Surface

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 19, 2005
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
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User Reviews

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  1. johnlockewalks
    Jul 16, 2011
    9
    this show is super fun and campy... all of you who don't like it obviously are just full of hate it like syfy original movie but marginally better cg and acting
    really solid "monster movie" score too just enjoy it fools!
  2. gearbox
    Sep 12, 2011
    9
    I loved this show it is fun for the whole family. I can't believe the critics were so harsh. It's was a lot of fun to watch. I watched all 15 episodes in a two day marathon with my girlfriend. Very sad there is no season II
  3. MarkC
    Jul 3, 2006
    8
    My family and I really enjoyed this show, and I'd still like to know how the saga ends.
  4. TracyF
    Nov 10, 2005
    8
    I think this is pretty good except for the whole Miles story line could have been eliminated, it seems the writers are too focused on Miles relationship with Nimrod. Are they trying to make a child star of Miles ? It also seems that they can't write more interesting dialog for Rich, he seems to say the same things over and over, " My brother is still alive.", " I talk to my brother." I think this is pretty good except for the whole Miles story line could have been eliminated, it seems the writers are too focused on Miles relationship with Nimrod. Are they trying to make a child star of Miles ? It also seems that they can't write more interesting dialog for Rich, he seems to say the same things over and over, " My brother is still alive.", " I talk to my brother." and keeps seeing visions of the hole.… Expand
  5. CharlesF
    Oct 14, 2005
    8
    You know, it's funny how this show was so thoroughly slammed by the critics. And yet, all the signs seem to indicate that it will outlive all of the season's other one-word-title-sci-fi dramas. While Threshold and Invasion are already stagnating, this show is a consistent pleasure. Sure, it was created by folks who got their cinematic education exclusively from the likes of You know, it's funny how this show was so thoroughly slammed by the critics. And yet, all the signs seem to indicate that it will outlive all of the season's other one-word-title-sci-fi dramas. While Threshold and Invasion are already stagnating, this show is a consistent pleasure. Sure, it was created by folks who got their cinematic education exclusively from the likes of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, JAWS and THE ABYSS. But they've learned well, and they've managed to bring a sense of big-screen adventure to the 1-hour TV serial format. The pacing is brisk. The tone is just right, not self-important and not smirky. The dialogue is snappy. The set pieces are unusually imaginative for TV. Add in some very appealing characters (Ferguson's take on Richard Dreyfuss' everyman especially), and you've got a very endearing show. What if the science is bunk? There's always Nova for that, and good as that show is, it doesn't exactly set the pulse racing the way Surface consistently does. Check it out yo'.… Expand
  6. bruced
    Dec 26, 2005
    8
    Great effects. Story line interesting but takes place in too many places. The submarine construction never would work esp at that depth. Savannah is hot like to see her in a more steamy scene. Very good but needs refining....Get rid of the attraction to holes and spinning water...corny
  7. Angel
    Apr 13, 2006
    8
    better than all the other 'there's something out there' shows!! good stuff!! one of my favorite shows from the season..can't wait for season 2!
  8. RobK
    Apr 17, 2006
    8
    When is the second season happening?
  9. LipwahL
    Jul 9, 2006
    8
    grest suspense without actual bllod & guts
  10. FlorianH
    Nov 2, 2005
    8
    Once this E.T was closely encountered, it showed jaws. But nevertheless, this multiple Spielberg-ripoff works. And is easily more enjoyable than its competitor "Threshold", which is an insult to an audience who likes the science in science fiction.
