Emergence

Investing in ABC’s Emergence looks like it could be a winning proposition. And even if the suspense and premise begin to sag, there’s always Allison Tolman to keep hope alive. ... Tolman’s performance is thoroughly grounded.

It deserves a shot, at least on the basis of its first hour. With real tension, uncommon curiosity, and a knockout, chilling final shot, it’s a network pilot whose strength on its own merits is compounded by how unlike the rest of network TV right now it seems.

I’d say the early choices are encouraging, though, and the last time Allison Tolman donned a badge, things turned out pretty well. This isn’t “Fargo,” it’s not “Lost,” but better than ripping off either of those shows, “Emergence” might just be good.

Paul McGuigan (“Lucky Number Slevin”) directs the well-paced pilot of “Emergence,” but it suffers from that lingering mystery issue that plagues a lot of high concept shows like NBC’s “Manifest.” ... However, Tolman finds emotional, subtle beats that lesser actresses would miss, and Clancy Brown is an always-welcome presence (as are Donald Faison as Jo’s ex and Owain Yeoman as a reporter). Let’s hope they don’t get bogged down in a spiraling mystery.

The concept isn’t overly complicated — no heavy mythology in the pilot — and the cast, including Clancy Brown and Donald Faison, has strong appeal.

Tolman, with her knack for conveying alert intelligence and sardonic skepticism, is the best hedge “Emergence” has against being a generic broadcast-network thriller. She’s fine as Jo, but it’s a less interesting, more predictable role. ... As for the story, intrigue manages to stay a few steps ahead of implausibility in the first hour, which is a perfectly serviceable setup episode. But implausibility has a way of gaining fast in shows like this.

Maybe you've heard, but there's a lot of TV out there, and to play the long game with a mystery-box network show just seems like the wrong way to go.

This show has been an edge of your seat sci fi, mystery, suspense mash up and it's been very enjoyable. As far as I'm concerned the show deserves a high rating and it's really just sad to see some are comparing the show to others and just complaining instead of enjoying it.

I have long been a fan of Allison Tolman, since Fargo and Good Girls. There is just enough intrigue & sci fi to hold my interest. Well written & acted, Clancy Brown just keeps going and going and I think that the girl will cure his cancer.

Emergence is about police chief Jo Evans (Fargo season 1's Allison Tollman), who ends up taking in the mysterious Piper (Alexa Swinton), a girl pursued by shadowy forces. I really liked this one. The show is a combination of family life and thriller, which works pretty well. The family members are mostly a pretty likable bunch with good dialogue. The thriller part is more of a thriller light. So, if you dont like it when shows pull their punches this may not be to your liking. However, it isn't like this show doesn't have stakes. The show may lure you into a sense of complacency only to be hit by a surprising moment of violence. The writers do an excellent job of throwing surprises at you. The showrunners realize it's best not to drag things out. For just 13 episodes, a lot happens in this. Cast is great Tolman plays the sort of character she did in Fargo, determined and competent, but since she doesn't have to adopt a sterotypical midwestern accent and personality, I feel she's able to access more of her potential. It's nice to see Clancy Brown as Evans' father. He usually plays antagonists, authority figures, or both. A lot of credit should be given to Robert Bailey Jr. as as a police officer. He has this sort of every-manness and does a great job reacting to the craziness erupting around him. There is one weak character. Evans' daughter Mia Evans (Ashley Aufderheide) serves only as a big sister figure to Piper. She doesn't feel like a full character. You never see her hanging with friends or learn any personal info about her. Sadly, this might be the show's only season. (The ratings haven't been great.) This is too bad because I found this to be a distinct experience.

Not sure why anyone would compare this to Stranger Things, this is more a scifi/tech show than horror/gore. The lead is a very real & believable character, in fact all the cast is damn good. Highly recommend.

A really poor man's version of Stranger Things coupled with bad acting and writing.