Ultimately, Fleming will leave you neither shaken nor stirred.

Murder One succeeds because it doesn't pander to you, nor does it demean you. The issues illuminated by the show challenge and entertain you. [19 Sept 1995, p.37]

Less perverse than ``I, Claudius,'' more entertaining than ABC's toga twister ``Empire,'' Rome gets off to an uneven start. [25 Aug 2005, p.47]

This hourlong drama is peopled with actors who have long deserved a rich showcase for their talents, and each rises spectacularly to the occasion. [4 Nov 2004, p.77]

Judging from the first two episodes of the new season, Rescue Me is taking a gentler, if dopier tone. [13 June 2007, p.39]

Your love for the show depends on your tolerance for Leary and his overbearing character. [30 May 2006, p.28]

After hewing reasonably close to the record, at least for the trial, the film goes off the rails in its postscript.

Filmed in South Africa, Sails is awash in lush scenery, bloody expensive sets and brutal action. You’ve probably never seen a sword fight like the one that caps tonight’s episode.

There might be a good drama in Rake, but right now the jury is still out.

There's still heat to Rescue Me - it just needs something to stoke the drama. [19 June 2005, p.A03]

A&E’s Wahlburgers is a thick heaping of Boston baked silliness starring two of Hollywood’s biggest stars and their beloved mom.

If their melodrama isn't always gripping, Nip/Tuck rushes in an array of guest stars as distractions. [5 Sept 2006, p.36]

Believe the hype: In its third season, Nip/Tuc' finds new ways to be shocking, brazen and gross-out wrenching. [20 Sept 2005, p.37]

Nip/Tuck is unabashed in its portrayal of the flawed ways people conduct the private sides of their lives and how the professional bleeds over in unexpected ways. [21 June 2004, p.43]

Looking might be the most provocative series of 2014. It’s just not original or memorable.

If you dwell too much on the plot, you’ll fall into a chasm of disbelief.... Flowers doesn’t look like a Lifetime film, and that’s a compliment. The production moves at a brisk pace, and unlike the children’s predicament, never feels claustrophobic.

There are no characters to care about in Nip-Tuck. It seems their motivations are purely hollow. We love Tony Soprano - even when he cheats on his wife or whacks an enemy - because he reveals his own vulnerability and tragic flaws. But this Nip-Tuck bunch are vacant louts - "ER" meets "WWE SmackDown!" [22 July 2003, p.39]

If you are curious about the show, tune into the last 10 minutes of the hour, and you’ll learn everything you need to know. Right now, Bitten is a nibble of a show.

True Detective will linger with you long after the credits roll, a grim journey into night.

A sometimes intriguing sci-fi show from executive producer Ronald D. Moore about a viral outbreak at a desolate Arctic base. The bug isn’t airborne, but stupidity apparently is.

The show is at least meta enough to have the department commander call out the sheer outrageousness of the appointment, but that doesn’t make it any more plausible.

Executive producer Sofia Vergara, better known as Gloria on ABC’s “Modern Family,” and series creator Hannah Shakespeare (“The Raven”) have a lot of ideas, but there isn’t a single surprise in the batch.

Holloway looks leaner than his Sawyer days and cleans up nice. Ory, such a spitfire on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” as both Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, seems tamed here, and unfortunately, a little dull.

All this twee is verging on twaddle.

Despite the often eerie parallels to the Showtime thriller, ABC’s eight-part miniseries The Assets is based on fact. That does nothing to make it compelling.

There is some actual racing in the hour, at the Parada Del Sol rodeo in Scottsdale, Ariz., where 120 compete but only 12 will draw checks. The time to beat is just under 18 seconds. But the results give way to another round of sniping and back-biting. The Weinstein Co., known for Oscar-bait films, serves as co-executive producers of this sorry spectacle.

Bonnie & Clyde? More like Hokum and Bunk.

Mob City takes its time to lock and load, but its aim ultimately improves.

This bleak depiction of hospital work locates the show about two degrees south of “St. Elsewhere.” And yet, after I finished the first three episodes, I realized I was hooked; I wanted more.

Betas brims with raunch, perhaps in the belief that it is key to hooking younger viewers.­

Urban and Ealy are competent in their roles, damaged spirits destined to become brothers of a sort, not if, but only when.... While some viewers will be oblivious to the show’s racial politics, others will struggle to find a point. Somebody at Fox short-circuited.

