Invasion, Surface or Threshold [Text View]

Jeeters

09-24-2005, 01:54 PM

Surface, by far. And given all the positive comments here about it, I'm not sure why all the industry reviews were so negative.

Invasion, although I think it has hope, I fear will be nothing more than a rehash of the X-Files alien conspiracy but 'de-geekified' for viewers who thought they were above watching a 'nerd' show like X-Files 10 years ago.

After watching last night's Threshold, it's a distant third to the other two.

I'm curious to see where the premiers fell in the ratings last week.

jasch

09-24-2005, 01:59 PM

Surface, by far. And given all the positive comments here about it, I'm not sure why all the industry reviews were so negative.

According to the industry reviews, I was expecting the best one to be Threshold with Surface in the last place. (probably that why I watched the pilot of surface until last night), but I gotta say that I am not a big fan of threshold anymore.

5thcrewman

09-24-2005, 02:26 PM

Makes me wish they bring back 'Coupling!'

DevdogAZ

09-24-2005, 03:50 PM

dswallow

09-24-2005, 04:03 PM

I have all three saved on my TiVo but haven't watched any yet. Reviews made it sound like Threshold and Invasion would be good, while Surface would be a distant third. However, the comments here sound like people liked Surface more than the others. This could simply be a function of expectations. People weren't expecting much from Surface and were pleasantly surprised while they expected a lot from the other two and they didn't quite live up to those expectations.
I expected all to be utter garbage. I really wasn't disappointed; though Surface seems to have the least encrusted crud and mold growing all over it and appears to have the best chance of finding the showers and actually taking one before the season is too far along.

TiVoLance

09-24-2005, 06:45 PM

I can't stand Surface. Way too much overacting and a boring plotline (so far). I totally agree with the TV Guide critics. I guess I'd keep Threshold though I'll be watching Invasion a bit more to see if it gets better.

JETarpon

09-24-2005, 07:37 PM

It looks to me like Surface has the best budget, given all the oceanic equipment.

Kevdog

09-24-2005, 09:27 PM

I expected all to be utter garbage. I really wasn't disappointed; though Surface seems to have the least encrusted crud and mold growing all over it and appears to have the best chance of finding the showers and actually taking one before the season is too far along.
LOL. But seriously, tell us what you really think...

amtsuchida

09-24-2005, 09:30 PM

Like devdogaz, I still have all three on the dvr. Friends have told me that they liked Threshold and Surface, but not Invasion.

I think I will watch Threshold tonight. If I like it, I will watch the second episode as well.

ellinj

10-02-2005, 06:25 PM

I have now watched all three. I don't think there is a clear winner for me at this point. Although keeping tracking of whats going on in three shows plus lost may prove to be a bit much at this point. If I had to assign order highest to low it would be Threshold, Surface, Invasion. I am watching the second episode of threshold now, so I'll see how it goes, but I can't imagine that all three will last all season.

TBDigital

10-02-2005, 10:01 PM

I've seen the first 2 episodes of Invasion and Surface...neither was all that great, IMO. I thought the story line on Invasion was a bit better, and the monsters in Surface looked pretty crappy, IMO. Invasion is definitely trying to bank on the whole 'What is REALLY going on here?' theme, going after the 'Lost' audience. I'll keep recording both of them, and watch them if I have time. Not the strongest hours of tv, but mildly entertaining, at times. Haven't seen Threshold, so no comment.

ellinj

10-02-2005, 10:26 PM

Threshold seems like its going to be a zombie of the week type show, Surface and Invasion definetly look like they are going on the suspense aspect that made Lost work.

TBDigital

10-03-2005, 12:05 AM

How about Night Stalker? I haven't seen it, but used to enjoy staying up late to watch the original when I was a kid...

amtsuchida

10-03-2005, 12:16 AM

I finally watched the first two episodes of Threshold and Surface. I never got around to watching Invasion.

