Emerald City

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 6, 2017
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 102 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 102
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 102
  3. Negative: 24 out of 102
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User Reviews

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  1. JorgeLestre
    Jan 12, 2017
    8
    It may well be the next guilty pleasure. The story is flawed but the visuals manage to upgrade the show to the level it deserves. It never intends to be The Wizard of Oz but a new, fresh version of the same universe.
  2. Davrosdaleks1
    Jan 8, 2017
    8
    Well, I liked it. Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect, but it is entertaining. I definitely think it's better than Tin Man. The visuals are excellent, the structure of the fantasy world is distinctive, and I thought the characters drew you in. Personally, I'm interested in seeing where this goes. Also, as a fan of the original books, its nice to see them use elements from the other booksWell, I liked it. Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect, but it is entertaining. I definitely think it's better than Tin Man. The visuals are excellent, the structure of the fantasy world is distinctive, and I thought the characters drew you in. Personally, I'm interested in seeing where this goes. Also, as a fan of the original books, its nice to see them use elements from the other books rather than get all their inspiration from the movie.… Expand
  3. Mediasavvy
    Jan 11, 2017
    10
    I loved this show. It's visually rich, with a strong cast, great performances and informed, nuanced writing. While it's being sold as a 'reinvention' it actually has more in common with the original Frank Baum books than Garland's 'Wizard of Oz'. The original books are dark and creepy and set a tone of uncertainty, unfairness and unexpectedness that this TV show mines well. You don'tI loved this show. It's visually rich, with a strong cast, great performances and informed, nuanced writing. While it's being sold as a 'reinvention' it actually has more in common with the original Frank Baum books than Garland's 'Wizard of Oz'. The original books are dark and creepy and set a tone of uncertainty, unfairness and unexpectedness that this TV show mines well. You don't truly know what will happen next, in Frank Baum's original books or this retelling.

    Ignore the Hollywood pundits on this show. Some creep in NBC clearly has it out for this show and is using a game of Chinese whispers to kill it.

    Ignore those critics or TV watchers who compare this show to the Wizard of Oz. This show has nothing to do with that movie and that movie had little to do with Frank Baum's books: very little, in tone, content or theme. This show is more in keeping with Baum's vision, than MGM's silly movie ever tried to do.

    I thank the producers for updating the story (making Dorothy a Latina, for starters), because a great story should not be trapped by the blinkered bigotries of the past. It should evolve as we do. I think they did a great job of keeping it creepy, making every plot turn unexpected and painting such a beautiful visual fantasy landscape to work with. The cast is strong, the colors are rich and the modernizing touches only enhance the thematic ambitions of the original WRITTEN work. Normally, I'd give this show a 9, but since someone in Hollywood has it out for this show, I'll give it a 10 and hope it lives long enough to earn that last point. The script and performances show a nuanced understanding of their subject and the leads carry their roles far better than most of the dreck on TV.

