The Visitor (1997–1998) User Reviews

Another FOX casualty

[smgrinus · 8/10 · 2 May 2018]

A well written Sci-fi show that deserved a chance to grow and tell more stories. I really appreciated the positive message the show portrays and the acting was consistent from all of the actors. The show reminds me of Macguyer which is rare in the TV landscape that is so cynical and dark these days.

A very well done show

[AgentPat · 10/10 · 13 February 1999]

"The Visitor" was headed for greatness. It's unfortunate that it was only allowed to grace our television screens for 13 episodes. With such a high profile production team, established writers in the genre and an excellent cast, the show couldn't fail. All of the characters were quite likable, the plot believable (in an unbelievable kind of way), and the production value ranked right up there with any great sci-fi motion picture.

The show unfolded with a mature spin on today's attitudes and mindsets. The long story arc approach was brilliant; it got better and better after each episode. It was this exemplary writing style that brought viewers back each week, not the typical "part 1", "part 2" gimmick of using a hair-raising scene at the end of an episode that some novice writers often employ.

The actors were equally brilliant and entertaining as well. Their focus and enthusiasm toward the show and its message pervaded their performance so much that the viewer could relate and connect with their characters as if they were real people. I guess that's what it's all about, isn't it?

Anyway, it would be nice to see more episodes produced someday. The fans all remain hopeful.

A show that should have been allowed to continue

[bjwebb3749 · 10/10 · 20 July 2002]

"The Visitor" was a mature, well written science fiction drama in which the writers made the assumption that their target audience was intelligent and could follow the continuing story arc. Unfortunately, TV brass don't seem to believe that intelligence and TV audience have anything in common. So they killed a fantastic science fiction series after 13 episodes. What a shame.

Quality

[mikey_editor · 30 March 2001]

This is a quality show, from the well-written scripts, to the carefully-chosen cast to the amazing plot line. There are patronizing cheap outs here. Even the things that go unexplained are well-presented so as to enhance believeability. It deserved a longer run (or, at least, a movie).

Combination of "The Fugitive" and "Starman"

[kelleyjhr · 10/10 · 3 February 2013]

This show is my all time 2nd favorite TV show ever. 2nd only to the original "Star Trek" which only lasted 3 years, but came back with 5 or 6 spin offs and movies, eventually lasting for almost 4 decades now.

The Visitor was a great combination of "The Fugitive" meets "Starman". The Visitor was nominated for several awards. The writing was great, the character development was great, I am left baffled why it was ever canceled. I loved the conflict between the FBI and the NSA, and the concept that Adam's physiology was corrected, giving back his ability to use the other 90% of his brain, thus enabling him to use telekinesis and telepathy.

Does anyone know if this show was ever produced on DVD. I would love to buy it!

Great show, some new ideas

[dpayne-1 · 18 October 2001]

So once again, another good series gets terminated before it really has a chance to prove itself. This occurence is familiar, as it ended after only 13 episodes, like Key West did in 1993. Recall Key West had new ideas also. This series had many good ideas, such as a person who was transported 40 years into the future, and learned much that could help humankind in years to come. The shows main character Adam McArthur reminded others about how there is so much more to the world than meets the eye and your mind is capable of much more than most of us use. Here, in the 21st century, we could use a show like this one with more hope and a positive outlook. Has anyone in network TV considered giving this one another try?

thought it was better than the x-files

[smartone1986 · 10/10 · 3 September 2018]

This show i'd thought it was a lot better than the x-files it was well written had a good plot john Corbett did a good job with the problem was nobody knew about back i'd learn much later that the existed

The Best Television Series

[davidandkarendesaegher · 10/10 · 21 February 2017]

TRULY The Best Television Series EVER. The cast was fantastic. I look forward to a remake of this Series that goes on for years. Thanks to recent Shows like 'Ancient Aliens' & 'Hanger 1' helping people to expand their thinking of potentialities & possibilities, People ARE NOW READY for The Series "THE VISITOR"!

Best SciFi series made

[Theresagargano · 10/10 · 26 August 2023]

I'm really surprised that this tv series didn't get the accolades it deserved. The premise of this show was so well written and made me long for more; especially if you're a believer of extraterrestrials. I'd love to see someone pick up where this left off by introducing the real stories that have surfaced since! I know that the History Channel has a series called Ancient Aliens and they seem to be very similar and interesting to read and follow so there could be another series that might be worth watching. I'd love to see Spielberg go to bat for a series or two and reintroduce it for it's good.

Seems like 13 really is an unlucky number, doesn't it?

[MorgaineleFay85 · 3 August 2001]

Prey, Crusade, Visitor: all examples of great shows that have gotten the ax after 13 episodes. It's unfortunate, really, because I've enjoyed watching these shows from taped episodes as well as showings on SciFi. Visitor is a very well written show, although iffy in a few spots. The actors did a great job, and I hope that they film either a few more eps or maybe a TV movie to tie loose ends.

Wow.. Fantastic

[satyren_1999 · 24 August 2001]

John Corbett (Who I first saw in another series called Northern Frontiers) is marvellous in this series... Empathic,kindhearted yet mysterious like a wandering magician, while being hounded by the government who desperately seeks to get what they think he hides..

Unfortunately only 13 episodes was made of this series,but I like so many fans of this great series hopes that the series will be picked up again, so that we may learn more about the Character

Adam McArthur..

He is truly a mystery waiting to be solved, an enigma waiting for an answer..

Make more episodes!

[bsekker · 14 November 1998]

Cool series.. John Corbett is a great actor, I first saw him in Northern Exposure.. too bad there are so few episodes of this series..

Make more episodes

[cathyc · 1 December 1998]

I wish they'd make more episodes, too! I kept hoping he would eventually meet up with his son. I was so bummed when the series was canceled and it seemed like they rushed the final episode because it had been canceled.

Wow.. Fantastic

[satyren_1999 · 24 August 2001]

John Corbett (Who I first saw in another series called Northern Frontiers) is marvellous in this series... Empathic,kindhearted yet mysterious like a wandering magician, while being hounded by the government who desperately seeks to get what they think he hides..

Unfortunately only 13 episodes was made of this series,but I like so many fans of this great series hopes that the series will be picked up again, so that we may learn more about the Character Adam McArthur..

He is truly a mystery waiting to be solved, an enigma waiting for an answer..

just plainly awful.

[Alien-50 · 19 September 1999]

This series is just awful on all accounts. The acting for one is terrible. Adam, or whats-his-name looks like an idiot and that "I have to save humanity from itself"-cliché is very, very thin. The bad guys are just so unconvincing and stupid and feeble that it hurts to watch. Adam can just walk into a ultra-security installation conducting ultra-security experiments and steal an ultra-powerful crysal and not get a scratch, suuure. And then it is the bad guys habit of just half-surrounding the building Adam is in and not sending in troops to catch him so he can conveniently escape. Juck. Then there is how everyone just seems to LOVE Adam. Take the FBI guys for example, always taking his side. Another example: the wife of that scientist who was sending a device to listen to the aliens into space. Adam walks into her house during her son's birthday and poses as a magician. Then she finds out he is a dangerous man talking about aliens and then disappears. Then her husband gets into a car crash and she blames the men he works for and embraces Adam!!!! Come on! Also, those annoying kids, like the teenage boy in the first episode, who Adam helps and becomes their hero or somthing. Juck. Stay well away from this series.