Covert Affairs

:

Season 1
  • Network: USA
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 13, 2010
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
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Critic Reviews

  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    80
    The pilot rumbles forward on crisp action and light-hearted humor, while hinting at higher stakes that offer room for narrative growth. While easily dismissed as another "Alias" (like Jennifer Garner, Perabo can do wonderful things to a simple skirt and heels), the show also makes clever use of Walker's newbie status.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    80
    Covert Affairs is fun and clever and Ms. Perabo has panache in the role.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Randee Dawn
    80
    It's perfect summer television--just turn off the excess brain cells and let Agent Walker do the seduction, and the shooting, for you.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    80
    Covert Affairs may not have the revenge factor of "Burn Notice" or the bromantic banter of "White Collar," but it's fast-paced, fun and every bit as charming.
  6. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    80
    But it's Perabo, as an endearing overachiever who thinks on her well-shod feet, who makes Covert Affairs such an entertaining ride.
  7. Zap2it (Inside the Box)
    Reviewed by: Hanh Nguyen
    80
    With Covert Affairs, USA has added another slick and likable drama to its summer lineup.
  8. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    80
    Covert Affairs is a zippy character study, and it puts Perabo's features to playful use in the earliest moments of the pilot, filling the screen with them in a context where they're begging to be studied.
  9. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    80
    It promised, in short, steadily absorbing plots and skilled writing, and these the series has delivered ever since.
  10. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    75
    Still, in keeping with USA's sunnier outlook, this is a far lighter show than Alias: less complicated, less morally complex, less deep and, while fun, just simply "less."
  11. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    70
    The mood is bright and whimsical--easy to take and just as easy to forget.
  12. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    70
    Pretty much every character and character trait will be old-hat to regular TV viewers but director Tim Matheson makes the pilot episode hang together pretty well.
  13. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    70
    Covert Affairs (could there be any title that sounds more like being stuck at the airport with nothing to read?) at least does us the favor of introducing storylines that transcend the usual case files.
  14. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    67
    If the show can strike a balance between chuckles and capers, Covert Affairs won't be a secret. It will be USA Network's biggest hit.
  15. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    63
    The series is fun, slick and fast, but cheesier than it needs to be.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best TV Season of 2010
23
#23 Most Discussed TV Season of 2010
43
#43 Most Shared TV Season of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 113
  3. Negative: 15 out of 113
  1. cinephile
    Aug 24, 2010
    8
    Although unrealistic to the typical day at the CIA, the characters are easy to relate with and very entertaining. Christopher Gorham'sAlthough unrealistic to the typical day at the CIA, the characters are easy to relate with and very entertaining. Christopher Gorham's depiction of a blind CIA agent makes you love him even more and the witty comments swapped between characters leave a smile on your face. All in all, a great show, that is perfect for a summer drama series. Hopefully it sticks around for a long time.… Full Review »
  2. s_francesca
    Jun 12, 2011
    3
    The show calls for Annie to be a sleek strong intelligent agent rearing to explore the world, saving people on the way while being sexy andThe show calls for Annie to be a sleek strong intelligent agent rearing to explore the world, saving people on the way while being sexy and confident. Yet we are let with miss Perabo, her acting is so below par that she translates Annie into an inexperienced deer in the light intern, who seems so out of place in the CiA. Making the show so wrong and awkward. And even though it is well written the simple miscasting of Piper Perabo reduces the show to less than it could have been.… Full Review »
  3. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    4
    From the promotion and the looks of it this show showed some promise but it never picked up. It was mediocre at best. That only tells me thatFrom the promotion and the looks of it this show showed some promise but it never picked up. It was mediocre at best. That only tells me that maybe I've watched way to many spy or cop shows and that it would take something remarkable to impress me.… Full Review »
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