Alpha House feels like social studies homework. On a Saturday night.

One thing that might improve this office comedy is a few pink slips--upstairs, downstairs and off-camera.

The pace and the performances carry the film.

The Thundermans doesn’t do much heavy lifting, but it waves its cape proudly.

Seduced is many things: a funny road trip, a canny look at Cannes and the industry, a conversation with directors about their epic battles to get their masterpieces on screen. If it had stuck to one idea, it might have made a terrific documentary.

This supernatural thriller is much more attuned to the times than PBS’ costume period piece “Downton Abbey,” which filters such hot topics as women’s rights and homosexuality through a modern lens.... Mina’s aspirations to become a surgeon are publicly disparaged by the person closest to her next week in a moment that hits harder than the onscreen horror. Dracula’s visit to an under­ground gay club next week is well, bizarre, but it captures how homosexuals dwelled in the shadows, terrified of exposure. Those moments are far more biting than any of the so-called scares.

Reign is a big stick of stupid wrapped in gauzy costumes and tramping around a sumptuous estate.

Her voice seems to roam all over the vocal register, but she is compelling.... West will make you forget he’s acting.

As our wanderer through the rabbit hole, Lowe lacks conviction, but Socha is a true charmer as the Knave, and fans will be making wishes for Alice to dump the dreary genie for the rogue. With the mothership’s leads on a similar quest for a missing boy, Wonderland seems like an exercise in magical redundancy.

With so many powers, the Tomorrow People seem near invincible, and the measures Ultra uses to thwart them seem flimsy. The idea that a prohibition against killing could be genetically encoded seems both convenient and implausible — and also lessens the stakes.

There may be fewer jump scares, but this could turn out to be the best Horror Story.

Witches of East End is the campiest hot mess on TV.

Go ahead and give this little show a chance. To paraphrase Coach Taylor's refrain: Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose this show. [5 Oct 2007, p.e23]

The men are neanderthals, the women are the sitcom cliche peacemakers.

It’s wearying to watch actors of this caliber try to fluff laughs out of this dreariness.

Sean Saves the World actually left this viewer depressed about the health of network comedy.

Wilson, who writes and serves as co-­executive producer, brings a sense of innocence to the sometimes ribald shenanigans.

Underwood’s Ironside rolls over everyone in his life, figuratively and literally.... As flashbacks show, Ironside was shot in the back two years ago while pursuing a suspect. His ex-partner Gary (Brent Sexton) has never recovered emotionally from what happened that night.... Their prickly relationship now is the most daring part of the show.

Of all the dumb shows you can watch on a Monday, here’s one more.

Homeland now stumbles through familiar territory, and the view the second time around isn’t half as compelling.

As a sitcom version of herself, the onetime “American Idol” outshines Gellar, which is not a good omen for the show. Williams seems ex­hausted. So is this show.

For a fleeting moment, the show hints it might venture into some saucy territory. Then it gets all “Family Ties” saccharine and goes in for the squishy hug.

The dads in charge of the league are jerks, so Terry decides to lead a team of all-star misfits, making this sort of “Glee” for the physically uncoordinated. You’ll be done with this after an inning.

Garlin and McLendon-­Covey are believable as variations of “That ’70s Show’s” parents, and Gentile’s Jan Brady-style meltdowns are amusing. But Adam’s obsession with female breasts, encouraged by his grandfather “Pops” (George Segal), is creepy, considering the actor looks about 9.

Akerman and Whitford have zero chemistry, and it doesn’t help that she looks young enough to be his daughter.

There are few surprises here and even fewer reasons to tune in.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. looks to be the most fun you’ll find in an hour of prime time this fall.

The twist in the final moments suggests the series already could be catching a case of the stupids, in which case, no cast, no matter how talented, will be able to save this show.

This is dark material, yet Faris balances it with a genuine winsomeness, able to wring laughs out of the most innocuous lines.

Blacklist doesn’t have the pulse, say, of a '24,' but it races in the right direction.

Baker exudes a stoic charm. As his demanding father, Dabney Coleman is a disquieting presence. [25 Sept 2001, p.48]

This four-part adaptation of Shakespeare’s historical cycle (“Richard II, “Henry IV, Part 1,” “Henry IV, Part 2” and “Henry V”) spotlighting the battle to win and to hold the English crown is both brilliant and eminently accessible.

