Extant

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 9, 2014
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 161 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 96 out of 161
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 161
  3. Negative: 34 out of 161
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User Reviews

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  1. silverado
    Nov 6, 2014
    9
    Extant is everything and much more than I expected from a sci fi tv series. It's a series that is especially interesting for women. There is a lot to relate to, for mothers and working women. The plot is from the start on very engaging. You don't need to drag yourself through terrible pilots like many other tv series. The pilot doesnt need sex or violence to sell itself, its the greatExtant is everything and much more than I expected from a sci fi tv series. It's a series that is especially interesting for women. There is a lot to relate to, for mothers and working women. The plot is from the start on very engaging. You don't need to drag yourself through terrible pilots like many other tv series. The pilot doesnt need sex or violence to sell itself, its the great story being told that makes it worth while from the beginning.

    The photography is absolutely gorgeous, with many CGI that really matter. The settings are also mind blowing, each building, room or car is beautifully styled.

    Then we have Halle Berry, she must be the most beautiful woman on earth! Her face is marvellous and she doesn't have had any plastic surgery or botox, her face can express everything. Great actress! Her tv series son is played by a talented child actor, Pierce Gagnon. He is truly intriguing and has a dark undercurrent. I love his part. Im so glad this series has been made, because it has style and the Halle Berry character is a great role model.

    You see, lately I got very bored with all the sex and violence and serial killers and tortured detectives. It's a pity that tv got so obsessed with violence.

    All together I find Extant a classic, very well crafted series that deserves attention.    … Expand
  2. cdsmusicchart
    Sep 22, 2014
    7
    "Extant" is mildly addicting (which made me watch episodes back to back on Wednesdays from 9-11), but the fact that it has an extremely hard to follow storyline made me skip out on the series before the finale. It was a nice affair while it lasted, but I don't see it coming back next year.

    Bottom-Line: Missing one episode will confuse you as to what's going on -- watching all episodes    "Extant" is mildly addicting (which made me watch episodes back to back on Wednesdays from 9-11), but the fact that it has an extremely hard to follow storyline made me skip out on the series before the finale. It was a nice affair while it lasted, but I don't see it coming back next year.

    Bottom-Line: Missing one episode will confuse you as to what's going on -- watching all episodes will still confuse you.    … Expand
  3. BogKid
    Jul 10, 2014
    9
    Excellent start. It is not much of a secret that there are reflections here of "2010", "AI - Artificial Intelligence" and "Solaris" but I can live with that. Considering the level of writing on many of the new network summer shows, "Extant" is a stand-out. Time will tell. I think Halle Berry will carry her part of the show. Let's hope the writers can do the same.
  4. horusmaximus
    Jul 14, 2014
    7
    Not yet sold on this one. There are plot flaws that I find rather unbelievable. Seriously, a lone astronaut on year long mission has the ability to manually delete surveillance footage in the station she's occupying and lie about it and get away with that? How sloppy are the software developers and managers of this future space program to allow something like that? Most existing systemsNot yet sold on this one. There are plot flaws that I find rather unbelievable. Seriously, a lone astronaut on year long mission has the ability to manually delete surveillance footage in the station she's occupying and lie about it and get away with that? How sloppy are the software developers and managers of this future space program to allow something like that? Most existing systems nowadays would log the manual deletion if it was allowed at all. I'd also think that anything that goes into the computer on the station would also be immediately forwarded on to Earth. Might seem like picking nits and I know I'm supposed to suspend disbelief for the sake of entertainment, but I do find it a bit annoying. Her best friend being her official doctor seems like a bad idea too administratively. So, ok, the future space program is going to be run by sloppy managers with no sense of backups, security, or common sense. I guess that's plausible considering the current state of NASA etc.

    The acting is pretty good over all. The kid does a good job of being an unlikeable/creepy little robot boy. He gives me flashbacks to the original Damien movie. His "dad'/creator is possibly less likeable in my opinion. Seems like an over-sensitive jerk and get easily offended by reasonable questions and only has insults and combative responses when the obvious questions get asked. He can't be very bright if he didn't see them coming, also it makes him a dangerous person to allow to play around building a new race of beings to directly compete with mankind. His Q&A with the potential investors in his little project seemed like the typical kind of debate where when one side doesn't have a good answer or an answer they want to admit, they just start calling the person who asked the question names. If you don't 100% believe everything out of the mouth of a single zealot-scientist you must be an ignorant caveman etc.

