Brikar

"Threshold"
Created by Bragi F. Schut
Executive Producers Brannon Braga and David S. Goyer
Directed by David S. Goyer

Despite the sheer level of vitriol slung about by hardcore Trek fans regarding anything with Brannon Braga's name on it, the pilot episode of "Threshold" is hardly the definition of "god-awful TV". For that, I heartily recommend any episode of the WB's "Birds of Prey" faux-Batman spinoff that tried to ride on the success of WB's then-hit "Smallville" Superman prequel.

"Threshold" focuses on a group of scientists brought together as part of a "contingency protocol" known as Threshold. Why it was called that, I don't know. After the crew of a naval boat in the Pacific witnesses some kind of alien phenomenon, the US government calls in these scientists along with a team of soldiers to board the boat and find out what happened to the crew. Once aboard, the find a single survivor and a number of mutilated corpses. A videotape recorded by one of the dead crew reveals what might be an alien craft - a strange, 4-dimensional construction that emits light and sound that can effect a human being physically.

The pilot presents a number of mysteries that may very well turn out interestingly enough in later episodes. The episode moves along at a brisk pace, though the time spent on the boat feels pretty short. It seems the North Koreans are on their way, which is the big problem with this episode - who cares? A US ship in distress has been boarded by the US military. So why is there a rush to scuttle it before the North Koreans get there? Other than that, things seem to move along in a logical way.

The characters interact well enough, and have particularly distinct personalities. Beyond that, though, it's fairly easy to see where they'll evolve: the two sexy leads will obviously begin to generate a sexual chemistry, while the three geeks will form a snappy friendship bond. Right now, the midget scientist is the highlight of the group.

Beyond all this, the pilot is a decent enough pilot. It presents the show's premise, introduces the characters and sets up a number of concepts that the show will undoubtedly return to and develop over time. David Goyer's direction is just like it was for his recent foray into motion pictures, "Blade: Trinity" - capable but bland. Nothing in "Threshold" particularly amazes, and the direction of the episode is more of the same. It works better when the 'scares' are integrated into the premise of the show - bugs and fish that swim in the same strange circular pattern as the electronic fingerprint of the show's logo, the forest of glass - than they do when theyr'e just standard moments like the lights of a corridor going out as a character runs down it, or closing a door and having another character suddenly standing there.

Overall grade: B-

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Deslok

I wasn't able to see it.

I honestly think that Braga was not well suited for Star Trek. There's a reason why Braga is working on Goyer's project, Braga simply isn't particularly creative. I mean, it's actually rare for even many established writers to get their ideas put into production. You have to network with people like crazy, kiss a lot of ass, have a good property to show them, get lucky, get a pilot made, get the order for more episodes, get a full season, and then wish upon a star that the show gets picked up for a second season.

Braga got very lucky when he was put on staff at Star Trek. It's just a shame that he didn't have any real passion for it. But that's Hollywood for ya. He does it because he can write and he is now established in Hollywood.

Interesting side note here... (sorry to go so OT) Braga did a tiny bit of writing on Mission Impossible, and now that ENT is gone, they're shooting on the old ENT lot at the Paramount soundstages.

But getting back to the point, Threshold may do okay, but there are two other vaguely similar sci-fi productions on the major networks this year. ABC seems to be climbing out of a slump lately and NBC seems to do very well after taking a page from the FOX book of programming.

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Brikar

Braga and Moore wrote the story for "Mission: Impossible 2" - but their original storyline bears almost zero resemblance to the final movie. The only elements Cruise and Woo ended up keeping were the virus/antidote Chimera and Bellerephon and the idea of the rogue IMF agent. After that, Woo ended up ordering massive rewrites of the movie in order to make it fit into ideas for specific shots and action sequences he wanted to do.

__________________
"A million monkeys typing until the end of time will produce the complete works of William Shakespeare. Ten thousand monkeys typing for ten thousand years will write a Hemingway. Ten monkeys typing over Columbus Day weekend will give you a Dan Brown."

http://olympusmans.blogspot.com
http://benforrealz.blogspot.com

Bean

My disdain for Braga notwithstanding, I wasn't at all impressed by Threshold. I found it to be extremley predictable. I know that here are alot of reviews going around the net right now that compare it to X-Files, and why not? It already seems like an X-files remake. You've got the two lead "investigators" and then throw in the three dorks from "The Lone Gunmen" and you have a carbon copy of a once great sci-fi show.

Now, I DIDN'T find the episode to be awful and in all fairness I wasn't expecting it to be. I got exactly what I was expecting, and that's a half assed, vaguely worthy of being mentioned tv show. I'm not however going to give up just yet, it is just a pilot, and who knows, it has every oppourtunity to improve upon this. I think I was most put out by the rush to get everything into the ep. Introducing all the characters, forcing somewhat of a connection between the two leads, and not to mention revealing the entire premise of the show to us. That's alot of info to cram into a pilot, so I'm giving Threshold the benefit of the doubt.

I give it 4 episodes before I make my final judgment.

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Deslok

Yeah, you really can't judge a show by its pilot. TOS and TNG had pilots that were problematic.

What's amazing to me is that there is such a formulaic approach to the casting. and setup. I bet they'll kill somebody off if it's not working as it is. My money is on the midget.

I haven't seen this show yet, but it sounds like they're trying to set it up as a CSI meets sci fi. They'll go in whatever direction brings the ratings in.

I think I have "Braga Fatigue".

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Brikar

In fact, watching it, that's exactly what it felt like.

__________________
"A million monkeys typing until the end of time will produce the complete works of William Shakespeare. Ten thousand monkeys typing for ten thousand years will write a Hemingway. Ten monkeys typing over Columbus Day weekend will give you a Dan Brown."

http://olympusmans.blogspot.com
http://benforrealz.blogspot.com

Arik

I wanted to watch it, but I forgot that it was on Friday.

Brikar

Me too. I was out drinking, and just downloaded it the next day is all.

__________________
"A million monkeys typing until the end of time will produce the complete works of William Shakespeare. Ten thousand monkeys typing for ten thousand years will write a Hemingway. Ten monkeys typing over Columbus Day weekend will give you a Dan Brown."

http://olympusmans.blogspot.com
http://benforrealz.blogspot.com