  11. FingerlakesDave
    Dec 1, 2005
    8
    In the era of Survivor, multi CSIs, etc., etc..... this is one of the more original shows on at the moment. Any SciFi appears to borrow from other SciFi. Science is science. It's in how you spin it. As for Miles, I'm waiting for he and Nimrod to meet up with either the government agent or Laura. Odds are Nirmod recovered from the gunshot. And I want to see the eggs Mile's In the era of Survivor, multi CSIs, etc., etc..... this is one of the more original shows on at the moment. Any SciFi appears to borrow from other SciFi. Science is science. It's in how you spin it. As for Miles, I'm waiting for he and Nimrod to meet up with either the government agent or Laura. Odds are Nirmod recovered from the gunshot. And I want to see the eggs Mile's boss brought in start to hatch! ;-) A better than average show!… Expand
  12. HugoM
    Feb 26, 2006
    8
    What will happen after the tsunami strikes the East Coast? NBC can't leave us with this question.
  13. BrianL
    Jul 17, 2006
    8
    While the show does lack a little bit in the acting department, I still "like" the characters in that I actually kinda care what happens to them. Thats hard to do especially given the wild story line (which is the main strength of the show). It is cheesy. It has cheep thrills. But neither of those comments are meant to be negative. Its not trying to be a serious movie, its a sci fi While the show does lack a little bit in the acting department, I still "like" the characters in that I actually kinda care what happens to them. Thats hard to do especially given the wild story line (which is the main strength of the show). It is cheesy. It has cheep thrills. But neither of those comments are meant to be negative. Its not trying to be a serious movie, its a sci fi action/suspense romp. I certainly hope they pick up a season 2. What I tell people about this show is that its like a good sci-fi novel. I can't wait to see the deeper motivations and corruption that spawned the monsters and.... is Rick's Bro Alive?… Expand
  14. MattU
    Aug 28, 2006
    8
    Pretty entertaining. A little heavy on the Spielberg cloning, and I'm not crazy about the "ET phone home" story with the kid and his alien pet that the evil government is after, but the overall plot is moderately engaging. The so-called "science" is laughable (e.g. calling an egg-laying amphibian a "mammal"), but hey, it's Hollywood, right?
  15. WalterD
    Mar 24, 2007
    8
    What happened with the show? It's over? Without disclosing the specimen origin's? It was a good show, with a very good argument, but it lost a lot when the scientist (i don't remember his name) was killed.
  16. ginnygin
    Oct 11, 2010
    7
    Was never given a fair go. Greedy networks treating us fans with contempt. Just pull the plug with no closure. Again. Maybe it's just the shows I like.
  17. Tss5078
    Feb 2, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand 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.    … Expand
  18. RolandV
    Sep 12, 2006
    6
    The show has some good special effetcs. But one character polutes/destroys the whole show. Its that enoying kid that took care of that little creature Nim Nimrod ?, it all smells to much ET !!! (lack of fantasy) . The character seems so stupid, for one example he doesnt tell anybody about the creature, and dont even tell others other weird stuff that happends. Im going to stop seeing this The show has some good special effetcs. But one character polutes/destroys the whole show. Its that enoying kid that took care of that little creature Nim Nimrod ?, it all smells to much ET !!! (lack of fantasy) . The character seems so stupid, for one example he doesnt tell anybody about the creature, and dont even tell others other weird stuff that happends. Im going to stop seeing this silly show.… Expand
  19. KevinM
    Oct 19, 2005
    5
    Science is all wrong (well, 75% of the time).... the kid plot smells of E.T... the story line mimics Close Encounters... the entertainment is in laughing at the story and the dialogue. Don't get me wrong, its entertaining, but in a train wreck type of way. I think it would be better if they drop Bell's son, and the entire "baby alien" in the hands of spoiled rich kids plot and Science is all wrong (well, 75% of the time).... the kid plot smells of E.T... the story line mimics Close Encounters... the entertainment is in laughing at the story and the dialogue. Don't get me wrong, its entertaining, but in a train wreck type of way. I think it would be better if they drop Bell's son, and the entire "baby alien" in the hands of spoiled rich kids plot and concentrate on the rest of the show. Anyone who thinks this is anything close to a 6+ show doesn't need to be handling a remote control.… Expand
  20. McFly
    Oct 20, 2005
    5
    This show would be alright if it wasn't for the terrible kiddie parts with the hobbit kid and his skank ho sister. The rest is ok so it gets a 5.
