Of all the Xfiles style shows being launched this autumn, Surface is the one that can be most easily summed up 'the watery one'.

Much like Abyss, strange undersea creatures are the focus of this story. Certainly atmospherically shot, the coastal feel conjours up Jaws rather than Abyss, however the central heroine lacks the edge to be the Ripley they probably want her to be. Of course mysterious government agencies are thrown into the mix and the overall result is a likeable if unremarkable drama.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised, but I have severe doubts that the premise could continue for even one whole season without becoming very repetetive. I dont see how the premise allows for wide range of unconnected stories, as Xfiles could, when they werent doing UFOs. Equally they wont be able to get away with strange shapes moving underwater for long without revealing something.

Perhaps it would have been better to produce it as a mini series rather than an ongoing.

Surface deserves one season, if only to see if it can surpass expectations, but my hopes arent high, the pace is too slow and the concept too limited to really generate watercooler talk.