Everyone associated with this show--with the exception of MacFarlane--deserves better.

If the show can cut down on crime and focus more on the squad room silliness, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has a chance of getting past probation.

The first new network show of fall is a supernatural adventure that manages to drop a few good scares.

This Boardwalk is rife with treasure.

Sunny is now in its ninth season, but is not showing its age.

While each night delivers some terrifically tense scenes, series creator Neil Cross’ scripts for nights three and four suffer from some flimsy foreshadowing and serve up slight characterizations of Luther’s antagonists.

You don’t ask for much logic from these Syfy schlockfests, but the story pretty much dog-paddles for two hours until its inevitable conclusion.

Maybe some day someone will give some stay-at-home dads some respect. This show isn’t it.

Band of Brothers stands as a very satisfying adaptation of Ambrose's meticulous and engrossing account. [9 Sept 2001, p.61]

It makes for good TV. [21 Feb 2003, p.S35]

For those looking for yet another quality show for their Sunday nights, Low Winter Sun soars high.

Sparkling writing and smart performances - Elfman is a breakout star - make Dharma & Greg one of this season's brightest new half-hours. [24 Sept 1997, p.50]

Broadchurch answers your summer prayers for top-notch drama.

Possibly the best comic-book-to-TV-series ever made. It is a show that respects its source material without exaggerating the visceral bombast. It's a show that will entertain you in a single bound. [16 Oct 2001, p.44]

A mind-boggling drama doesn't always make for compelling television. [12 Sep 2003]

The stories aren’t quite as goofy as they could be. The series is clearly a labor of love for the creators. Still, the show has its wonderfully silly moments.

As he did in the series, Gervais imbues Brent with a kind of idiotic cleverness that is both silly and devastating. [21 Oct 2004]

"The Office" makes you cringe in delight and heave with giggles when you see the absurdity of it all. [23 Oct 2003]

Being allowed inside the cerebrum of Ally, I feel some sympathy for her. I like her more than I would if she were the typical TV cipher. But I don't like her enough to want to watch this flawed show about a lawyers-in-love triangle week after week. [4 Sep 1997]

In this eight-episode, hourlong show, instead of Lauren Conrad, we get Katie, who is about as interesting as a McDonald’s salad.

There's some appealing energy and certainly adequate acting talent in "Just Shoot Me," but it lacks originality. [3 Mar 1997]

Blessed with Kelley's rich writing talent, "The Practice" zips along at a lively, "ER"-like pace. [4 Mar 1997]

Even if you weren't in the practice of watching ABC's 'The Practice,' you might find its spinoff, 'Boston Legal,' habit-forming. [3 Oct 2004]

The new episodes are brilliant, proving the first season wasn't a fantastic fluke. [14 Jan 2000]

"Brooklyn Bridge" may be too delicate and heartfelt to survive amongst its colder, more cynical competition. But it deserves a decent chance. Shows this good don't come along very often. [26 Sep 1991]

As you watch "Larry Sanders," the lines fly by and hit you with a sweet sting. Laden with crass cultural references and blistering put-downs, the show's scripts are usually dense with delights. [12 Mar 1998]

It takes a literate, cynical look at showbiz and, in doing so, creates fine art. [12 Nov 1996]

This twisted comedy of Tinseltown manners - so wicked insidey and sharply observed - shines through brilliantly here. "Larry Sanders" is arch TV about craven TV with no pretensions - if such a thing is possible, and it obviously is. [18 Jul 1995]

Serves up spine-tingling chills with its moody, noirish visuals and grimly efficient leads. [22 Sep 2004]

It's strangely devoid of drama. [23 Sep 2002]

TLC’s editing, as expected, goes out of its way to make the family appear like idiots.... But the Thompsons don’t care what other people think. They’ve got each other. In that, they’re light-years better adjusted than just about any family on any other reality show.

Though the tragic-comedy tone is intriguing if a little askew in the pilot, the bigger problem looming ahead is the show's static formula. [3 Jan 2005]

A wonderful comedy that twists the family sitcom genre to a screwball turn. [6 Jan 2000]

The castmates aren't polished performers, but they know how to work a joke fast and move on. [4 Aug 2005]

The Newsroom manages to be both precious and irritating at the same time, and Sorkin’s characters still have that habit of talking over each other, which might be realistic, but makes it hard for viewers to understand what the heck they’re sparring about.