Counterpart

:

Season 1
  • Network: Starz
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 10, 2017
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 126 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 98 out of 126
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 126
  3. Negative: 15 out of 126
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User Reviews

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  1. SwarleyStinson
    Jan 30, 2018
    5
    Just like Man in The High Castle, Phillip K Dick comes up with a decent Sci-fi premise but gets way too bogged down in the details and character development so the plot is glacially slow paced. This iteration of it is like a 2 universe cold war and is much more focused on the spying than the sci fi. Having already seen Fringe, which is a much better implementation of this idea, its evenJust like Man in The High Castle, Phillip K Dick comes up with a decent Sci-fi premise but gets way too bogged down in the details and character development so the plot is glacially slow paced. This iteration of it is like a 2 universe cold war and is much more focused on the spying than the sci fi. Having already seen Fringe, which is a much better implementation of this idea, its even harder to tolerate the slow pace.
    JK Simmons is very good though and I suspect that like MiTHC it will also have rare but huge plot developments that may make it worthwhile dragging yourself though it.    … Expand
  2. CarlShadow
    Feb 19, 2018
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First, the good: J.K. Simmons

    Now, the rest: This show makes no sense when it asks us to believe that this other world would somehow be kept secret for decades. Not a chance. Even in the days before the internet, no country could keep its secrets safe let alone an entire world. How is it that the other side gave us the treatment for HIV but they couldn't develop a flu vaccine? That's a bizarre brand of science. On that note, if they helped us, why did we not help them? Why would they deal with us after we let their people die? Senseless. But the most sci-fi element is how a dowdy post menopausal woman in a perpetually foul mood manages to snare much younger lovers. Total mom porn. As much as I enjoy a fantastical premise, I need something to make me believe and so far only Howard is making this worth watching. That and the embarrassing hard sell by the creator after every episode in which he points out every obvious detail that only an idiot would miss. Im sure I'll watch this to the bitter end in the hope that it somehow rises to the level of its lead but I highly doubt I'll bother if it returns.    … Expand
  3. Dfranklin
    Mar 19, 2018
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show has become increasingly engaging over the season as the complex backstory is gradually revealed...until episode 9 No man's Land Part 1. The episode ends with an unnecessary and long office place gun massacre which reflects very badly given Parkland and other real life events. Seriously, Hollywood, did you really need to glamorize gun culture to tell the story? Please be responsible in your writing and let the excellent JK Simmons and the rest of the cast focus on the characters...no one needs or wants to view scenes like this.… Expand
  4. HotelCentral
    Jul 22, 2019
    6
    One problem with Counterpart is that it devotes a fair amount of time to relationships--marriages, love affairs, etc--and I spend this time wondering if people's feelings for one another have anything to do with anything outside the bedroom.

    But the main problem, as I see it, is Howard, by which I refer to "Howard Alpha." He's the good guy. He's moral, principled, honest, loyal,    One problem with Counterpart is that it devotes a fair amount of time to relationships--marriages, love affairs, etc--and I spend this time wondering if people's feelings for one another have anything to do with anything outside the bedroom.

    But the main problem, as I see it, is Howard, by which I refer to "Howard Alpha." He's the good guy. He's moral, principled, honest, loyal, compassionate, and understanding. And that would be great if he wasn't also pretty damn boring. His problem as a character is that he knows nothing of what's going on around him and that makes him little more than a puppet getting jerked around by all the other players.

    I mean, basically this show is the Cold War with scifi decor. It should be at least interesting if not absolutely thrilling and it is neither. The acting is fine. The visuals are low budget but good enough. The story is just flaccid and our titular hero is dull.

    I saw season 1 to the end out of sheer determination. I doubt I'll bother with season 2.    … Expand
  5. frannorthstar
    Jan 15, 2019
    6
    Sounded interesting then remembered a TV Twilight Zone similarity, and in researching found indeed session 1 episode 21, which aired 26 February 1960 titled ‘Mirror Image’ the same situation as ‘Counterpart’, in fact the lead actress Vera Miles in the TZ 1960 episode clearly mentions several times the ‘counterpart’ world seeing her ‘other self’ and that ‘they’ were trying to take over.Sounded interesting then remembered a TV Twilight Zone similarity, and in researching found indeed session 1 episode 21, which aired 26 February 1960 titled ‘Mirror Image’ the same situation as ‘Counterpart’, in fact the lead actress Vera Miles in the TZ 1960 episode clearly mentions several times the ‘counterpart’ world seeing her ‘other self’ and that ‘they’ were trying to take over. Originality died with the invention of fire.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best TV Season of 2017
45
#45 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Feb 1, 2018
    60
    The spy/conspiracy story is kind of a dud, but Howard's a keeper. [5-18 Feb 2018, p.11]
  2. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Jan 30, 2018
    80
    It’s a slower burn than you might expect, but it also grows a little more rewarding with every episode. It’s one to keep an eye on.
    Read full review
  3. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jan 25, 2018
    91
    Counterpart blooms and grows as an absorbing sci-fi/spy thriller with elemental questions about how identities can be forged and changed by environments and circumstances.
    Read full review
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