A-Ron-2

I will agree that the end of the two-hour pilot (which I sense that the last reviewer only saw the first half of) was a bit lame, but I think that this show has some possibilities... but only if they accept the limitations of a one-trick-pony show. Unlike the X-Files, this show doesn't seem to have the potential to broaden its fundamental premise, or explore alternatives to the show's main narrative. Now, I could be wrong, and the producers may well intend that each season (much like Buffy) contains some kind of apocalyptic arc that will be developed and resolved, leaving room for the next apocalypse to creep up... or perhaps the Threshold team will be encountering multiple apocalypses at once and running parallel story lines (this would seem to be a bit harder to do)... I must say that the pilot did not inspire a sense that the creators of the show recognized the limitations that they have imposed on themselves, and thus will likely self-destruct by mid-season... As I have pointed out before, the only successful formulae for sci-fi/fantasy shows are demonstrated by the Twilight Zone (single shots, no continuity), Buffy (single season continuity with some running themes), and the X- Files (multi-season continuity, but with individual show plot diversity). This show, sadly, does not appear to embrace ANY of these formulae and so, regardless of the writing, the interest, or the acting... it will unlikely maintain a solid fan base (especially on Friday night... darn, I just realized I missed the new Battlestar Galactica!). Hopefully the creators will recognize these limitations and work to ameliorate them, because I think that the cast, the writing, the special affects, and the 'feel' of the show are worth attempting to preserve... however, they won't be able to pull of a weekly chronology of a single alien invasion for multiple seasons with no side-stories...

The concept of the Threshold Group seems to be open to multiple plot options and a flexible story system, but I am concerned after seeing the pilot that the creators may focus too much on this single alien threat and tread water until cancellation...

In other words, decent enough show... hope the guys making it don't muck it up.

It kind of reminds me of the first season of the X-Files (the sloppy writing, awkward acting, etc.), but in a good way. I think that if the WB gives the show a chance, it could develop into something worthwhile... the acting was decent... good visuals... the writing needs to be a bit crisper, and they should probably not rely too heavily on 'stock' monsters (i.e. the Lady in White in the first episode)... they should aim to make each creature they encounter unique (or to take a unique spin on an old idea, again like the X-Files)...

If they manage to get few seasons under their belt, I am sure that there is some 'conspiracy' or 'mythology' that will develop in the various stories, but here is where the main problem lies... if this is to be an X-Files clone (and I have no real problem with that, per se), it needs to have a strong hook and the problem with supernatural themed shows is that such hooks tend to boil down to a sort of manichaean battle between the forces of Good and the forces of Darkness... whereas, in the X-Files, an alien invasion is something that could, conceivably, be affected by human actions in a meaningful way, such supernatural struggles between God and Satan (or whatever the show is going to call them) really leave the characters in a lurch... the show will either embrace some kind of religious theme (which would be cool, but unlikely), or it will aim toward some kind of Apocalypse... if the creators are smart, they will aim for a more Buffy-style story arc with lots of little Apocalypses leading up to something major... and perhaps introduce some extraneous characters (to be killed off at opportune times, of course)... otherwise, it runs the danger of becoming another Millennium, which would be a very bad thing (sad that so much creative energy went into such a mediocre show).

Anyway, getting back to Supernatural... the show has promise... it could build some kind of fan base if given an opportunity (although, I am not sure that The Gilmore Girls is exactly the right lead in... maybe Smallville or something... grab that teen and geek audience)... I am not sure that the Gilmore Girls audience will stick around, and I am not sure the buzz is good enough for people to jump over from other channels just to see it. I will definitely watch the next few episodes, but I have a measured expectation of the shows potential... it will definitely need to pick up from the pilot, which was OK, but not fantastic.

I personally did NOT care much for this show... I didn't care about the characters, the crime was lame, and the resolution contained no pay off... however, I also hate all the CSIs, most of the Law and Orders, and nearly every other procedural crime drama that involves 'characters' (I don't watch the show for characters, I watch it for the crimes... duh!)... but I am, apparently, in a minority as all the shows I just mentioned are immensely popular, so I figure this show has a 50/50 chance of success... it might be just enough to tantalize the bored housewives and forensics geeks that it was clearly designed to appeal to... it didn't do much for me, though... so I will leave a more specific review to more capable (and interested) hands.