SCI FI'S recently completed miniseries, "Steven Spielberg Presents TAKEN," at 20 hours, was about twice as long as it needed to be.

At times, the story wandered, the pacing faltered and cuts between characters became confusing and confounding.

But for those who stuck it out, the miniseries packed an emotional punch and, especially in its last 10 hours, became addictive and fun "must-see" programming, especially for those who'd already invested 10 hours.

And young Dakota Fanning, who was flat-out captivating as the eerily all-knowing human/alien hybrid child Allie Keys, is destined for many more important roles in her career.

But beyond its eventual success at storytelling, the ratings success of "Taken" on SCI FI may well leave a legacy that goes beyond itself.

The Steven Spielberg production:

May well have breathed life back into a story form that networks and producers had been shying away from.

Though the ratings numbers earned on the special-interest network wouldn't cut it for the broadcast channels, the series was huge for SCI FI and helped put the cable channel on the map.

This lesson won't be lost on other cable channels who'd love to bring in millions of new viewers for a week or more.

Reminded us how well a miniseries is suited to tackling events that unfold over long periods of time.

How else could stories like "Roots" or "Centennial" have been told but in miniseries that helped define their time?

I think this miniseries, which followed two families involved in alien abductions across several generations, will go a long way to reminding viewers and those who make TV programs that this is the best use of the miniseries form, not the special effects-laden series that had taken it over.

A name like Steven Spielberg certainly doesn't hurt.

Viewers who were sci-fi lovers tuned in as well as SCI FI's regular audience, taking the network to new ratings heights.

But more importantly, Spielberg's name and clout in the industry helped get this thing made in the first place.

That won't be lost on the networks or on other big names in the programming business.