    Forget the Wizard of Oz. Explore this show's universe as if it were written today. I think you will really enjoy it. If you actually read Baum's work, you won't be disappointed either...............................    … Expand
  4. chrissycat
    Jan 20, 2017
    10
    If a 'critic' says no, I say give it a go. I love fantasy and this re-telling of an adult Oz is on point. I will watch all of the episodes. We will see if it is second season worthy. Not a too bad replacement for Grimm.
  5. dalaranas
    Jan 23, 2017
    10
    Great show, shows potential for Game of Thrones quality acting and scenery with time.
    Best thing to hit high fantasy on tv for a while. Could not be more excited about it. It is a solid 10 despite 10 mins of boring looking story, which picks up and a magnificent pace.
  6. brummsumsel
    Mar 9, 2017
    10
    Emerald City deserves a 2nd season. The 1st season was undoubtedly a bit jumpy, but the characters are amazingly developed, the story is a brilliant new take on an old classic and given a chance, it can and will surprise us all. The CGI has been exciting, the actors were all great and lastly, the cliffhanger is a killer, leaving so many questions open. I'm giving it a 10 thumbs up and IEmerald City deserves a 2nd season. The 1st season was undoubtedly a bit jumpy, but the characters are amazingly developed, the story is a brilliant new take on an old classic and given a chance, it can and will surprise us all. The CGI has been exciting, the actors were all great and lastly, the cliffhanger is a killer, leaving so many questions open. I'm giving it a 10 thumbs up and I truly hope NBC sees the potential. Emerald City would be the perfect replacement for Grimm.… Expand
  7. evanevieve
    Feb 26, 2017
    10
    This isn't a gritty re-boot, it's a show with complexity using fantasy to show poignant metaphors. Which is to say, it's the same you know, re-imagined and all grown-up. The show gives complexity to the characters of Oz, whilst ensuring autonomy and diversity of its characters. By shooting in Europe, the background of Oz feels more fantastical and wondrous with such little CGI used. FromThis isn't a gritty re-boot, it's a show with complexity using fantasy to show poignant metaphors. Which is to say, it's the same you know, re-imagined and all grown-up. The show gives complexity to the characters of Oz, whilst ensuring autonomy and diversity of its characters. By shooting in Europe, the background of Oz feels more fantastical and wondrous with such little CGI used. From costuming to acting to directing, this show is far better than most television shows. I would watch it over-and-over.… Expand
  8. gobhoblin
    Mar 21, 2017
    8
    Definitely the best show I never saw coming. had no clue what this was and started watching mid season, had to go back and watch them all after the first one I saw. Good costume design, best adaptation of the books I have seen, overall fantastic casting. My biggest issue with the show would have to be that every character is an insufferable moron who can never solve a problem logically.
  9. Auldepharte
    Mar 3, 2017
    8
    If you are expecting cheery jazz numbers and happy endings, you will be disappointed. An interesting take with slow character development. You won't have a firm grasp of character relations by the end of the first season and it won't be the first time NBC has pulled out of a promising series too early. I am hoping it will get another season as the main nemesis was hardly introduced.If you are expecting cheery jazz numbers and happy endings, you will be disappointed. An interesting take with slow character development. You won't have a firm grasp of character relations by the end of the first season and it won't be the first time NBC has pulled out of a promising series too early. I am hoping it will get another season as the main nemesis was hardly introduced. (If the "10 episodes = a season" formula continues).… Expand
  10. superhorn
    Mar 30, 2017
    10
    Great show love the new version on the story. It is way better than all the same old reality shows!!! I
    hope they keep it going cause i am so tired of all the same old shows on now!!
  11. xshayarsha
    May 13, 2017
    8
    While I agree that story-wise the show could have better written (e.g., the plot around Tip is confusing from the start, if you didn't read Baum's books, you don't know why to care about him/her), and there are some plot holes, this is a very solid fantasy TV show. Great performances (a great cast, which some standout actors), costumes, set design (with use of Gaudi's magicalWhile I agree that story-wise the show could have better written (e.g., the plot around Tip is confusing from the start, if you didn't read Baum's books, you don't know why to care about him/her), and there are some plot holes, this is a very solid fantasy TV show. Great performances (a great cast, which some standout actors), costumes, set design (with use of Gaudi's magical architecture), etc. It should air on Netflix or Amazon, but on broadcast TV it stood no chance. The best, however, is Trevor Morris' magical score for this show, one of the best TV scores in 2016/2017 season.… Expand
  12. longbeachjoe
    May 18, 2017
    10
    I cannot believe they canceled this series. I had really enjoyed it because it was different story on an old story. I bought this whole series via Itunes store and I did that because I do not like how many commercials are on regular television. You have 15 min of show and 15 min of commercials.
  13. kennfusion
    Feb 21, 2017
    7
    I think it suffers from some identity issues of what it wants to be and how it goes about it, especially as it tries to decide how much it should resemble the Frank L Baum land of Oz. But, it's interesting, I want to know more. The world building in what I thought was a "known" world is a unique take and I find it good entertainment.
  14. Jerzy
    Mar 29, 2017
    10
    One of the very best TV series I have ever seen. The one of the very few that don't repeat usual 'TV story' narrative patterns. So it may be 'confusing' if one wants to feel safe, knowing how this all may end from the very start.

    It's a feast for eyes, someone who did this knows visual arts history and has a good taste.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
19
#19 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 31
  3. Negative: 10 out of 31
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jan 9, 2017
    30
    The entire thing feels too canny, too much the result of a marketplace gamble, and that’s especially dispiriting in light of the fact that all ten episodes are directed by Tarsem Singh, an extravagant visual stylist whose work tends to have a music-video-fashion-show-nightmare vividness even when the story makes no sense and isn’t trying to.
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  2. Reason.com
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Jan 8, 2017
    40
    Practically all this ill-conceived series has going for it is spotting the mutations in plot and characters brought on by the conversion from fairytale to cheerless sword-and-sorcery epic.
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  3. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Jan 6, 2017
    25
    The plotting is goofy, the tone is relentlessly dark and the pacing is excruciatingly slow. Worst, the characters are hard to care about.
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