Threshold
POSTED BY: Sickdude
UPDATED: Monday, February 13, 2006 19:06
VIEWED: 10011
PAGE 1 of 4
Okay, this is to point out why this is a great and unusual show in the hopes of recruiting more viewers, and also provide an interesting tidbit to fans of the show. Although the ratings are good, they only pull in 75% of the audience for "Ghost Whisperer", its lead in. The original order was for 13 episodes, and CBS just ordered three more scripts (not episodes). The show is truly on the bubble, and I'm enjoying it to much not to post!
1) Female lead. Although there are a few shows with a pair of leads (like X-Files or 4400), there are very few where the one and ony lead is female. Only Buffy and Veronica Mars come to mind.
2) Conspiracy from the inside. Ever since X-Files, it seems like EVERY show has had a conspiracy element. But Threshold is the only one to show it from the inside (with the possible exception of SG-1). We see why it's important they keep this covered up.
3) Bio-forming. Usually in an alien invasion show, they are taking over with brain-washing, body-snatching, or rayguns. Here, the aliens have concluded that the best way to take over the planet is to convert us into them. How novel is that?!
4) We're losing. Even though our heroes are barely managing to win each battle, there are hints that they are losing the war. The fractal pattern in the traffic, the increasing likelihood that a prisoner will escape, etc. This thing is spreading exponentially like a virus, and our team is barely riding the learning curve now. What's more, check out this interview with a writer, David Goyer:
http://actionadventure.about.com/od/tvshows/p/aathresholdpre.htm
Quote:
Goyer Says Threshold Will Change Its Name Every Year: “Her contingency plan is broken into three stages. It goes Threshold, Foothold and Stranglehold. In the end of the first season, that’s when the news gets out to the general public that it’s happening and the sh*t hits the fan even more. They have to declare marshal law in season two. By season three, we’re kind of in 28 Days Later land.” CBS has not committed to the name change officially. “Well, they’ll never give you a contractual commitment but they liked the idea of that,” said Goyer.
I know I'm coming off as the rabid Chrisisall talking about Dark Angel (just kidding, Cisall!
), but I really want this show to do well. Any thoughts? "Don't say 'ka' until you've tried it." Daniel Jackson
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I've been watching it, too. So far, I have most enjoyed the performances of Brent Spiner and Peter Dinklage. They inject some much-needed humor.
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I'm in too, doin' my (small and insignificant) part.
Maybe we could make fractal-pattern flyers. Sort of a "You've just been infected" thing if anyone looks at it.
We could even do some kinda photoshop thing to the writing, so that people have to look closely to read it. By the time they can recognize the words, they've already stared at it for a bit. Already too late. 
Talk about "can't stop the signal."
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We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cybersnark:
I'm in too, doin' my (small and insignificant) part.
Maybe we could make fractal-pattern flyers. Sort of a "You've just been infected" thing if anyone looks at it.
We could even do some kinda photoshop thing to the writing, so that people have to look closely to read it. By the time they can recognize the words, they've already stared at it for a bit. Already too late.
Talk about "can't stop the signal."
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.
Ha ha! That'd be good!
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Awesome! Once again I think I'm the only one watching a show and find others out there. Huzzah! I hope it survives too, but thinking Ghost Whisperer viewers will tune in is a bit naive. Two totally different shows.
I watch "Ghost" too with my wife. It's a good one-two punch with the "Oh, poor dead person here you go now you can cross over into the light," to "We're going to transform your DNA. You better stop the signal." There's nothing in common. Ghost isn't scary, it's the new version of "Highway to Heaven."
I hope Threshold makes it.
Also, let me make a quick plug for Night Stalkers on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. It's a pretty creepy show, and I love it. Plus, it has this cool element going for it where one reporter tends to think the supernatural is involved (which is more likely than not) while the other uses rational explanations which sometimes proves to be true. Really, really good show. I can't say enough good things about it. Please, please, please give it a try.
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It is a good show, but I don't think it is great. Other than Brent Spiner, I haven't been convinced by most of the actors, especially Charles Dutton and Peter Dinklidge. Overall, the filming and execution have that CBS feel, which is aimed at viewers over 50, but the script is designed for the 18 to 35 range.
I watch it every week, but I am not going to lose sleep if it gets canceled. I have come to like Invasion the most of the three new sci-fi network shows.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sickdude:
"Don't say 'ka' until you've tried it." Daniel Jackson
Apparently, I Do Not watch enough tv!
How have I missed this show with a name that is my name (a liminal state is a threshold state)? And fractals! With fibonacci numbers, my very favorite things. The idea of changing the name every season...things are getting bendy out there, I like that a lot.
I love this idea. I will be checking it out tonight exactly.
I smile every time I see your DJ quote, I love that moment in SG1
Thanks to viral marketing...SERENITY: reopening soon in a theater near you.
Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!
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I have to agree with Patsrule. I have watched several episodes of Threshold and will probably watch more, but it just has not really grabbed me. I also think Invasion is the best of the three. It is nicely paced--with the mysteries unravelling slowly--and at times it is genuinely creepy. I think it may be the fact that the story is unfolding on a smaller stage and a more human scale makes it appealing to me. Just my 2 cents worth.
JingTsai
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Sorry, I won't even bother to watch this show. Brandon Bragia is producing it, and knowing how badly he bungled the last two Star Trek series, why would I want to get involved in another series that I know he'll just eventually ruin.
I'd given some thought to movin' off the edge -- not an ideal location -- thinkin' a place in the middle.
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I agree, I'm really loving this show, and I wish they'd move it to a more hospitable time slot. Friday night isn't a very good place for a show who's target demographic is young men.
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