Fox enters ‘Harsh Realm’> ‘X-Files’ creator’s newest creation a suspenseful addition

“X-Files” creator Chris Carter is back on track this fall with his latest creation, “Harsh Realm,” which debuts at 9 tonight on Fox.

“Harsh Realm,” adapted from a comic-book series, inherits the slot of “Millennium,” which never found its rhythm in the three years that Fox kept it on to appease Carter. The new series, although nowhere as labyrinthine as “X-Files,” has plenty of suspense and surprises.

“Harsh Realm” tells the story of disillusioned soldier Lt. Thomas Hobbes (Scott Bairstow, “Party of Five”), who’s getting ready to leave the military after experiencing the horrors of war in Sarajevo and wants to settle down with his fiance, Sophie (Samanthis Mathis, “Broken Arrow”). But the military has one last assignment for him — to test out the latest in combat training, a virtual-reality simulation code-named “Harsh Realm.” (Lance Henricksen of “Millennium” does an unbilled cameo as the military commander.)

Once inside the game, Hobbes finds himself struggling for his life as he seeks to fulfill his mission of beating the previous high-scoring player, Omar Santiago (Terry O’Quinn, “Millennium”). Santiago’s aide is Maj. Mel Waters (Maximilian Martini), whom Hobbes had saved overseas.

But all is not as it seems within the Realm, so Hobbes forms an uneasy alliance with scavenger Mike Pinocchio (D.B. Sweeney). Both Pinocchio and the mysterious figure named Florence (Rachel Hayward) believe Hobbes is not just another soldier, but that he is the one who will save all the “virtual characters” who live in the Realm. All Hobbes wants to do is to finish his assignment and return home — somehow.

Bairstow is credible as the straight arrow who has fallen through the looking glass into the shadowy Realm, and he’s surrounded by a strong supporting cast. An intriguing conspiracy drama, “Harsh Realm” promises to keep viewers entranced and guessing.

Also premiering tonight is the “Love & Money,” at 8:30 on CBS. The sitcom shows that a series that’s hideous in premise can still be redeemed somewhat by a talented cast.

“Love & Money” in a nutshell: Rich girl falls for lunkish janitor. Snobby parents go ballistic. Yuk, yuk, yuk! It’s nice to see that TV helps the environment by recycling so much.

Still, three members of the cast make the show watchable (on a slow night). David Ogden Stiers (“M*A*S*H”) is in full Charles Emerson Winchester slow-burn mode as daddy Nicholas Conklin. Booze-soaked mother Effie (Swoosie Kurtz, “Sisters”) is secretly sympathetic to her daughter’s cause, even if she doesn’t truly understand. Layabout brother Nicky (John Livingston) has one goal in life: to annoy his father.

Now “Love & Money” shouldn’t be mistaken for great comedy. It’s good for a few laughs as long as the viewer doesn’t raise the bar too high.