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. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    100
    Convincingly smart, realistically unsettled and sexy as all get-out, Gugino radiates so much TV star power, it just might be visible from outer space.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    90
    The most exciting new show of the fall TV season.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    90
    Crisp, smart and spooky, this cerebral sci-fi drama is the best of the new "Something's out there" series.
  5. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    88
    It has everything you want from such a show: quirky characters, gifted actors, a captivating central story - and questions that leave you not only wanting more, but hungry for it.
  6. Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Reviewed by: Mark Dawidziak
    80
    Like "The X-Files," a series it resembles in both look and tone, "Threshold" is as much a horror show as it is a science-fiction program.
  7. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Aaron Barnhart
    80
    A violent, hair-raising combo of “The Ring,” “War of the Worlds” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” with a dash of official conspiracy.
  8. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    80
    Of the three [alien invasion series], this CBS series boasts the best light show. It has assembled the strongest cast. Above all, it establishes the most involving story and the one most likely to bring viewers back the following week.
  9. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    80
    May be the most riveting and the most haunting drama to air this fall.
  10. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    80
    Considering all that it has going for it, "Threshold" has a more formidable foe in Friday night apathy. Out of all the shows that could possibly conquer that, though, you couldn't place your faith in a better choice than this excellent proof of intelligent TV life.
  11. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    75
    Dinklage is particularly good here and the whole idea of trying to hide from the public the fact we've been invaded is intriguing fare.
  12. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    70
    Sci-fi purists might find it the taste of CBS' "Threshold" disconcerting, but for the rest of us, this is scary fun and suspenseful dramedy.
  13. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    70
    The cynical and cerebral Threshold is the darkest of the three new space-alien shows, so much so that the producers seem to be wondering if the human race is even worth saving.
  14. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    70
    "Threshold" seems to have a lot going for it. A good bunch of writers. Classy production. One of the season's quirkiest and most appealing casts,... Whether all these high-quality ingredients result in an intoxicating sci-fi stew remains to be seen.
  15. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    70
    "Threshold" holds back more than it reveals, and that is the right contingency plan for a successful science fiction thriller.
  16. The A.V. Club
    70
    It's only one good episode away from turning from intriguing to addictive.

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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