mistake" in the second part of the pilot, the maths scientist who neglected to affirm his dream states that two other members of the team had been experiencing after an event. Hopefully we won't see anything like this again, it's hollywood scifi whereas we want hardcore scifi (which much of the show appears to be so far)

Niven and Pournelles : Footfall A Beginner's Guide to Book Collecting

contingency plans were not in evidence in this novel, but a thinktank was brought in consisting of scientists heavily into the scifi scene. this was a bit a self pandering by the authors, but here in Threshold we are seeing a more realistic approach to the behind the scenes work that would be carried out in the event of a first contact situation.

The action is not predictable. the level of threat is already beyond our understanding of how anyone could cope with the situation. There are no heroes that will win by the end of the show, there are heroes that we feel might just die off the very next second as realism dictates.

We aren't at a loss now our normal scifi shows aren't airing for a while, although i don't put too much hope in the other two shows.

 

[Kevin]

So far I've seen the premiere episode of Threshold but not the second episode yet (it conflicted with my Friday night watching of SG/SGA & BSG).

I haven't seen Surface or Invasion at all yet. I think Invasion will get some numbers because it comes on after Lost but for me personally I don't think either one will make me seek out watching them (like I do on Friday's).

With Threshold I do like the fact that it tries to be more science based then the usual 'look-here-come-the-aliens-to-invade-us' type of show but time will tell.


Also, be on the lookout for another show starting soon dealing with The Bermuda Triangle.

 

[Tim]

Invasion must be uncomfortable watching over in the US. it seems to start with a massive hurrican and alien entities in the eye of that storm using the forces to spread out across a massive area. with the two modern hurricanes in the US, it's not quite tasteful!

Threshold episode 3 made a mistake at the end as one of the main characters said to one of the taken over humans in a cell, "you're a threat to the united states and the human race" where i believe Threshold planning and implementation should exceed the boundaries of one nation. the statement should have been "you're a threat to our human race" i'm not going to say that americans think they are the centre of the universe, but from what i've seen so far in the show boundaries must dissolve in the defence of a planet against an alien attack. if american specialists are trying to prevent aliens from taking over, why should we assume the aliens will only do so in america and not just act "like in the movies." i have to ask, why don't they attack other "softer" targets first and build up strength before taking on a super power?

Threshold episode 6 : Pulse

a dire outbreak of the alien sound as it spreads like a virus across computer chips. from credit cards with 'chip and pin' to automated cash machines, and possibly to home pc's, power computers, telephone networks.

the 'Pulse' in the episode title? The EMP weapon that the team decided to use. a brief argument on it's usage, the cost to property and life, then the simple statement that draws back to the Threshold disaster plan. As the team setting off the weapon sit in a vehicle and one of them is complaining his PDA is about to lose all his wedding planning data, the realisation that "Miama is going to get a big lesson in backing up data" countdown to firing and an unwavering finger presses the button.

it's twice now we've had mention of file sharing over the net being a possible method of spreading the alien problem, but in the end the reality they used was worse with chip to chip spreading.

the science is good, the reasoning sound, the critics change their views from week to week but from the start i keep the same view :

technically correct storylines and science. a team and a storyline that is a qualified scientist and scifi fans wet dream. Nivens : Footfall's disaster team come to life on the screen

 

[Kevin]

I agree with you're saying.... in the beginning Threshold had the promise of being based in facts & science, sort of a CSI: Aliens type thing, but with each new episode they keep going out on the edge of believeability. Whomever wrote the first episide, they should bring back for some others.


(But I am finding myself watching it on Friday nights until the Sci-Fi Channel trifecta returns after winter)