I voted NONE.

ellinj

10-03-2005, 12:18 AM

Just caught up with Threshold, while the last episode seemed better, the dialouge is just too much, the closing line "Don't worry we have a plan" was ridiculous. I may have to reorder my ratings from above.

purple6816

10-03-2005, 01:19 AM

How can we change our votes.? After another week some of them get worse and worse and worse. :down: :mad:

Martyp

10-03-2005, 02:22 AM

Well at least with surface it seems the guys in charge know how to get s**t done.

On the other 2 shows you know that if these are the folks in charge we are on the losing team. Say hello to the new overlords

Squarefish

10-03-2005, 06:22 AM

Aren't they the same show?

Makes me wish they bring back 'Coupling!'And I liked 'Coupling!' -- they cancelled it way to fast.

Lee L

10-03-2005, 06:31 AM

I only watched Invasion. So far it has been decent. I am not sure how long it can go on though. My wife and I were talking about it last night and she was wondereing how many seasons "V" went on for once it became a regular weekly series?

I'm kind of kicking myself for not watching Surface. I wanted it to do well since it is filmed in my state but all the negative reviews pre-season put me off.

bicker

10-03-2005, 07:05 AM

I'm having trouble getting into Surface... it just isn't getting anywhere as far as I can see. Invasion, on the other hand, has pretty weak characters -- I couldn't care less about any of them, and that's pretty tough, given how pretty some of them are. :) Threshold, at least, is a pretty strong show, with characters that I care about, and a clear direction that I'm interested in.

Jeeters

10-03-2005, 07:11 AM

I'm having trouble getting into Surface... it just isn't getting anywhere as far as I can see.Really? Out of the three, it seems to be moving the fastest, imo. Watching the previews, I'm wondering how they're going to last a full season, let alone extend it to muliple seasons (as if it would be so lucky).

IwantmyTiVo

10-03-2005, 08:34 AM

However, the comments here sound like people liked Surface more than the others. This could simply be a function of expectations. People weren't expecting much from Surface and were pleasantly surprised while they expected a lot from the other two and they didn't quite live up to those expectations.

Thats what I heard too. But I have to tell you, Surface kept my interest piqued. Invasion and Threshold were just okay. I will give them each one more episode to get better.

Hersheytx

10-03-2005, 09:01 AM

Unless the monsters in the water on Surface can get out of the water, I do not see them taking over the world. Its like watching a bigger version of JAWS. Don't go in the water or they may get you!
That being said, I really find Surface to be the best of the three. I really want Threshold to make it. I like Brent Spiner. Carla Gugino, who I loved in the short run Karen Sisco, has a good character. The others seem fine. Problem is this one could get as repetitive as X-files. I am hoping the writers have A PLAN for the enemy.
As for invasion. I have already deleted my SP. If its really amazing I will buy it on DVD. Otherwise I am not going to waste my time

ZeoTiVo

10-03-2005, 09:09 AM

have only watched the pilots so far
surface was good. Invasion I am not so sure about - definitely need more episodes.

Threshold could be really good as they work the science in to the science fiction show - I will definitely give these all some more episodes before I axe any.

have not seen the rating for any though - one may get the axe before I get around to it ;)

VinceA

10-03-2005, 10:24 AM

I'm watching all three right now but Invasion is on the bubble. I dig giant monster movies so Surface appeals to me on that level. Threshold seems to have a unique angle on the invasion scenario (at least to me). Invasion just seems to have a Body Snatcher-esque plot. Maybe it'll get deeper but so far I'm not impressed.

Hoffer

10-03-2005, 11:49 AM

I watched 1 and 1/10th episodes of Threshold. I thought the acting and writing was terrible. SP is gone.

I've seen both Invasions and think it's alright. I'll give it a couple more weeks.

I watched the first 2 episodes of Surface yesterday. I liked this show the best. The last scene when the creature came up and ate the ship was too cool. I'm interested in how they can make a topic like this into an entire series. Then again, that can be said of most of the SciFi type shows on the major networks.

DLiquid

10-03-2005, 12:07 PM

Threshold is garbage, IMO. During the second episode I just sat there is disbelief at how bad it was.

