I just finished watching the final (un-aired) episode of Threshold on DVD and you can add it to my list - the list of TV shows that I enjoyed but got cancelled in their first season - right behind Firefly and Over There.
I never heard about Threshold when it was actually on TV in 2005, instead catching re-runs on SciFi Channel long after its demise. A combination of sci-fi, horror and police drama, the show was well written, creative and had very high production values.
The premise of the show is that some alien race sends a probe to "contact" us and it follows the format of a Greg Bear novel, ie the aliens are not ET trying to phone home; rather they kick our ass and we are powerless to stop them.
Sadly, the show had to be cancelled to make room for such wonders as Dancing with the Stars, Armed & Famous and CSI: Cincinnati. While a bit too graphic at times, it definitely a lot of creepy suspense and was much better than Invasion. Definitely worth a DVD rental.
Which leads me to another thought. What is up with Hollywood the past few years? Lost, Invasion, Threshold, Jericho on TV and a whole slew of horrible slasher movies like Saw I, II, III not to mention Mel Gibson's contributions or the never-ending string of "serial killer" cop shows like CSI.
For the past several years there has been an unending series of TV shows and movies with the same basic premise: we are under attack by unknown forces, we are totally vulnerable and we are losing the battle.
No more Bosom Buddies or Andy Griffith - the themes today are not light, funny or optimistic. Instead they keep trying to one-up themselves depicting violent, bloody deaths. Lighten up already, America!
What I would like to see is a global warming show. Here is my screenplay:
The USA elects Jed Bartlett, who takes a global leadership position on global warming. Instead of building his personal oil fortune waiting for the global tsunami, he unites the nations of the world to take a serious, global stand on the environment. Democrats and Republicans remember that they are both Americans and put aside the hate and petty politics to work together on a threat that faces everyone on the planet. Scientists are recognized for doing science and the world is educated about the undeniable threat, not about intelligent design or creationism.
The US and others move trillions of dollars that were earmarked for unnecessary defense projects into developing new technologies. Laws are passed that both prohibit business as usual and create new markets for green technology. Cars are completely replaced with light-weight vehicles that generate zero emissions; coal plants are converted to clean technologies or shut down; the transportation industries down-size and completely stop burning petroleum.
When the ice caps do melt and the ocean rises 15m, the world is prepared for it. Food production is saved and people are safely relocated to higher ground. Instead of destroying ourselves, we admit the problem and face it head on only to survive the challenge and create a better future.
Ya, how about a show like that Hollywood? I know, I know, it will never fly. Alien invasions are much more believable than Democrats and Republicans working together.
