It seemed that for years the only science fiction shows you could find on regular network television were "Star Trek" and "The X-Files." If you wanted some sci-fi to make your weekend, you really needed to turn to the Sci-Fi Channel. But last year, it seems that the network suits decided that the genre was 'in' and there were more sci-fi shows running around than you could shake a laser pointer at. As a matter of fact, each of the major networks had their own 'alien invasion' series. Each series had its own special twist on the concept. Unfortunately, all three shows were summarily cancelled, once again making the networks a vast wasteland of 'reality' drek. In a rather ironic twist, all three shows are also finding their way onto DVD within a week of each other. One of the ones coming out this week is CBS' "Threshold," which starred Carla Gugino, Brian van Holt, Peter Dinklage, and Brent Spiner (yes…THAT Brent Spiner) as a group of scientist trying to avert an alien disaster.

These particular aliens exist in a sort of 4th dimension and plan their invasion by altering the DNS of humans to turn them into aliens. They start of pretty slow, starting the ball rolling with the men of a fishing trawler. But their idea is formed from watching an old shampoo commercial as they hope that each of the men who survive the alteration will alter two friends, and then they'll alter two friends, and so on and so on.

Being that I like a good sci-fi show, I was intrigued by the concept of this show and thought there might be some promise. It was cancelled before all of the episodes could air, so I had to wait for the DVD release in order to catch it. I went in realizing that there would be no resolution, which is a frustration of reviewing DVDs for cancelled shows, after all… what if I totally got into it? That didn't really happen in this case, however. "Threshold" was fairly good, but not great. The storyline was interesting enough to keep my attention, but I never felt any real connection to most of the characters. It was this feeling of detachment that kept me from fully getting into the series. Judging from what I saw of the episodes that didn’t air, and some of the directions the series was going to take (which was discussed in the extras), it might have improved over time, but I guess we'll never know.

As for the DVD set from Paramount, it includes the entire run of the series, including the several episodes that never aired. These episodes certainly opened up a lot of possibilities for the series, but keeping them off the air didn’t help. There are also several special features, including a commentary by the series executive producers David Goyer and Brannon Braga on the pilot episode. In terms of featurettes, there is a four part documentary that covers the creation and casting of the series, as well as touching upon where the plot might have gone if it hadn’t been cancelled. You'll also find a featurette focusing on the show's special effects and a few deleted scenes.

Each of the 'alien invasion' series that aired last year had their share of strengths and weaknesses, in the case of "Threshold", it had a great plot but un-engaging characters.

Episodes:
Trees Made of Glass
Blood of the Children
The Burning
Shock
Pulse
The Order
Revelations
Progeny
The Crossing
Outbreak
Vigilante
Alienville

Starring: Carla Gugino, Brian Van Holt, Brent Spiner, Robert Patrick Benedict, Peter Dinklage
Extras: The Threshold Brain Trust" 4-part documentary, "Threshold Visual Effects" featurette, "Behind the Fractal" featurette with writer-producer Andre Bormanis,
Deleted Scenes, Commentary on the pilot episode "Trees Made of Glass" by Executive Producers David Goyer and Brannon Braga
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 8/22/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Threshold: The Complete Series a C.