TV Jots

Sci Fi Channel Resurrects Another Worthy Show

The Sci Fi Channel is firing on all cylinders on Fridays. Tonight at 8pm EST, the network will begin syndicating the 2005–2006 science-fiction drama Invasion, which joins an excellent lineup that includes the syndicated vampire cult hit Moonlight and the final episodes of fan favorite Battlestar Galactica.

Brought to us by Shaun Cassidy — the same man responsible for the Gary Cole thriller American Gothic, yet another genre series I wish had lasted longer — Invasion never took off the way it should have. This despite a fine cast featuring Eddie Cibrian (Third Watch), William Fichtner (Prison Break), Kari Matchett (ER), Lisa Sheridan (Journeyman), and Tyler Labine (Reaper), all of whom have moved on to other successful series or guest-star gigs, fortunately.

For the uninitiated, Invasion is a paranoid drama reminiscent of the classic movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers. After a hurricane hits a small town in Florida, residents gradually come to realize that something isn’t quite right. A little nosiness and a lot of investigating then reveals the observant people are correct — there’s a real reason why certain individuals have started acting very weird post-storm, and it’s a scary reason at that.

If you haven’t watched the series before, give it a try tonight. My only complaint is that the Sci Fi Channel is only airing these entertaining syndicated shows once a week. A few repeats in the wee hours sure wouldn’t hurt, so thank goodness I already have the DVDs.