  21. Kastef
    Dec 4, 2005
    4
    The actors on this show have lost the will to act. The raft scenes had me slack jawed in amazment at the bad acting. Good story aside from the stupid owner love pet aspect. VFX slipping alongside the acting.
  22. MaxE
    Dec 24, 2006
    4
    If you're looking for so-called 'sci-fi' miniseries,i prefer you to watch Stargate SG-1.And if you're looking for mysterious and thrill one,i bet you should see LOST or Prison Break .Everything about this show is quite predictable,no stunning scene,..with the pretty silly dialogue..and one more thing..please use high quality FXs..this is sci-fi,rite?
  23. marshallm
    Oct 9, 2005
    3
    it's so cheesy that it's not even funny, dont watch it, go see " war of the worlds" in theatres, or watch "invasion", both alot better then this stuff.
  24. rmdashrf
    Aug 23, 2013
    3
    So you love science fiction? And your heart cries out for family-friendly heart warming sci-fi horror? Surface may just be what you're looking for. It's not good, though.
  25. chancew
    Nov 9, 2005
    2
    This show just doesn't work for me. I find the characters unbelievable, and the story just seems to be going in silly directions.
  26. ElizabethJ
    Jan 24, 2010
    1
    Carter Jenkins' performance is one of the worst I've ever seen. He has one expression, mild surprise. Much like Daniel Radcliff as Harry Potter. God Awful.
  27. RussellB
    Oct 25, 2005
    1
    This show could be ok...but the characters range from boring to downright annoying and kill the overall experience.
  28. KyleR
    Jan 17, 2006
    1
    Some of the absolute worst garbage I've ever seen foisted on the public as "science fiction." The idea of ancient giant reptilian seamonsters threatening the world isn't the worst idea, but everything about the rest of the show is just flat awful. Of COURSE the government is killing people to cover up something that obviously can't be kept covered up. Of COURSE there's Some of the absolute worst garbage I've ever seen foisted on the public as "science fiction." The idea of ancient giant reptilian seamonsters threatening the world isn't the worst idea, but everything about the rest of the show is just flat awful. Of COURSE the government is killing people to cover up something that obviously can't be kept covered up. Of COURSE there's a couple plucky people who manage, against all odds, to find proof of the seamonsters. Of COURSE a kid finds an egg from of one of these creatures and *GASP* forms a special bond with it. Etc. etc. etc. The only things more cliche than the lines are the characters (evil government man running the cover up, outcast kid hiding a mysterious creature from everybody, blah blah blah) and virtually every line of dialogue is clunky and unconvincing. The special effects are also obscenely substandard for this day and age, even for a TV miniseries, with heavy use of dark, murky underwater shots to gloss over obviously cheap computer effects. I'm not a big fan of Spielberg, but comparing this show to pretty much ANYTHING he's ever made would be a complete insult to him. If there was any justice, the very next episode would end the series, culminating in the destruction of the world of such stupid, shallow characters.… Expand
  29. susan
    Nov 28, 2005
    1
    This show has become ridiculous. Too bad, I love good sci-fi.
  30. mcmcmc
    Nov 11, 2011
    1
    this web site defaults all reviews to 10 so that the first time one submits a review one might be surprised to discover that their review that identifies a lousy show gets a rating of 10.... silly way to structure the functionality
  31. Dan
    Jan 27, 2006
    0
    Suckage. If you want good sci-fi, watch Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and/or Battlestar Galactica. On Sci-Fi channel 122 (satellite). New episodes every Friday. Watch it. The Neilson meter will look good if you do.
  32. 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 is actually hard to watch.
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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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    30
    It's a bland Spielberg wannabe that doesn't succeed in evoking much creepiness or wonder
    Read full review
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    12
    The most confusing ensemble drama of the new season.
    Read full review
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Sid Smith
    40
    Though relentlessly ominous, "Surface" is, so far, only good for surface scares.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »