American Odyssey

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 5, 2015
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
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Critic Reviews

  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Apr 2, 2015
    100
    American Odyssey is rooted in current events, which provides immediate credibility to the series. But like “Homeland,” “Person of Interest” and other shows, it also makes effective use of the post-9/11 air of wariness that wafts through American society. Conspiracy buffs will be in heaven watching American Odyssey, but the rest of us will just be completely hooked.
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Jan 13, 2015
    91
    With a “Homeland”-style mastery of momentum and a “Traffic”-esque multi-narrative premise, Odyssey passes the biggest test of all when it comes to trying out new TV shows in today’s glut of offerings: As soon as the first episode was over, I was eager to see more.
  3. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Apr 2, 2015
    83
    There are, in fact, too many plates. At worse, they induce vertigo, or prevent close inspection for logical consistency (and there is some). But at its best, they promise something unique, even smart.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Apr 6, 2015
    80
    American Odyssey is very much its own creation: clever, exciting, colorful without being self-consciously so. Most important, it is only occasionally ridiculous in the way conspiracy thrillers inevitably are.
  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    Mar 31, 2015
    80
    It’s an exhilarating thriller that pits a disparate group of people against an insidious military-industrial conspiracy. But it’s the unlikely affinity between a stern, pious Muslim teenager and the captive female American soldier he is instructed to guard that gives this high-octane action-adventure drama a special charm.
  7. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Apr 3, 2015
    70
    Peter Facinelli (plays a former U.S. attorney and Jake Robinson an activist who are also getting dangerously close to the secret that threatens Sgt. Ballard, though it's Friel and Omar Ghazaoui, the young Moroccan playing her traveling companion, who are most responsible for making American Odyssey stand out from the conspiracy crowd.
  8. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Apr 2, 2015
    70
    Though it makes several seriously absurd leaps of logic, American Odyssey will be a must-see for conspiracy lovers. The show's only real downside is that its utterly hyperbolic and sensationalistic tone overshadows and obscures some of the real political issues it touches upon.
  9. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Mar 27, 2015
    67
    It’s an ambitious, sprawling undertaking.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 54
  3. Negative: 7 out of 54
  1. RichardGonci
    Jun 1, 2015
    5
    I really wanted to like this show (I'm up to episode 9 now.) However, the level of implausibility, and worse, the utter stupidity of the mainI really wanted to like this show (I'm up to episode 9 now.) However, the level of implausibility, and worse, the utter stupidity of the main characters drives me nuts. I almost want all the protagonists to die off for the sake of the species (Darwin effect.) The antagonists are much more richly drawn characters. And, OMG, the "not-widowed" husband is like the Gold Medalist in the dweeb Olympics. I guess I will stick with it as one does with a cloying dessert served up by hosts. I also am coming to hate all teenage children in series of this type. "Madam Secretary," and "The Americans" come to mind. While I am pro-choice in real life, I favor retroactive birth control for these annoying brats!… Full Review »
  2. StanfordMan
    Apr 13, 2015
    10
    We are enjoying this show and can't wait to see how it plays out. Anna Friel is great, and the second episode gave her character a chance toWe are enjoying this show and can't wait to see how it plays out. Anna Friel is great, and the second episode gave her character a chance to show toughness and kindness. The camera work and directing is excellent-- seeing arid Africa in all its dry glory. We look forward to Sunday evening television once again! Thanks, NBC!… Full Review »
  3. thomasjames
    Apr 12, 2015
    10
    Reviews so far, based on a couple of episodes, cheat this shows tremendous promise. The promise tip off is the quality of the actors; I'mReviews so far, based on a couple of episodes, cheat this shows tremendous promise. The promise tip off is the quality of the actors; I'm investing some patience because I suspect something unseen is going to emerge. While other shows also tug at my fear the nation is run by morally rudderless pragmatists (Homeland, etc.), this show is different. The main characters are actually sane and their pursuit of the truth may therefore land somewhere I can relate to fundamentally. I applaud the show's writers for tapping the undercurrent of our misgivings about how our government is being led and shining the light on three types of citizens who I think can make a difference: citizen protestor, lawyer, and soldier. I imagine it wasn't easy to frame this and still garner major network support. I for one am going to forgive the "way too many things going on" (other reviews) and take the ride, enjoying the punches that I think are coming. Plus, its art! Nice color and desert scenes!… Full Review »
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