Invasion has potential, but they need to start mixing things up. It's been way too predictable.

Surface is the best of the three, in my opinion. Unlike the other two shows, on Surface I actually want to know what is going to happen to these characters. Hopefully this show avoids the alien-possessed human thing that the other two shows are doing. That is just so tired.

cal_s7

10-03-2005, 01:18 PM

I've deleted Invasion from my list.

I'm still not sure about Surface. Looks like it might improve. But its still in danger of being deleted.

I like Threshold the best so far.

Magister

10-03-2005, 01:23 PM

All three are still in my SP... Surface is the one that is at the top for me. The multiple angles kid/scientist/gov thing keeps it going.
Invasion is sucking a little wind... How long can we keep driving through fallen trees?
and well...
Threshold seems like it will just be X-Files kind of stuff... It could jsut keep going and won't have to resolve anything. Track down new infectee each week.
Surface, - Well, since these creatures are getting active, more people in the world are going to be finding out, so you gotta do stuff to keep it from going bad.

ovr8ted

10-03-2005, 10:08 PM

Let's get something straight here, none of these are exactly "must see" viewing.

That being said:

Invasion: Too many inconsistencies in the opening pilot. Poor dialogue. Gone.

Surface: I like it, a little campy, but getting better. Most probable of the three stories thus far in my opinion.

Threshhold: Yeah, it is very X-file-esque, but I don't mind. I'm just being entertained, and besides, I like the whole other dimension twist.

dirk1843

10-03-2005, 10:27 PM

I was excited about all three (three prime time sci-fi shows on NETWORK!!) but having missed the premiers of all........and being stuck on Rome, Desperate Housewives, and BSG (add Stargate SG1 until the got rid of Vala) I just haven't had the desire for any.......sticking to my rehasing of my B5 collections to round out my sci fi fix.

cwoody222

10-03-2005, 10:30 PM

I expected to like them in this order, best first:

Invasion
Threshold
Surface

In reality, it's:

Surface
Threshold
Invasion

Guess that shows what I know ;)

Invasion got 2 episodes. Threshold is holding on so far. Surface is staying for now. Sadly I think Surface has the weakest premise but is the best show.

If we throw in Supernatural to the list, little changes. That one would have been on the bottom of both lists; and has since had it's SP deleted.

kbohip

10-04-2005, 03:32 AM

Amee

10-04-2005, 05:07 AM

If we throw in Supernatural to the list, little changes. That one would have been on the bottom of both lists; and has since had it's SP deleted.

Since it was at the bottom of your list both times I think you never gave it a fair chance. Supernatural is really good and one of the best sci-fi shows that premiered this season.

wingerzzz

10-04-2005, 11:20 AM

I was really wanting Threshold to be good, but all it looks like is chase an infected person for an hour and stop them from spreading and throw in some dreams. Very disappointed. I will give it a few more episodes because I read they might delved more into the characters and the stress they are under.

Invasion I kind of like. It needs to pick up the pace and I really hope it is not as simple as a body snatcher premise. If so, I will quickly stop watching. I am not a big fan of the whole is he/she an alien type plot.

Surface has been a present surprise. I worry about the quality of the writing, but this show has clearly has the most likeable characters and they seem to be taken the time to develope them as characters. I am also thankful that it appears it is not trying to be a we just want to keep you guessing type show.

The huge negative on both Invasion and Surface though is the kids. There is no reason for Lake Bell to be dragging around a kid and I am already sick of the little girl in Invasion.

oski87

10-04-2005, 01:01 PM

I think its pretty clear that all three will get axed, probably soon. Surfaces' ratings are declining fast (dropped almost 20% from ep 1 to 2), and both Surface and Invasion look pretty high-budget-- I doubt they'll get a decent return from ad revenues for either. Havent seen Threshold, but have read nothing good about it.

The problem is that this will taint "sci-fi" on tv for a long time. Not that any of these are science fiction-- at least the two I've seen are basically just horror shows with a thin veneer of sci-fi slapped on.

