Drawing on traditional science fiction themes and plots, Invasion has enough mystery to keep viewers watching early on, but quickly runs out of steam halfway through the season. The complete series is now available in a six-disc set that also features deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a look at the series’ creator Shaun Cassidy.
The series premiered on ABC as part of the 2005 fall line-up, and ran until May, 2006. It was one of three “sci-fi” themed shows (along with Surface and Threshold) that premiered on the three big networks in 2005, but failed to capture an audience before getting the cancelled slip.
The DVD’s special features are enjoyable, and I would highly recommend watching the various deleted scenes for some of the episodes. Many times, the scenes add crucial information to the series, and you have to question why some of them ended up on the cutting room floor. The gag reel is also fun to watch, but I would wait until after watching the entire series since there are a couple of spoilers in it.
Invasion was created by Cassidy (who also brought us the short-lived television series American Gothic and Roar), and featured a great cast of character actors – including William Fichtner, Eddie Cibrian, Kari Matchett, Lisa Sheridan, Tyler Labine, Alexis Dziena, Evan Peters and Ariel Gade.
The series “borrows” its basic plot from the classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers storyline, and expands it “X-Files” style to include government cover-up and the classic skeptic and believer buddy duo. It even throws in some family drama with the show’s main focus being on a two families (The Varons and the Underlays) made up of divorce parents and their new spouses that have to work together to discover what is happening. The series strength lies in its ensemble cast – most notably that of William Fichtner.
Mariel is just not the same since she went in the water
Plot wise, the series is fairly straight forward and follows the strange events that occur in the town of Homestead, Florida, following the landfall of Hurricane Eve. It seems that not only did Eve leave a wake of destruction, but also stirred up some strange glowing “fish” in the water. These fish seem to be having an affect on the locals.
As Russell, his reporter wife and her conspiracy spouting brother begin to investigate what is going on, they discover this is much bigger than they ever could have imagined, and that they are facing a fight for the survival of their family, community, and what might ultimately be the whole human race.
Like I said, Invasion has been done before, but the series benefits from the strength of its entire cast. Fichtner is great in the show, and you are never really too sure what he is doing for most of the series. He is the perfect actor for the part, and adds just enough air of mystery to the plot without letting it get too cliché.
Tyler Labine’s performance as the goofy brother-in-law Dave Groves adds enough comedy to the series to keep it from getting too dark. He also gives the audience someone they can relate with when the science gets too much.
Russell and Dave hunt down the truth
Cibrian and Kari Matchett (who plays his ex-wife Dr. Mariel Underlay) both give strong performances as parents wanting to keep their family safe, and forced to work together despite being divorced and remarried. I thought this blending of two families was an interesting aspect to add to a “traditional” science fiction show. At times the series seems to focus more on the family dynamics than what is happening in the water.
Even though I enjoyed the series, Invasion does have some faults, and some viewers may lose interest in it before popping in the second disc. It is clear from the first episode that this is going to be a series that provides more questions than answers (something made even more clearer when the last episode ends), and this style of show may be starting to lose some of its appeal.
Like Surface (which I also reviewed for the DVD set), the series suffers from dangling story elements that go unanswered thanks to cancellation. At times, its focus is lost in favor of side plots that do little to add to the overall enjoyment. Still, science fiction fans will want to give the show a chance, and won’t be too disappointed with the overall story - thanks mostly to the show’s ensemble cast.
*The following episode descriptions do contain spoilers. Readers may want to skip this portion of the review
Disc One episode 1: “Pilot” - The town of Homestead suffers from a major hurricane that leaves Dave convinced something extraterrestrial has arrived. Episode 2: “Lights Out” - After discovering an Air Force officer barely alive at the ranger station, Russell begins to question what befell the man when he notices his wounds are identical to Dave's wounds. Episode 3: “Watershed” - Russell and Mariel suffer a tragedy but it is made worse when Mariel tries to help. Meanwhile, Dave investigates a lost piece of jewelry. Episode 4: “Alpha Male” - The citizens start to question why the town is still under a quarantine that has cut off medical and building supplies. Russell and Sheriff Underlay must track down the source of a quickly spreading virus.
Disc Two episode 5: “Unnatural Selection” - Russell suspects Sheriff Underlay may be hiding something when he starts looking into the tragedy. Larkin calls upon an old flame to help her investigation into the military. Episode 6: “The Hunt” - Mariel attends a support group and Larkin realizes that someone is following her. Episode 7: “Fish Story” - Larkin barely survives a car crash and the fate of her unborn baby is unknown. Larkin gets picked up by a stranger, but she soon becomes suspicious of his motives. Episode 8: “The Cradle” – A young widow insist that an abandoned baby is not hers, and Mariel makes a horrifying discovery.
The series also features interesting family dynamics
Disc Three episode 9: “The Dredge” – A toxic pond contains the lifeless body of an alligator who may have died from a tummy ache. Episode 10: “Origin of Species” finds Dave abducted but not by aliens, and Deputy Sirk has a life-changing encounter. Episode 11: “Us or Them” – The survivors’ group attacks an outsider, and Mariel finally confronts Tom.
Disc Four episode 12: “Power” – Tom disappears with the kids for an adventure with a big black duffel bag. Episode 13: “Redemption” - Tom gets gunned down by a mysterious attacker, and has flashbacks to his survival from the 1996 plane crash. Episode 14: “All God’s Creatures” - Russell and Dave track a critter that lives by their house, and it seems he likes beer and Buddy Holly records. Episode 15: “The Nest” – Derek and nutty Christina return for some fun with Tom’s daughter.
Disc Five episode 16: “The Fittest” – Russell and Tom make for uneasy partners as they pursue Christina and Derek deep into the Everglades. Episode 17: “The Key” – School is back in session, but things are anything but normal. Episode 18: “Re-evolution” – Szura’s island holds terrifying secrets and Christina delivers her baby … err babies. Episode 19: “The Son Also Rises” – Russell blows the whistle on Szura, the island and the hybrids.
Disc Six episode 20: “Run and Gun” – With Szura at large in Homestead, Tom and Russell team up to save their families and the world. Episode 21: “Round Up” – Hurricane Miranda closes in, and Szura may be making his move. Episode 22: “The Last Wave Goodbye” –Armageddon time is here as the hybrids and the humans battle for survival.
Invasion is an extremely good show, but also has some problems that can easily cause viewers to lose interest before finishing the set. The series more than once “jumps the shark,” and the plot tends to get a little too large to maintain its main story. Also, viewers will probably be more than a little disappointed with the cliffhanger ending at the end of episode 22. Since there is no second season coming, the questions go unanswered, and we are forced to imagine where the series was headed.
Fichtner is great in the series and adds the proper amount of mystery
With that said, I would still recommend Invasion to any science fiction fan. If you enjoyed the series when it aired on television, you will want to check the DVD set out thanks to the deleted scenes. It also gives you a chance to catch any plot points that you might have missed watching it week to week. The series is also worth giving a chance if you never got into it when it aired on ABC.
Invasion is now available at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a Sept. 4th release. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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