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Creepy ‘Threshold’ worth a look
For those who remember fondly when Friday was home to “The X-Files,” CBS’s “Threshold” premieres tonight (at 8 p.m.) hoping to stimulate similar affection.
The two shows aren’t the same quality sci-fi. “The X-Files” was in a superlative category by itself. But “Threshold” is intriguing — and it stars Carla Gugino, known by some for her short-lived but brilliant outing in the detective series “Karen Sisco.”
And, really, what else is there to watch on Friday nights?
In “Threshold,” Gugino plays Molly Caffrey, a contingency analyst for National Security whose specialty is coming up with a response to an alien invasion. Probably a job she never thought she’d actually perform, but in tonight’s pilot she’s put to work after a really creepy incident involving a U.S. Navy ship in the Atlantic.
The crew of the ship witnesses a UFO, prompting the men, one by one, to go nuts and begin killing each other.
Deputy National Security Adviser J.T. Baylock (Charles Dutton) calls in Caffrey and her team of experts to examine the ship. Expect a few chills and jolts as the distressed vessel is explored: The dead aren’t just dead, they’re semifrozen and deformed.
And, even more jolting, there’s a dazed and creepy survivor. You will not be surprised to learn he’s not normal.
As the team of experts watch a video that was taken by the crew predemise, they begin to have nosebleeds. Others have nightmares — and learn that their colleagues had the same nightmares.
What brought this alternate life force to Earth and what does the future hold? Those big questions are the driving force of the series. The real question, though, is whether “Threshold” the series can sustain the suspense and creepiness of the “Threshold” the pilot.
And whether anyone will want to say home on Friday nights to watch.
Lance & Sheryl: They’re everywhere!
Seven-time Tour de France champ and Austin hometown hero Lance Armstrong and his rock star fiancee Sheryl Crow talk about life, love and their plans to marry on tonight’s edition of “20/20” (9 p.m. on ABC, KVUE Channel 24).
Maybe Armstrong will settle his yo-yo thoughts on whether he’ll return to the Tour for an eighth time. First he said he was finished, then he said he was so ticked off at the French he might return, then he told American-Statesman reporter Suzanne Halliburton in today’s article that, no, he really is finished. But who knows? He’s changed his mind before, right? Maybe he’ll tell Elizabeth Vargas something entirely different.
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By Joi Holcomb
September 16, 2005 02:31 PM | Link to this
For Friday viewing, I think "Numbers" is a very good show. It's nice to see a show that celebrates science in a non-CSI manner. All of the characters are likable and good actors. And even if the premise is a little far reaching, it's still good entertainment. Just my 2 cents.
By Chel
September 16, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this
I am surprised to hear you say that "Threshold" may be the only thing to watch on Friday nights. Have you watched the new Battlestar Gallactica? It is a thrilling drama that has well developed characters and realistically shows how the characters deal with their extraordinary circumstances.