Surface

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 19, 2005
Metascore
39

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 23
  3. Negative: 12 out of 23
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Critic Reviews

  1. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    38
    There isn't a moment of wonder or suspense in Surface, or a single performance or character that is even remotely involving.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    30
    It's a bland Spielberg wannabe that doesn't succeed in evoking much creepiness or wonder
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    30
    There's nothing particularly appealing about any of the folks having the close encounters.
  5. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Aaron Barnhart
    30
    Whoever wrote the first episode of “Lost” didn’t crowd the screen with dimwits forced to recite grade-B TV drama drivel. By that standard, “Surface” doesn’t get a pass.
  6. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    30
    At first glance... it comes off as silly sci-fi, a not-so-intriguing series that wades into all-too-similar waters as two other fall shows. The difference in this one is that the water is noticeably more shallow.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    30
    Offers a ho-hum monster and the kind of stock characters that we've seen too many times before.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    30
    The best thing about "Surface" thus far is NBC's promo campaign, which, sliced into bite-sized bits, actually makes the program look considerably better than it is.
  9. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    25
    Desperately trying to be mysterious like "Lost," this show, by any other name, turns out to be an ironically diluted version.
  10. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    25
    You won't really want to spend another hour with these people.
  11. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    20
    The series hopscotches to so many locations (the Carolinas, the Antarctic, the ocean trenches) that you briefly forget that it gives you no reason to feel afraid or intrigued or anything else.
  12. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    12
    The most confusing ensemble drama of the new season.
  13. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    10
    One of the lead characters is an evolutionary biologist, which makes sense, since there's not a lot of intelligent design here.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best TV Season of 2005
1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2005
41
#41 Most Shared TV Season of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 312 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 279 out of 312
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 312
  3. Negative: 28 out of 312
  1. JessTurner
    Mar 8, 2018
    10
    I really wanted to see where this went... but canceled. A good gem for the intrepid to unearth when they tire of the current crop of trash.
  2. rabaker07
    Apr 13, 2015
    0
    This show is awful. Unfortunate because there might have been something there, but the writing and acting are so horrifying that the show isThis show is awful. Unfortunate because there might have been something there, but the writing and acting are so horrifying that the show is actually hard to watch.… Full Review »
  3. Tss5078
    Feb 2, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Long before creating The Event, the Pate brothers had another show on network TV, Surface. The premise of the show was different and I think people really would have gotten into it if not for the way the show was presented.

    All over the world, people are suddenly seeing sea monsters. The United States Government tries to cover it up, passing the creatures off as a hoax, but that's not good enough for marine biologist, Laura Daughtry (Lake Bell), who is almost killed by one on a deep sea expedition. Together with a scuba expert, who lost his brother, they investigate these creatures, and try to prove just how real they are. At the same time, a young boy in suburban North Carolina has discovered a baby sea monster and has decided to train it and keep it as a pet, leading to some pretty funny and outrageous moments.

    The way this show was presented was really strange and problematic. For 12 episodes, the series just runs around in circles, with the group trying to prove the existence of the mysterious creatures, the government trying to cover up the creatures existence, and this young boy who has decided to keep one as a pet. It isn't until episode 13 where things finally start to take shape. It takes 13 episodes before we even learn about the vast conspiracy behind the whole thing and that's when things really get interesting.

    The sea creatures and special effects were cool, but I'd imagine that most people got bored with it after a few episodes, the way I did. Why not bring in this mysterious group and conspiracy sooner and add a little intrigue to the show? If they had, maybe people would have seen Surface as something more than a badly scripted show, hiding behind it's special effects.

    Lake Bell, an actress I've never really liked, stars as the marine biologist, and was beyond fantastic. This could have easily been a career defining role for her, had the show lasted. Bell is paired with former child star, Jay Ferguson, who I would have been fine with if not for his awful and completely annoying New Orleans accent. Finally, the cast is rounded out by young Carter Jenkins, a kid who has made somewhat of a name for himself. After the excitement of the sea creatures and special effects wore off, it was Jenkins antics with little nimrod that kept the show watchable. Jenkins was terrific and if it wasn't for this angle of the show, I probably wouldn't have even made it to 13 episodes.

    Surface was a show with potential, but the writers waited far to long to release their bombshells and conspiracies, leading to an audience that tuned out after a couple of episodes. Thankfully, the Pate brothers learned from their mistakes and came back with The Event, a terrific show that gained a cult following. While The Event didn't make the cut either, it was certainly much more enjoyable than Surface ever was.    … Full Review »
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