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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.
Surface
EMAILPRINTSERIES: NBC, Monday 8:00p (60 minutes)
Generally unfavorable reviews
Based on 23 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 283 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >
Show Info
Genre(s): Action / Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Created By:
Josh Pate
Jonas Pate
First Air Date: September 19, 2005
Summary
Starring Lake Bell, Jay R. Ferguson, Carter Jenkins, and Rade Sherbedgia
Strange creatures are found in the sea in NBC's sci-fi adventure which, unlike its last nautical series, is mercifully free of talking dolphins.
Episode Guide & More Info: More about this show at TV.com
Also On The Web: Official Show Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Los Angeles TimesRobert Lloyd
"Surface" is steeped in Spielberg, and is better Spielberg than Spielberg has managed in quite some time.
Read Full Review >Miami HeraldGlenn Garvin
Surface has no complex or cynical subtexts; it's straight-ahead sci fi.
Read Full Review >PopMattersCynthia Fuchs
It helps that Bell is able to suggest complexity, emotional and moral, even when the dialogue fails her.
Read Full Review >LA WeeklyRobert Abele
So far the stern-faced Lake Bell’s independent-minded oceanographer is too conventional a protagonist, while the series’ government cover-up thread... feels globally warmed over.
Read Full Review >Entertainment WeeklyDalton Ross
This by-the-numbers entry is pretty damn toothless. [23 Sep 2005, p.81]
The Onion A.V. Club
Surface can be creepy fun, but the obvious debt it owes to the oeuvre of Steven Spielberg--from the hidden beasts and government stonewalling to the suburban angst and working-mom pluckiness--makes the rest of the show feel blandly familiar.
Read Full Review >Chicago TribuneSid Smith
Though relentlessly ominous, "Surface" is, so far, only good for surface scares.
Read Full Review >NewsdayDiane Werts
The pilot serves up flashy ooh-ah instead of anything tangible to wrap our arms around.
Read Full Review >Orlando SentinelHal Boedeker
The most enjoyable moments go to the North Carolina boy (Carter Jenkins). It's too bad Surface didn't narrow its focus and become "A Boy and His Blob."
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-IntelligencerMelanie McFarland
Interesting, but the sprawling pilot doesn't do "Surface" any favors.
Read Full Review >USA TodayRobert Bianco
There isn't a moment of wonder or suspense in Surface, or a single performance or character that is even remotely involving.
Read Full Review >VarietyBrian Lowry
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.
Read Full Review >The New York TimesAlessandra Stanley
Offers a ho-hum monster and the kind of stock characters that we've seen too many times before.
Read Full Review >Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert
It's a bland Spielberg wannabe that doesn't succeed in evoking much creepiness or wonder
Read Full Review >Hollywood ReporterBarry Garron
There's nothing particularly appealing about any of the folks having the close encounters.
Read Full Review >Kansas City StarAaron Barnhart
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.
Read Full Review >Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen
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.
Read Full Review >New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley
Desperately trying to be mysterious like "Lost," this show, by any other name, turns out to be an ironically diluted version.
Read Full Review >San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman
You won't really want to spend another hour with these people.
Read Full Review >TimeJames Poniewozik
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.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-TimesDoug Elfman
The most confusing ensemble drama of the new season.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia InquirerJonathan Storm
One of the lead characters is an evolutionary biologist, which makes sense, since there's not a lot of intelligent design here.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this show is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 283 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
James M. gave it a10:
I loved this show..and never missed a single episode at all...I wish that they would have kept this show on the air. I think its time for a network that will show nothing but canceled shows that audiences enjoy.
Rach E. gave it a9:
The intellectual standard must not always be met to deliver an entertaining piece. This show, it one such case. While diverting from plausibility at times each episode is consistently entertaining with a charismatic leading cast. It's a fun hour to have with enough curious plot twists to tickle the imagination. It's a simple, honest show that deserves to be en joyed for the purity of what it is. A good program.
Adrian H. gave it a10:
Absolutely fantasic, an original story line that breaks the boundries of scifi and the family, a must for any family with teenage kids and parents alike
julie y gave it a10:
I loved this show and was very disappointed when it was cancelled
Masha M gave it a9:
My 9-year-old son and I happened to stumble on the Surface just this year on the re-runs and we are both very disappointed that it only made thru first season. WE are bog fans of the Stargate and that is canceled too. Some people mentioned Lost-- Lost had me lost, it felt like too complex to follow. Maybe Surface was too simple for the critics, but it sure made sense. I am so sick of getting hooked on the show and have the network cancel it. And, no, Sci-Fi channel won't pick it up either, they really don't care about the fans. It is really too bad!
Walter D gave it an8:
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.
maridy n gave it a10:
Its so captivating that my whole family fell for it! It was so good! It is the best series our family has seen in a long time,to bad we found that out by buying the dvd! WOW now we want more! This show ROCKS! I don't know anyone that could sit through one episode without wanting to see more! This show is a big hit! BRING ON MORE!
