Sci Fi TV Reboots That Should Happen: The Invaders (1967)

Sci Fi TV Reboots that Should Happen: Reboots are all the rage mostly because the entertainment industry prefers name recognition over original ideas. But there are some properties that truly deserve a do-over because they didn’t quite achieve their goal the first time around or because they were cut short.  This column takes a look at those shows.

What Is It?

This series follows architect David Vincent, who uncovers a silent invasion by aliens that have taken human form. He goes on a crusade to stop the invaders and prove to the world that they are a threat. As the show progresses, he convinces others that the aliens are real, and they join his mission to save Earth.

When Did It Air? ABC, 1967-1968, 2 Seasons Totaling 43 Episodes

Starring: Roy Thinnes, Kent Smith

Created By: Larry Cohen

Where Did the Original Fail?

While The Invaders is a notable sci fi series from the 1960s that delivered a sense of paranoia and could be rather creepy at times, it was hampered by its prime-time–friendly approach. It essentially delivered The Fugitive with aliens (Quinn Martin was brought in as producer to ensure it would have a similar feel to his other show), as David Vincent would encounter a guest-star-of-the-week who was impacted in some way by the silent invasion.  The show never really delved into the horror elements of its premise, and it started to seem rather tame and by-the-numbers as it progressed. In addition, it was canceled after a season and a half and never had the chance to deliver a proper resolution like The Fugitive did. So while it did count as a worthy sci-fi entry on the schedule at the time it aired, it never fully unlocked its potential, and it was cut short.  (You can read more about the series at Cult-SciFi.com.)

Why Reboot It?

There is plenty that could be done with this property, and it certainly deserves another look from the entertainment industry. First and foremost, it could delve deeper into the themes of paranoia and isolation, while also bringing in some of the horror elements core to its premise. And it could actually fit quite well in the current political climate.  They could approach it as a revival, with a new person discovering evidence of the invasion and picking up the torch from David Vincent years later. Or they could go the full reboot route, bringing in a new cast and storyline inspired by the original series. Linking it to the ’60s show would probably be the best way to go, but either way, I believe plenty of viewers would tune in if they brought this one back.

The Invaders does have some name recognition, even if the original has more of a cult status these days. And a revival or reboot could be done on a modest budget to fit within the current cost-conscious attitude across the television industry. There have been talks from time to time about a big-screen revival of the property, but nothing seems to be moving forward with that. So now seems like a good time for one of the streaming services or premium cable channels—maybe Apple TV or HBO—to take a look at bringing this one back.

Tried It Before:

In 1995, an Invaders mini-series aired on FOX which starred Quantum Leap alum Scott Bakula and saw Roy Thinnes appear briefly to pass the torch on to a younger alien fighter. Bakula’s character begins to have visions of the aliens while in prison, and after he is later released, his mind is taken over by the invaders. But he breaks their control and then goes on a mission to fight against them and expose their presence on Earth. The mini-series had some links to the original show, particularly the David Vincent appearance, but it had a very different look and feel. It apparently did not draw strong ratings and was not picked up to series, and it has since been mostly forgotten.

Where Can You Watch It?

The entire series has been released on DVD, but it is not currently streaming on any of the services that I am aware of and it is also not available to purchase VOD. It also airs on the digital channel MeTV.

Would you tune in for a reboot of The Invaders, or is it best to leave the show in reruns? Chime in with your comments below.

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