    Not sure where they are going with this one. Is it going to be a catch-all series with 101 different sub-plots like the X-files? You've got possible aliens, robots, mad-scientists, evil administrators, possibly evil immortal rich guys, etc. is it going to coordinate or be a hodgepodge? I'd like to see some genius script writing show up in the coming episodes to tie it all together but I'm not going to hold my breath. Been dissapointed way too many times.

    So I'm giving it a 7 out of 10 to start. I'm hoping they take my criticism into the script and explain it or expand on things. I know I seem over-all negative but its not bad, just not howl-at-the-mood exciting or very original, yet it is far better than another reality show, cop drama, doctor drama, fireman drama and so on. I'll take any scifi I can get. Falling Skies is so bad its pretty awesome, so if this going to stink, I hope they go all the way.    … Expand
  5. Marrissia
    Aug 13, 2014
    10
    This is absolutely the best thing I've watched on TV in a long time please don't cancel this series. I love all the suspense and the tension of watching this. i watched the first four episodes in one night. its so addicting. please keep this on.
  6. wooby111
    Jul 10, 2014
    9
    I will say this. For a summer show, this has brains, heart AND "soul" (regardless of the patriarch John Woods' opinion...which was ironically my favorite scene by a mile). Oh, and I can watch it with the entire family in the room. I'm getting too old to outlast the kids and/ or sneak away to watch True Blood, The Leftovers, etc. Good shows don't have to push the envelope for content to beI will say this. For a summer show, this has brains, heart AND "soul" (regardless of the patriarch John Woods' opinion...which was ironically my favorite scene by a mile). Oh, and I can watch it with the entire family in the room. I'm getting too old to outlast the kids and/ or sneak away to watch True Blood, The Leftovers, etc. Good shows don't have to push the envelope for content to be good, IMO. I'll dock it a single point for the derivative factor, but I'm not looking for someone to invent pizza. Just make a darn good one. And that it is. Roll on, episode 2!!!… Expand
  7. scottnangie9
    Jul 9, 2014
    10
    Excellent start to a great new show. This is a great mix of sci-fi and drama. This is a homerun for the shows creator Mickey Fisher, and the writting, acting and direction are superb for a summer show (this would also give most fall premiers a run for their money). The premier hits the ground running while at the same time allows good character development. Halle Berry really addsExcellent start to a great new show. This is a great mix of sci-fi and drama. This is a homerun for the shows creator Mickey Fisher, and the writting, acting and direction are superb for a summer show (this would also give most fall premiers a run for their money). The premier hits the ground running while at the same time allows good character development. Halle Berry really adds dimension and personality to the lead role. I liked that its sci-fi without being obvious. I am excited to see where the casts takes us, but if it continues where the pilot left off, we are all in for a wild ride.… Expand
  8. hockeyfan1
    Jul 10, 2014
    9
    I had been anticipating this premiere, and did it ever pay off! The pilot was great, I love the story and I cannot wait for more! Unlike James below, I didn't feel that it was disjointed at all. Much like the x-files, many amazing sci-fi shows take a couple episodes to provide all the background information that is needed for the viewer. Good stuff!
  9. JP2050
    Jul 19, 2014
    10
    Extant is excellent drama with sci-fi elements and an intriguing plot, helped by strong performances of Halle Berry and Pierce Gagnon, this tv show go high in the first two episodes. A suprising hit series, full of mysteries storylines, good effects and a solid written.
  10. jerrod
    Jul 13, 2014
    10
    Fantastic pilot! A high budget sci-fi with a solid story. TV needs more shows like this. My only worry is that with such a seemingly high budget that it won't get to be completed.
  11. RichardGonci
    Jul 14, 2014
    8
    EludiumQ36 was quite correct in criticizing the lazy/sloppy screenwriting convention that even my 14 year-old son spotted vis-a-vis erasing footage on a space mission. What is this, a reprise of Rose Mary Woods with the 18-minute gap on the Nixon tapes? It's a shame to take us out of an otherwise good story arc by insulting our intelligence. I think there could have been acceptableEludiumQ36 was quite correct in criticizing the lazy/sloppy screenwriting convention that even my 14 year-old son spotted vis-a-vis erasing footage on a space mission. What is this, a reprise of Rose Mary Woods with the 18-minute gap on the Nixon tapes? It's a shame to take us out of an otherwise good story arc by insulting our intelligence. I think there could have been acceptable work-arounds for this problem. On the other hand, a certain amount of suspension of disbelief is critical for any of these summer-filler shows to take us out of out doldrums. This show is infinitely better than the Godawful dreck that is getting "universal acclaim": "The Strain." At least here there are some some more conundrums to work through. An IQ better than a good golf score is required to recount last night's plot-line over the water-cooler to one's buddies the next day... unlike "The Strain." And then, there is Halle Berry, a constant delight to the eye.… Expand
  12. zee67
    Jul 12, 2014
    10
    Wow..Didn't hear of the series but when i saw the pilot..it blew me away..Really loved it!
    Nice sub plots, characters and Sci FI all bundled into one..This is going to be EPIC!
  13. DMT
    Sep 3, 2015
    10
    Season 1 was about 60 - 70% rating. It is sad to see that this series might be cancelled as season 2 really shows how amazing this series is becoming! Season one gives great background to go back to and was a nice build up to where we are now but if Season 1 was as gripping as season 2 this show would have had much better ratings! I hope more people watch season 2 and get more people into it.
  14. mac5
    Aug 11, 2014
    8
    Love the concept mix of sci-fi espionage and drama with the multi-dimensional characters with investment into developing the story at a great pace from the outset. The dialogue is relevant and on point and the acting is not too stifled or restricted. The jury is still out on the casting of Halle Berry as I feel she is somewhat of a quiet actress with limited presence.

    Overall, great    Love the concept mix of sci-fi espionage and drama with the multi-dimensional characters with investment into developing the story at a great pace from the outset. The dialogue is relevant and on point and the acting is not too stifled or restricted. The jury is still out on the casting of Halle Berry as I feel she is somewhat of a quiet actress with limited presence.

    Overall, great step into the complexity of sci-fi espionage and look forward to the development.    … Expand
  15. 55stars
    Jul 11, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A good premiere with some great moments. Overall, the plots, main and subplots, are interesting and I hope Mickey Fisher doesn't lose the threads and expands them on in later episodes. It was beautifully filmed, subtle in the space station scenes but also mesmerizing. The interior scenes were well done, but a little claustrophobic - for example while you see several rooms in Molly's home, you don't get any real sense of cohesion or flow, they are just rooms. This may have been done purposely to add to the sense that Molly is disconnected from her family - she's doesn't yet feel 'at home'. But there are some great scenes there: Molly reviewing photo albums, but not of her current family and her husband finding her there. Goran Visnjic is so subtle, you just catch a glimpse of a briefly clenched fist which releases as he approaches her, as he appears to gain control of some emotion. Pierce Gagnon as Ethan, their son, anxious because "Mommy's mad at me", and then he asks for the "flip" - he's a wonder to watch, as he seems to feel his status is in question. The shower scene in which you see a husband and wife trying to remember how to touch each other again - is there desire?

    I thought Halle Berry [HB] was very good, subtle with none of the overblown "star" acting that can happen when a movie actress shifts to television. What I like most is the fact to her credit, she is portraying a character who is trying to figure out what happened to her, and she doesn't just melt down. So many sci fi stories fail when they have female protagonists and they make them either suddenly panicky, forgetting all of the science and logic that makes them interesting and strong. Or, the character is forced to "become feminine" by losing that toughness or intelligence to gain compassion or gain some other 'missing' feminine aspect, as though she weren't a complete person in the first place. HB's performance was calm, but also showed fear, compassion, caution, awareness of the implicit dangers in her situation, and even a sense of humor without swinging wildly in one direction or the other. Molly is a smart person and I like that. (Yep I am female.) I am also a fan of Camryn Manheim [CM] and Goran Visnjic [GV] from previous tv and movies roles. GV's impassioned defense of his son (I won't use quotes in deference to the character) and CM's obvious concern over Molly's condition are great barometers of where this might go, although I hope that in future episodes, CM will prove more helpful (perform more tests?). But I liked their performances and their presence raises my expectations for the series.

    The conspiracy aspect of the suicided astronaut Hiram Kryger becoming Molly's Deep Throat is intriguing - will he become known as "The Dead Astronaut" or "TDA" like "Cigarette Smoking man" from X-Files? The privately owned space company she works for has its own agenda obviously. While some may expect to find "evil corporation" a trope these days, perhaps this is just a simple look at what privatization might mean for the space program and for the individuals who work for such a company. The management seems less evil and just interested in "product", which is what Molly might become. Hiroyuki Sanada (late of another great sci fi series, Helix), plays the head of the corporation and Michael O'Neill his director. Both have small scenes so far, but they are actors I enjoy watching, so I look forward to seeing more of them.

    There are also some interesting interactions between Molly and the son Ethan, as compared to Grace Gummer's character and Ethan. These contrasts make great plot points and I hope to see them develop. So yes, I will be watching and rooting for Molly to stay strong and in control of her own life, while discovering the mysteries both inside and outside her. I don't mind that I see elements of other sci fi movies (I've seen several mentioned: Gravity, Solaris, A.I.; I would include Aliens due to corporate aspect.) here because the themes are worth examining, particularly in how each affects the other: humans and artificial intelligence; humans and extraterrestrial lifeforms; artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial life; families and change; families changed by A.I.s, families changed by extraterrestrial life. We may need to redefine "human". which is scary and thrilling - a roller coaster in HD. I hope it is.    … Expand
  16. lbodie
    Aug 8, 2014
    10
    Face-paced and intriguing, not the usual cookie cutter plot. Every episode has a cliff hanger and the story leaves me engaged, thinking and wanting more. The acting is superb!
  17. TV-
    Sep 4, 2014
    10
    This show is awesome and it's good to see that the kids in this show are very good actors too, Shree Crook "Young Katie", Pierce Gagnon "Ethan Woods", and Cheyenne Nguyen "Little".
  18. Kalyani
    Jul 29, 2015
    10
    so far the show Is getting my full attention, at least the actors are more believable than those in Zoo or the silly Scorpion and I am a big fan of anything science fiction and futuristic scripts. I agree with some that it tends to be too slow, not much seems to have happened in the one hour (or what's left after 100 commercials)...we need more fast paced actions
  19. lisatuenge
    Sep 18, 2015
    10
    I love this show! Please, please renew it for 2015/2016!!! I have watched every episode up to the season finale and to stop this show would be very disappointing to all of us who look forward to seeing this each week.
  20. duncanngo
    Jan 15, 2016
    7
    Extant, as a TV series was greatly conceptualized and had been given much hope at the beginning. Even the acting crew was picked out to be the best - Halle Berry, Goran Visnjic, Pierce Gagnon. In recent years, there hasn't been a proper space science fiction TV show, and feature films are not doing great in that manner either. Therefore, Spielberg decided that the material should beExtant, as a TV series was greatly conceptualized and had been given much hope at the beginning. Even the acting crew was picked out to be the best - Halle Berry, Goran Visnjic, Pierce Gagnon. In recent years, there hasn't been a proper space science fiction TV show, and feature films are not doing great in that manner either. Therefore, Spielberg decided that the material should be painted on the small screen, and the channel CBS agreed with that, took advantage over this idea.… Expand
  21. goranfan
    Feb 9, 2016
    8
    Extant is a perfect example of what a small screen Sci-Fi should could come up with, if it were compiled by a big name director and backed up by a big-budget script. In my eyes, the story that developed behind Pierce Gagnon and Goran Visnjic (trying not to insert Halle Berry here) was some kind of magical. It was as if Commander data was a child all over again and Jean-Luc Picard would beExtant is a perfect example of what a small screen Sci-Fi should could come up with, if it were compiled by a big name director and backed up by a big-budget script. In my eyes, the story that developed behind Pierce Gagnon and Goran Visnjic (trying not to insert Halle Berry here) was some kind of magical. It was as if Commander data was a child all over again and Jean-Luc Picard would be the father. See the special relation I am talking about? Well, the irony is greater if you knew that Visnjic was a big fan of Stargate, another title from the great master - Gene Roddenberry himself.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best TV Season of 2014
29
#29 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
60
#60 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jul 9, 2014
    50
    The lead performances are a tad opaque, and the script feels as though it's telling two separate stories that don't immediately seem as though they'll connect in a graceful way.
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  2. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Tim Kenneally
    Jul 9, 2014
    80
    Despite the kitchen-sink feel to it all, Extant has much going for it. Berry impressively handles the task of playing a woman who's coming to grips with both a interstellar conception and a laboratory-built “son.” And so far the series has done a good job of balancing the gee-whiz gadget fetishism of science fiction with the need for characters that the viewer will care about.
    Read full review
  3. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jul 9, 2014
    75
    Extant plays with genres, mixing sci-fi, conspiracy thriller and scenes from a struggling marriage. It also asks some daring questions about the collision of machine and humanity.
    Read full review
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