DLiquid

10-04-2005, 04:45 PM

I was going to come on here and say the exact same thing so I'll just quote you DLiquid :).Sig fodder.

newsposter

10-04-2005, 08:06 PM

If you held a gun to my head and asked me to describe each, I'd die. I can't keep them separate at all. Too much time between watching for me. I actually must watch the preview scenes to remember them all. though i just finshed invasion so i know right now which one that is...how gross an episode.

Warren

10-04-2005, 10:30 PM

i vote surface

DevdogAZ

10-05-2005, 04:10 AM

Well, I still haven't watched any of them but I did just see a promo for Surface while watching Earl or The Office and there was a hot chick with a very nice rack in a skimpy bathing suit. Maybe I'll have to check that one out. ;)

Kamakzie

10-05-2005, 11:01 PM

I have to check out Surface still but I have watched Threshold and Invasion. Can't say that I'm impressed, both shows are rather lackluster...

justinkwaugh

10-06-2005, 06:56 PM

...both Surface and Invasion look pretty high-budget

Surface looked high budget until the old faithful scene. I've seen better special effects in Doctor Who.

ellinj

10-06-2005, 10:43 PM

I think Invasion is officially off the list, will be giving the other two one more chance.

Kamakzie

10-07-2005, 12:36 AM

I just got through episode 2 of Surface and I am watching episode 3. This show is way better than both Threshold or Invasion!

Kamakzie

10-07-2005, 01:21 AM

Surface looked high budget until the old faithful scene. I've seen better special effects in Doctor Who.

LOL I just got to that part, how cheesy! But I will forgive that little transgression :p

appleye1

10-07-2005, 02:27 AM

Surface is my first choice, followed by Threshold. Still watching Invasion though, mainly because of the quality female cast members! :D

speedy4022

10-08-2005, 04:58 AM

Threshold seems like its going to be a zombie of the week type show, Surface and Invasion definetly look like they are going on the suspense aspect that made Lost work.

that is what they are going for? I thought they were trying to bore me to death. :D :D Please never again compare invasion to Lost :(

Gilligan

10-08-2005, 10:54 AM

Surface started out looking as if it going to be the best of the three; however the last 2 episodes have been geared to a much younger audience than I am part of.

Threshold was SP-Xed after I watched the pilot.

Invasion, on the other hand, started out slow put is picking up more speed with each episode, at this rate it's going to be my clear favorite very soon.

mick66

10-09-2005, 02:09 AM

I gave Threshold and Invasion the ax a couple of weeks ago already. I like surface and was hopeful about Nightstalker and Supernatural, but those hopes are starting to fade.

And just exactly what is it with all of the alien/creature shows this season?

Peter000

10-09-2005, 02:36 AM

I finally got a chance to see "Invasion" and really liked it... mostly because of the cast. Surface has been too boring for me, and Threshold didn't make it to a second viewing. In truth, none of them has much for me. Other than the good cast (IMO) of Invasion... and that's why I'll stick with it for a bit.

I loved the premiere of "Supernatural" but the subsequent episodes have been about half as good. Still hanging on though.

"Night Stalker" I'm liking, but not nearly as much as the original.

"Ghost Whisperer" is hanging by a thread. It needs more interesting ghosts, though I did like the most recent ep alot. And for some reason Jennifer Love-Hewitt isn't as attractive as I remember... for me she hit her peak in "Heartbreakers." But she does a reasonble acting job.

That's my rundown of the sci-fi/supernatural new shows. :) None of them really must SPs.

bicker

10-09-2005, 06:44 AM

NightStalker might be the best of the bunch now, but I missed the first episode, so I'll need a few weeks to make that decision. I'm still finding Threshold much better than Invasion, and Surface is so bad that I'm really pushing my wife to kill it. We'll see. For now, she's enamored by the "cute little monster". :rolleyes:

crazywater

10-09-2005, 06:15 PM

I expected to like Invasion and Threshold the most. Surface is by far the best of the three. Unlike the other two I actually want to know what is going on with Surface. Invasion is on my week-to-week list and is in danger of suffering SP-d (Season Pass deletion) very soon.

