The world is ending, tonight on NBC

I can't say I understand the fascination with "end of days" entertainment but I do know there is one. Just how widespread that fascination is is about to be put to the test with NBC's new "limited series" Revelations.

The first of six episodes premieres tonight (in The West Wing's usual timeslot) and will be repeated ad infinitum over the next week across the NBC Universe (two more times on NBC, twice on Sci Fi, twice on CNBC and once on Bravo and USA).

The network is going all out to ensure this thing hits and with good reason. The current television season has shown viewers have an appetite for high concept series and there also seems to be a growing interest in spiritual or religious themed entertainment (NBC is leading into the premiere with a Dateline special tied to The Da Vinci Code). NBC needs a hit and this could be it.

But for viewers to take to this show they're going to have to be patient. The first hour of Revelations plays like the start of one of those big cheesy event mini-series that were huge in the 90s. There's a lot of exposition, and a lot of weird happenings, but there's very little point or direction. It's clear this will evolve into something more but without the text scroll that appears on screen at the end of the episode announcing what will happen in future hours I could only begin to guess what's to come.

The hour sets up three characters, but not very well. There's a Harvard professor and hardcore scientist (Bill Pullman) dealing with the recent death of his young daughter, a very lovely nun (Natascha McElhone) who believes Biblical prophecies are coming true right before her eyes and a sadistic child murderer (Michael Massee) who comes off like a lesser pupil of Hannibal Lecter.

One scene suggests a Mulder/Scully relationship developing between the scientist and the nun, and Revelations might very well develop into a show that explores unexplained phenomena from both scientific and religious viewpoints. But like I said, that's one scene.

Maybe the creepy happenings and schlocky suggestion that "the end of days is upon us!" will be enough to bring viewers back for more. NBC will have to hope so, because right now there's nothing else there.