The Mercury News' Scores

  • TV
For 252 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 79% higher than the average critic
  • 1% same as the average critic
  • 20% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 10.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average TV Show review score: 78
Highest review score: 100 Half Man
Lowest review score: 37 Hello Tomorrow!: Season 1
Score distribution:
  1. Mixed: 0 out of 236
  2. Negative: 0 out of 236
236 tv reviews
  1. While the show’s languid pace in the first few episodes might test your patience, prepare to get drawn in as this hot-potato case reflects the tenor and the racism of the times, and is far more gnarly than originally thought.
  2. It’s awfully tempting to sum up this addictive, funny and scary Irish six-episode series as “Scream” set on a cruise liner. But that sells it short. ... The plot and the execution make you want to sail right through all episodes.
  3. “Daisy Jones” features exceptional performances throughout, but there are a few standouts — a never-been-better Claflin, a mercurial Keough and an entrancing Morrone. It all makes for one Amazon Prime’s best series yet. But heed these words of advice: Episode 10 will wreck you when it drops that mic.
  4. Knockout. ... A shocking opening sequence establishes an unsettling tone that grabs you from the start, pushing you to gobble up future episodes as if they were leftover salt-and-vinegar potato chips. Christoph Waltz is the show’s ace up its sleeve. He gives his all to create one of the most distinctive villains to grace any series.
  5. Billy Crudup does a lot of heavy lifting in this, but it’s a wasted effort; I didn’t buy into much of “Hello Tomorrow!” except I was sold on its knockout production details.
  6. Amazon Prime fantasy/steampunk series’ second outing is on fire, an improvement over Season 1, which was decent but plodded at times. The pacing issues are gone and the metaphors from Season 1 remain; in fact they’re even more pointed.
  7. It’s a well-made series that exposes corruption, trafficking and injustices perpetrated on families.
  8. Rian Johnson’s appreciation for serialized stories where the villains get their comeuppance in the end is well-served in this irresistible Peacock series that’s as funny as it is sharp.
  9. Every character in “Shrinking” is worth getting to know. The biggest surprise is how great Ford is at just letting loose in a comedy. (Trust me, he’s hilarious). “Shrinking” deserves to become a huge hit.
  10. While I appreciated many elements — particularly the look and surreal vibe — “Cowboy” moseys a little too slow for my tastes. That said, Winding Refn is a true original.
  11. While there are surprising turns, and the series does improve as it progresses, “Witches” never grabs you with the power that “Interview” did. Stick to the books instead.
  12. With impressive special effects and some sharp storytelling instincts, “Last of Us” ups the playing field for not only streaming services but movie blockbusters.

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