7thton

10-10-2005, 10:24 AM

I just got through the first 3 eps of Invasion this weekend and I really liked them! The pacing is nice and even, the cast is great. I like the subtle clues they drop regarding the "EBEs". I don't really understand what there is not to like about it. Three thumbs up from me.

Threshold I like but admit that it has issues. They really need to do more to add more continuity from ep to ep.

I have Surface on an SP on my 2nd TiVo. Haven't gotten around to them yet....

boogiebugger

10-21-2005, 12:03 PM

I found "surface" to be underdeveloped and boring. It felt like something you could see on the Disney channel. No real danger, and the whole kid subplot was sappy, in my opinion. I have some friends that watch it, but these are the same people that think "Sahara" is a darned good movie.

"Threshold" was more interesting, even with some week character relationships. I felt like I was watching the nerds from the "X-Files"("the Lone Gunmen"). They made great characters, but giving them a show of their own didn't work. This show is better, but it revolves so much around the lead female...it almost feels top heavy. I still like it for taking risks and having some genuine scary moments. Basically it feels like that new show "Bones" with alien zombies.

I find Invasion to be the most interesting of the three. It is allowing the most time to get to know the characters, and the dialogue seems the least forced. That being said, it seems to suffer from "Lost" syndrome, where it wants to drag out what is actually happening. I do admit to feeling let down each week, because I'm not getting more information about what is going on.

Still, I like "Invasion" because it has a more grounded feel to it. I'm still interested in these characters enough to care what happens with them. Hopefully they can recruit a couple of the writers from "Lost" to help tighten it up.

None of these shows is as good as "Lost", nor should I expect them to be. With "Lost", I can't wait until the next episode. Although I have "Lost" in my series schedule, it seldom needs to be, since I'm watching it when it airs.

lslingo

10-21-2005, 12:41 PM

My wife and I set SP's for all of them. She started out liking Invasion the best and Surface the least. Now, she can't even watch an entire ep. of Invasion but she really likes Surface and Threshold.

As for me, I'm sort of an instant gratification guy. With Threshold and Surface, we've gotten glimpses and things are progressing. With Invasion, we're on like ep 4 or 5 now and I still know nothing. I'm sick of the Sheriff. If they don't start offering something of substance soon, it's gone. It's disappointing. It had lots of promis, but it seems to me that its all been hype.

lslingo

joeinma

10-21-2005, 03:33 PM

Have to go with Surface myself, followed by Invasion (which is getting better week by week).

While I still watch Threshold, I am starting to lose interest. It showed great promise the first week, but how many weeks in a row can we watch them try to stop the signal and chase down the infected? Right now it's really no different then Medical Investigation was last year...both looked for causes of "infection", the infected and how to stop it. The only thing keeping me watching is Carla Gugino.

Juaru5

10-21-2005, 03:41 PM

I originally voted for Invasion, but I have since changed my mind and seem to prefer Surface.

I've now deleted Threshold from my SP.

John Arthur
www.JonRocket.com

Steveknj

10-21-2005, 04:16 PM

I'm pretty disappointed in all of them, but the only one I have kept my season pass, at least for now is Invasion. But it is moving WAY too slow. I want to really see what these aliens look like instead of just the yellow light

lslingo

10-21-2005, 04:43 PM

Maybe I'm not seeing the light. What do you Invasion fans find so appealing about the show? What keeps you tuning in?

lslingo

DLiquid

10-21-2005, 05:26 PM

Maybe I'm not seeing the light. What do you Invasion fans find so appealing about the show? What keeps you tuning in?Desperation. For some decent sci fi, that is. I'm willing to give this new crop of sci fi shows more of a chance than I would other shows, because they're sci fi. A lot of sci fi shows I've enjoyed have started off kind of weak (e.g., Star Trek: TNG, Farscape). Invasion has been getting a little bit better, in my opinion. Surface has been getting a little bit worse, but it is still more of a fun show than the other two. Threshold was so bad I just couldn't stand it any longer. It also didn't even feel sci fi to me, it felt like a cop show.

bicker

10-22-2005, 07:40 AM

Maybe I'm not seeing the light. What do you Invasion fans find so appealing about the show? What keeps you tuning in?I agree. There just isn't enough there to be worth watching. I'll give my wife the benefit of the doubt a few weeks longer, but both Surface and Invasion are getting worse.

