Over the past decade, science-fiction programming has declined rapidly in quality.
Sure, there is an entire cable network dedicated to the genre (SyFy, formerly the Sci Fi Channel), but unless you feel like paying for cable programming, network TV has very little to offer.
Recent science-fiction series on the networks have all been disappointments, and many have seen quick cancellation: Shows including ABC's "Invasion" (2005), CBS's "Threshold" (2005) and NBC's "Bionic Woman" (2007), for example, all come to mind.
The few relative hits in the sci-fi genre, NBC's "Heroes" and "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," meanwhile, are pretty much circling the drain.
When the track record is this poor, fans have a legitimate reason to be skeptical whenever the networks market a new project as the next sci-fi hit.
Based on the pilot of ABC's much-anticipated action-drama "V," however, sci-fi fans may have reason to celebrate.
"V" is already critically acclaimed, and appears to be a ratings hit: The series premiere, which aired last Tuesday at 8 p.m., garnered 13.9 million viewers, ranking first in its time slot and first for all new series premieres this season.
A reimagining of a 1984 miniseries, "V," which recounts the story of technologically advanced aliens invading Earth, provides an imaginative spin on the cliche of the alien invasion.
The series does recall some previous incarnations of this theme: The show's pilot features a scene eerily reminiscent of "Independence Day" (1996), in which the visiting mothership fleet appears in over 29 major cities around the globe. But these aliens, unlike those who battled Will Smith, ostensibly have a message of peace and camaraderie, rather than the usual goal of world domination.
The Visitors (hence the title "V") are received by humans with feelings ranging from paranoia to worship.
Tensions really begin to escalate, however, when the Visitors' intentions turn out to be far more sinister than was originally thought.
In only 40 minutes, the series premiere packed in examinations of a multitude of complicated issues: identity crises, religious devotion and political duplicity. Constantly unfolding new details kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
The show's cast includes an incredible lineup of television veterans. Erica Evans, most recently seen on ABC's "Lost" as Juliet, stars as an FBI agent skeptical of the Visitors' intentions. Morena Baccarin, who viewers may recognize from her role on FOX's "Firefly," gives a fantastic performance as the Visitors' high commander.
And, in addition to the compelling story and characters, the production values of "V" are remarkable.
Each episode feels more like a big-budget movie than an average installment of TV. With plenty of gunfights and explosions, "V" certainly keeps the intensity at a high level.
Although only two episodes have aired, it is difficult to deny the near-certain awesomeness of the franchise. I can only hope that the rest of the season can do justice to this amazing start.
ABC plans to air tw0 more episodes of "V" this fall, and the remainder of the episodes will air after the Winter Olympics in March 2010.
"V" can conceivably serve as the future linchpin of ABC's schedule.
And, maybe just maybe it will be the glorious sci-fi comeback that we have all been waiting for.
