A new science fiction series from writers Jay Beattie and Dan Dworkin (who previously co-created MTV’s “Scream: The Series”), “The Crossing” seems to borrow liberally from both “Star Trek” and “The Terminator,” telling the tale of the sheriff of an Oregon fishing village (Steve Zahn, in a leading-man role a long way from “Treme”) and a Homeland Security agent (Sandrine Holt, also currently starring on “Homeland”) dealing with time-traveling refugees from a war-torn America situated nearly 200 years in the future.
(In what may be an homage to the “Terminator” franchise, one of the visitors from the future is named Reese.)
Instead of fleeing murderous robots, the “Crossing” time-refugees are fleeing genetically enhanced genocidal supermen in the mold of iconic James Kirk nemesis Khan Noonian Singh.
It doesn’t take long to discover that at least some of the Khan-like supermen have travelled to our present alongside – and likely before – the refugees. Presumably the series will deal with government agents teaming with the refugees to try to track down, kill and/or incarcerate these menacing megawarriors from the year 2198.
By the end of the first hour there are really no big mysteries left to solve, making “The Crossing” rather less intriguing than “Lost,” still ABC’s biggest-ever sci-fi series. Zahn and Holt are typically swell in their roles – but the first hour already feels familiar and predictable, and candidly I’m unlikely to tune in for hour two.
... for such a high concept premise it’s very paint-by-numbers ABC mystery. … The Crossing isn’t a bad show, it’s just not a particularly memorable one …
... The first episode is pretty good. My advice? Don’t watch it. … Far more often than not, ABC cancels shows like this without giving viewers any closure. … “Miracles” (2003) never explained its paranormal plot (and it was yanked after only six of 13 episodes aired); “Invasion” (2005-2006) ended with the beginning of an alien invasion; “Pushing Daisies” (2007-09) resolved pretty much nothing; “FlashForward” (2009-10) ended on a time jump that made no sense; the “V” reboot (2009-11) ended just as a massive alien invasion began; “Happy Town” (2010) never revealed who the paranormal kidnapper was; “The River” (2012) never explained what the heck was going on in the jungle; “Whispers” (2013) never resolved its aliens plotlines; and “Agent Carter” (2015-16) left a major character shot and apparently dying.
... if you’re familiar with the track record of genre series given midseason berths, or really, most genre series that have debuted in the way of “Lost,” you also know that it’s best not to overthink this noise, because the show probably isn’t going to be with us for long. Which is too bad, given that it stars Steve Zahn, a consistently enjoyable performer capable of better work. …
The San Antonio Express-News says:
... After just one episode, I’m already hooked. Let’s hope the ratings are strong enough for ABC to give “The Crossing” a chance to develop over multiple seasons and unfold many more stories involving these intriguing characters. …
... might not have the chops to survive long enough to build a following. … Despite all of the intrigue, many of the non-sci-fi conflicts within “The Crossing” feel predictable. …
10 p.m. Monday. ABC.