Threshold is still the best of the three IMHO. At least I care about whether the Tivo catches the episode or not...

Hoffer

10-22-2005, 09:26 AM

In my last post in this thread, I was watching Invasion and Surface. I had given up on Threshold.

Well, now I no longer watch any of these shows. I find them all to be hokey and I just don't enjoy them.

ifyoubelieve

01-31-2006, 07:41 AM

I miss Firefly!

BrandonSi

01-31-2006, 11:03 AM

How does everyone still feel, seeing that it's been 3 months since the last post discussing the three.. Anyone change their minds since then?

SparkleMotion

01-31-2006, 11:09 AM

I liked Threshold early, but it lost me (and my SP) just a few weeks into it. Same with Invasion.

I saw the Surface pilot, but didn't keep up with it at all until over the holidays when I got totally caught up in a weekend and decided it was really quite interesting, particularly once the origins of the creatures were determined (Martha Plimpton! Great cameo!).

I didn't vote when the thread started though, so no actual change...but my vote's registered now. :)

Jeeters

01-31-2006, 01:01 PM

I, too, gave up on Threshold after a just a few weeks.

I've stuck with invasion and I now like it. Especially in the last couple weeks where things are finally starting to pick up some speed. I think William Fichtner is doing some excellent character acting in this show; I hope he gets some recognition for it.

Still like Surface. I know it's often preposterous, with tons of 'no way would that work in the real world' science, but I'm OK with that. It's just trying to spin a good yarn which I think it does really well.

WinBear

01-31-2006, 01:11 PM

After seeing how Threshold floundered with it's "convert of the week" method despite a great cast, I was really surprised to see the other 2 hang on like this. Both Surface and Invasion are just starting to hit their strides. I hope they both get a chance to continue for different reasons.

SoBelle0

01-31-2006, 01:12 PM

I didn't vote then either - but did now. :)

I kept Invasion - altho it now seems to compete with something else, b/c I haven't seen any new eps. After hearing from Jeeters, think I should investigate that...
got rid of Threshold about 3 eps in...
and, never saw Surface, but understand it's on Sci-Fi now so I may check into it.

bicker

01-31-2006, 03:37 PM

I still believe Threshold was the best of the bunch. Invasion has gotten somewhat better; enough so that we're still watching it. Surface has sucked-wind since the beginning, and the only reason why we still watch it is because my wife loves Nim <roll eyes>, and that we've practically gotten a promise that the series is ending next week.

Thom

01-31-2006, 05:23 PM

I started watching all three at the beginning, but quit watching Invasion. I still the Season Pass and all the episodes, just haven't watched beyond the first 2 or so.

The Threshold characters were more interesting than the Surface characters.

It's hard to say because there are fewer Threshold episodes to compare against, but I think Surface has evolved its plot more. For example, Surface has gone from a government conspiracy to keep a new species secret, to genetic engineering, to human cloning by a business, to a private conspiracy to possibly remake the world in some new image (Noah's Ark warehouse).

And to think, originally I mainly wanted to see Lake Bell. :D

DLiquid

01-31-2006, 06:03 PM

My opinion hasn't really changed.

Threshold - Horrible, unwatchable.
Surface - Cheesy, unbelievable, bad special effects, but the most entertaining of the three.
Invasion - Often annoying with some real stinker episodes (inconsistent quality), but Fichtner is outstanding and there are some episodes that are better than the best Surface eps.