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"Taken" is one of the most intriguing, and long-awaited, miniseries on television this season. The series airs from 9 to 11 p.m. over 10 nights on the Sci i Channel.

Executive producer Spielberg's touch is all over the series. "Taken" features classic story telling that focuses on children and contains a touch of the supernatural. Spielberg drew on all his previous work to weave this story, from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" to "ET: The Extraterrestrial" to the human stories of persecution in "Schindler's List."

The story involves three families and spans several decades from the 1940s to present day. The series quickly cuts back and forth between the families, sometimes too quickly. It would be nice if the viewer would be allowed to stay with one family slightly longer each time to become more familiar with the characters.

The story begins during World War II, when fighter pilot Capt. Russell Keys (Steve Burton) and his crew are enveloped in a bright light during a dogfight over France. The men are saved from being shot down, but their lives will never be the same. Aliens have abducted them. By 1947, Russell is troubled by headaches and nightmares. He is frequently taken aboard the alien ships and subjected to various experiments. He soon learns that the rest of his crew has died under these circumstances.

Russell leaves his wife and young son, believing that is the only way he can save them from the aliens.

"We were taken," says Russell. "That's the best way I know how to describe it."

In 1947, a mysterious ship crashes in the dessert in Roswell, New Mexico. Capt. Owen Crawford (Joel Gretsch) is sent to investigate the alien ship and given the task of discovering how the vessel operates.

Owen will do anything to reach his objective, even sacrificing his marriage and relationship with his two young sons.

Meanwhile, the sole surviving alien of the crash changes shape to look human. A lonely mother, Sally Clarke (Catherine Dent), offers the mysterious stranger (Eric Close) shelter and comfort. The alien seduces the woman, who later bears his child.

Before long, the lives of these three families will intersect. The Keys become guinea pigs for the aliens while the Crawfords represent the dark side of the government. The Clarkes try to protect the child born into an alien lineage.

The story is narrated by Allie, the descendant of Russell Keys and Sally Clark. Allie becomes the only one able to unlock all the family secrets and control the alien destiny.

"Taken" contains all the elements of a great epic: ominous government agents, adultery, troubled marriages, kidnappings, mysterious medical experiments and parents doing anything to protect their children.

The series could easily slip into being a silly soap opera. But the alien angle provides enough uniqueness to keep the story interesting.

And with all Spielberg productions, the writing and acting are above the television norm. "Taken" will be a must-see event for all the "X-philes" who have missed the Fox drama.

According to Allie, "In the end it doesn't matter what's the trick and what is true. What matters is that people believe."

A sentiment that would make Fox Mulder proud.

"Steven Spielberg Presents Taken" airs from 9-11 p.m. on Sci-Fi Dec. 2-6 and Dec. 9-13

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