Threshold

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 16, 2005
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26

Critic Reviews

  1. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    60
    The cast is startlingly good... given that the actors have to deliver lines like "I think we're looking at a four-dimensional object--in three- dimensional space!"
  2. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Robert Abele
    60
    This is a series about whip-smart heroes, with an outbreak to contain each week, usually involving quick action, rapid analysis and fast wit.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Gillian Flynn
    58
    With all of its bad-guy chases, Threshold feels like a fantasy series that's been focus-grouped into a cop show.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    50
    "Threshold" is a comic book, and passable as such.
  6. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    50
    The premise is fun, but if this is CBS' attempt at "Lost," then they are, if not totally lost, certainly in need of a map. And a new writer. Some of the dialogue is laugh-out-loud bad.
  7. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    40
    When the show isn't creeping us out with its grim atmosphere and effects, it's undermining its own potential with a self-consciously cutesy gang of heroes, ill-advised humor, and illogical situations.
  8. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    40
    The first hour manages to feel both mechanical and manipulative, without feeling truly exciting or even grounded anyplace.
  9. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    40
    There's too much emphasis on fictional scientific theories and not enough character development to make the few scares in "Threshold" worth a two-hour commitment.
  10. Slate
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    40
    The show's focus remains frustratingly narrow.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best TV Season of 2005
24
#24 Most Discussed TV Season of 2005
35
#35 Most Shared TV Season of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 58
  3. Negative: 7 out of 58
  1. SwarleyStinson
    Sep 2, 2012
    4
    The pilot was very good and looked like a set up for a serialized show, but from episode 3 onward its actually a monster of the week format,The pilot was very good and looked like a set up for a serialized show, but from episode 3 onward its actually a monster of the week format, with people getting infected by the aliens every episode and it become very boring.… Full Review »
  2. filmboy
    Jan 25, 2015
    1
    Threshold is a disaster. Completely incompetent, unsympathetic characters. Carla Gugino running aimlessly, constantly mouth open like a fish,Threshold is a disaster. Completely incompetent, unsympathetic characters. Carla Gugino running aimlessly, constantly mouth open like a fish, with lips that look as if her boyfriend beat her at night. That's all what it does as a scientist. Brian Van Holt also tried his role frantically to express. Unfortunately, he has only one or at most two facial expressions. Embarrassing. To further fail all other perk. Peter Dinklage plays also a pitifully role.If scientists and government officials consist of such clumsy idiot when alien come, then good night.
    The only exception: Brent Spinner. He is also the only one who makes meaningful contributions to the thing itself. At Brannon Braga: Eccentric behavior does not necessarily mean disability! The series is thus completely ludicrous. Illogical and even stupid. Quite rightly, the series was canceled.
    A benefit of having found a backer for this miserable job performance. That's worth an asterisk.    … Full Review »
  3. WoodyPidcock
    May 28, 2011
    10
    Somebody important wanted to kill this series. It switched from Friday to Tuesday unannounced to its viewers and then when nobody watched it,Somebody important wanted to kill this series. It switched from Friday to Tuesday unannounced to its viewers and then when nobody watched it, the show was cancelled the next day.

    I liked the way it portrayed the unrestricted power of secret government agencies.    … Full Review »
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