American Odyssey

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 5, 2015
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
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Buy on
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  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 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 dweebI 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!… Expand
  2. 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'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 saneReviews 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!… Expand
  3. 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 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!
  4. Beecee
    Apr 7, 2015
    9
    The best part of this show: Anna Friel's Sergeant fighting to stay alive and her growing friendship with an adolescent African boy told to guard her. There's too many threads to follow for the opening episode, and the thread with the corporate attorney is the least compelling, so far. Yet I loved the use of an Occupy-type protester as a hero, loved the tribute paid to female soldiers,The best part of this show: Anna Friel's Sergeant fighting to stay alive and her growing friendship with an adolescent African boy told to guard her. There's too many threads to follow for the opening episode, and the thread with the corporate attorney is the least compelling, so far. Yet I loved the use of an Occupy-type protester as a hero, loved the tribute paid to female soldiers, and every time Anna appeared on the screen I was riveted.… Expand
  5. Knighthawk81
    Apr 6, 2015
    6
    On the one hand, "American Odyssey" feels like almost all of NBC's other new dramas. A shadowy cabal is doing shady things and the government may or may not be helping cover it up. Anyone who knows the truth is in danger. On the other hand, I kind of liked the way the pilot was executed, or maybe I just liked this version of a familiar story better. It's not great, but by NBC standardsOn the one hand, "American Odyssey" feels like almost all of NBC's other new dramas. A shadowy cabal is doing shady things and the government may or may not be helping cover it up. Anyone who knows the truth is in danger. On the other hand, I kind of liked the way the pilot was executed, or maybe I just liked this version of a familiar story better. It's not great, but by NBC standards it's not too bad, either.… Expand
  6. Ravens1294
    Apr 7, 2015
    4
    A pretty good pilot, but I was a little disappointed. The pilot had way too many things going on and some of the characters aren't that good. However, I do think the show will get better with each episode because the show can develop to their endgame.
  7. supdude124
    May 26, 2015
    10
    Amazing show to watch!!! Great quality. Actors are outstanding. It's a must-watch movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  8. AxeT
    Jul 20, 2015
    7
    The rare complex, intelligent, international, timely, political war drama with insights into current geo-political issues of the highest importance. The only flaw (not noticeable on screen though) is casting a Brit in the lead of an American soldier, especially of all things with this show's title!
  9. Rudder
    Jun 7, 2015
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I tried. I really, really tried, to like this show. But it is just to plodding, too implausible, and two full of stereotypes for me to watch another minute The bad guys are to completely evil, and the good guys are just plain clueless and naive. Another reviewer hit the nail on the head about the annoying teenagers on TV; They seem to act like misbehaving adults, and the adults put up with it. No kid is going to storm into MY house, demand I tell them "the truth", and then call me a liar as they storm back out. A few other things:

    If the stakes are high and you want someone killed, you send a SQUAD to do it, not one guy;

    If you capture that ONE GUY who's trying to kill you, you KILL them. Right away. That way you can sleep at night.

    If your buddy tells you not to trust someone you're romantically interested in, and then shows you proof; you drop that romantic interest like a hot potato;

    and finally: IF A VIDEOTAPE IS IMPORTANT, YOU MAKE SEVERAL COPIES OF IT.

    I've ended the subscription I had on my DVR. I just can't take it any longer....    … Expand
  10. tjoamn
    Jun 13, 2015
    10
    I read that this show is going to be discontinued. I'm a woman and really enjoy the strong female role model in addition to the intriguing story line. Please say it isn't so..........
  11. leeahutton
    Jun 16, 2015
    8
    Gingerbread show has brown stuff running down Idelle's mouth on different sides of each different view of her. I love the show. Just thought you would like to know about the errors in different scenes with her
  12. StanTeam
    Jun 22, 2015
    5
    I must agree wih Beecee that the best part of the show are the scenes with Anna Friel. The worst -- the ones I just can no longer stomach -- are those with Jake Robinson. He drives me bats -- he should be playing a meth head with all of his affected, jerky movements. His character is already an idiot and Robinson's shoddy acting only makes it worse. Can we please get him killed off?

    I'm    I must agree wih Beecee that the best part of the show are the scenes with Anna Friel. The worst -- the ones I just can no longer stomach -- are those with Jake Robinson. He drives me bats -- he should be playing a meth head with all of his affected, jerky movements. His character is already an idiot and Robinson's shoddy acting only makes it worse. Can we please get him killed off?

    I'm weary of fast-forwarding through his scenes.    … Expand
  13. nenomejid
    Apr 8, 2016
    7
    Anna Friel does a VERY lousy job in attempting to speak Arabic. Anna Friel does a VERY lousy job in attempting to speak Arabic.Anna Friel does a VERY lousy job in attempting to speak Arabic.
  14. emattson0711
    Feb 12, 2017
    10
    Typical of NBC. They get a real winner, liked by the public, damned by the critics, and then they cancel it. No wonder we'd rather rent movies than watch TV. Great series and was looking forward to more. On the edge of my couch each segment and as a military veteran and columnist on military and Veterans issues, NBC has surely screwed up by killing off a great series. I guess they'd ratherTypical of NBC. They get a real winner, liked by the public, damned by the critics, and then they cancel it. No wonder we'd rather rent movies than watch TV. Great series and was looking forward to more. On the edge of my couch each segment and as a military veteran and columnist on military and Veterans issues, NBC has surely screwed up by killing off a great series. I guess they'd rather continue with phony-baloney, not-funny sitcoms. Very foolish.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Apr 6, 2015
    40
    There are just too many short cuts or obvious turns as American Odyssey tries to deepen its machinations. If you can see the hands on the puppet strings, the whole thing ends up a lot less compelling than you imagined.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »