It’s the fear factor, refreshed

“WHAT, exactly, is coming to get us?” is the question this fall. And secondarily, how prepared is our government to handle this fresh hell of a crisis?

The news, in these days of war and calamity, has one set of answers, while a number of upcoming dramas reach past reality for a host of scary scenarios, some (such as ABC’s “Invasion”) newly darkened with real-world resonances.

CBS’ “Threshold” says that what’s after us is some supernatural presence at sea, but then so does NBC’s “Surface,” although on that show they’ve decided on an actual creature, it seems. On ABC’s “Night Stalker,” the threat is vast and paranormal too but not waterbound. In the case of CBS’ “Ghost Whisperer,” the scaries show up at Jennifer Love Hewitt’s door -- and in her dreams. The WB’s “Supernatural” delivers the willies in the form of a road picture, as two brothers come face to face with various demons out of folklore.

But the real key to this quorum may be “Lost,” ABC’s hit that has everyone chasing yet more exotic mysteries, with characters on literal and psychological tiptoe.

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Threshold CBS

Scare meter: Eerie overall, with disturbing images including disfigured corpses in the pilot. The multidimensional glowing thing over the ship is more cool than scary.

Plausibility meter: Unexpectedly high, but maybe that’s because it’s reassuring, post-9/11 and Katrina: There’s actually a government figure whose job is to imagine various worst-case scenarios and come up with action plans.

Government response: National Security Council is briefed; Oval Office stays in the loop.

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Surface NBC

Scare meter: Suspense-o-rama. There are “Jaws”-like scares to be had in scenes that suggest the fish-predator-alien reveal is about to happen. So far, though, NBC’s saving it.

Plausibility meter: Low, but good execution makes up for it. However, Lake Bell’s character is named Daughtery Carstarphen. Why?

Government response: Scientists brought in to deal with burgeoning crisis want to control the flow of information, thwarting efforts of heroic oceanographer.

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Night Stalker ABC

Scare meter: Variable. Most frightening moment is the digital insertion of Darren McGavin -- the original “Night Stalker” -- into a newsroom scene.

Plausibility meter: Hyperintelligent giant mutant dogs living in caves, running into town occasionally to waylay humans? Could happen!

Government response: Cops always get it wrong.

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Supernatural WB

Scare meter: Mom’s disturbingly on the ceiling in the pilot. From there, creepy to campfire-ghost-story jumpy.

Plausibility meter: Folklore familiarity helps suspension of disbelief, but the formula risks becoming too cartoon. Maybe some “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”-type humor would help melt our oh-so-cynical hearts.

Government response: So far, just some nettlesome sheriff’s department types, who get in the way.

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Ghost Whisperer CBS

Scare meter: Spooky dream sequences don’t go much beyond tamer end of a PG-13 movie.

Plausibility meter: Which is harder -- buying the idea that there are people who can communicate with the dead or accepting Love Hewitt as one of them?

Government response: They’re staying out of this one.