Childhood's End

:

Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 14, 2015
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 73
  3. Negative: 20 out of 73
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User Reviews

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  1. PoeticDumpling
    Dec 15, 2015
    8
    I have not read the book so I have no idea what to expect next, but so far, part one is great! I actually wish this was a full-on new series based on tonight. The stylistic look is quality. The story is compelling. Excited for night two and three.
  2. BogKid
    Dec 16, 2015
    8
    I enjoyed “Childhood’s End”. I wasn’t going to write a review until I read an early “1” review which was little more than a diatribe concerning the fact that the TV show did not follow Clarke’s book precisely enough. It was, even worse, a diatribe against the “Americanization” of the story. I’m certainly sorry about that, but it was a show written in America, produced in America, andI enjoyed “Childhood’s End”. I wasn’t going to write a review until I read an early “1” review which was little more than a diatribe concerning the fact that the TV show did not follow Clarke’s book precisely enough. It was, even worse, a diatribe against the “Americanization” of the story. I’m certainly sorry about that, but it was a show written in America, produced in America, and largely viewed in America. Apparently a transference of that reviewer’s generalized annoyance about America.

    I was frankly surprised by the first two hours of the show. Let’s be honest. SyFy Channel original programming is rarely first rate. I felt that this show was. I was waiting for it to go sour with an eventually stupid ending. I did not find that. I think viewing this program has given me impetus to seek out Mr. Clarke’s book to compare the effect on me of the TV show and the book.    … Expand
  3. slayde11
    Dec 17, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A surprisingly stylish and quasi-faithful retelling of Arthur C. Clarke's seminal classic, whose masterful themes re-defined the genre -- while not easily lending themselves to a visual medium. The screenwriters did a deft job of updating key story details for the 21st century. Unfortunately, I think they also fell victim to the generally thankless task of interweaving first-person melodrama via extended romantic arcs for characters like Ricky and Milo. I'm guessing their goal was to make the relatively dispassionate, clinical tone of Clarke's source material more palatable for a TV audience. I actually found both of these arcs to be touching, even heartbreaking -- but they did distract from some of the main story beats (for instance, worldwide parental despair at the loss of all children). I also think some of the resolution (and especially Overmind) scenes in Part Three were far too literal to have their intended impact. But again, I don't believe this material easily lends itself to a literal/visual medium. In all, I was surprisingly impressed by the excellent effects, the truly haunting imagery, and the degree of story power that managed to remain intact. Hoping this heralds a lasting (and long-overdue) change in programming philosophy for the SyFy channel.… Expand
  4. Salvation81
    Dec 23, 2015
    7
    If you haven't read the book like i haven't then chances are you will like the series, if not for its somewhat "typical" plot (bad Aliens a'la Trojan Horse) then certainly for its CGI. Some of the actors who play are also quite nice (Charles Dance as Karellen sits at the top - the ones from the dome not so much) but i do believe that most are simply put bad.
    7 from me because of the CGI,    If you haven't read the book like i haven't then chances are you will like the series, if not for its somewhat "typical" plot (bad Aliens a'la Trojan Horse) then certainly for its CGI. Some of the actors who play are also quite nice (Charles Dance as Karellen sits at the top - the ones from the dome not so much) but i do believe that most are simply put bad.
    7 from me because of the CGI, base material and Charles Dance.    … Expand
  5. Bluesmanuk
    Feb 27, 2016
    9
    This is a mini series that says so much about the problems of humanity but never attempts to make any kind of political commentary about the human race. It builds in a manner that has you wanting to know what comes next. At times it does seem to stray into areas that make little sense at the time but by the time you get to the end, all becomes very clear and worth every minute of viewing.This is a mini series that says so much about the problems of humanity but never attempts to make any kind of political commentary about the human race. It builds in a manner that has you wanting to know what comes next. At times it does seem to stray into areas that make little sense at the time but by the time you get to the end, all becomes very clear and worth every minute of viewing. A gem of a series that could easily get missed.… Expand
  6. pakar
    Dec 20, 2015
    9
    It has some flaws but overall a very good adaptation and a deep breath of true science fiction. Some people of course don't understand that writing a book and writing a script for tv are two different things.
  7. RAALee
    Dec 18, 2015
    9
    Visually stunning with feature film effects and solid performances, this TV adaptation deviates from the epic novel in some ways to accommodate a television audience and time frame, yet keeps the essential power and thoughtful themes. If you seek space based warfare and space opera themes you should look elsewhere, but if you are looking for a great story from one of our planet's bestVisually stunning with feature film effects and solid performances, this TV adaptation deviates from the epic novel in some ways to accommodate a television audience and time frame, yet keeps the essential power and thoughtful themes. If you seek space based warfare and space opera themes you should look elsewhere, but if you are looking for a great story from one of our planet's best minds, Childhood's End may be for you.… Expand
  8. donelson
    Apr 3, 2016
    8
    Although the second episode is a bit confused, slow and mildly clichéd, the first and last episodes had superb insight into the nature of love, the pain of loss, the hope of renewal, and the ultimate sadness of a society with no hope of children, and thus no purpose. Shining bright in some moments, beautifully produced, and with fine young actors in many roles. The ending is true toAlthough the second episode is a bit confused, slow and mildly clichéd, the first and last episodes had superb insight into the nature of love, the pain of loss, the hope of renewal, and the ultimate sadness of a society with no hope of children, and thus no purpose. Shining bright in some moments, beautifully produced, and with fine young actors in many roles. The ending is true to Clarke's book, but perhaps even more poignant.… Expand
  9. nilsy
    Sep 20, 2017
    8
    It doesn't need to be as good as the book.
    You can watch this without having read the book

    If you remove the fact its based on a "classic" it is much much better then the average scifi tv show and i quite like the mini tv show format.

    While it is very ambitious and fails to be amazing it still leaves me wishing there were lot more similar scifi out there.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
52
#52 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ryan Anielski
    Dec 15, 2015
    83
    Ultimately, Childhood's End is a successful adaptation of a much-beloved novel that will satisfy fans and newcomers alike--wrapped nicely at both ends with colorful characters and effects, but faintly lacking a little something in the middle.
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Dec 14, 2015
    50
    At times the production can seem underbudgeted, the direction overwrought. Here and there, the dialogue sounds as if it had been written by an alien who picked up English from broadcasts of B-pictures. As the series' resident alien, Charles Dance--both as a disembodied and later an elaborately embodied, commanding voice--gets the best of this business.
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  3. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Dec 14, 2015
    80
    The disturbing alien plot unfurls through a wondrous, hours-long act of dramatic magic that draws together elements from ancient religions and modern science. This is heady stuff--but it's relayed with such intensity it'll sweep you along. The last act is a gut punch.
    Read full review
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