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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  1. CO2016
    Dec 3, 2016
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I found this TV series to have such promise in the initial 10 minutes of the episode playing...then, I began to wonder if all the characters were robots. I was waiting for the...surprise Ethan...we are robots too. Their lack of emotions in the characters, their wooden emotions and the lack of realism from Halle Berry as playing an astronaut are just some of the many criticisms I have. For an astronaut, I really thought her situational awareness to a situation would be a lot higher than how it's being portrayed. But, her love of ridiculous shoes is evident. Why are you wearing such stupid heels when you are supposed to be going a covert mission to track down the baby/creature? Her level of awareness to the threat is also pretty dense.
    This whole show seems to want to pursue this idea of technology and a certain level of intellect that is being created. Yet, they show that they haven't even bothered to bug the home of the astronaut who has been returned home with a life form in her?? Pretty terrible plot idea there ppl. They have such fancy designs of driver-less cars, screens that pop up to take phone calls etc, but, not be able to find two 'wanted astronauts' out in public??
    It's pretty pathetic overall. I hope it doesn't last longer than Season 2.    … Expand
  2. 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
  3. ohkayh
    Jan 17, 2016
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The first season started off great ! I really think you got a feel for all of the characters some of whom I fell in love with! The plot might not have developed quickly but I enjoyed each episode, and I wanted to know what came next. There were a few twists and turns I found odd and inconsistent. Why was Sparks so intent on seeing Katie again when he sent her up there to pretty much die? I never did understand his deal with Mr Yasumoto. He didn't seem like a man overly concerned with death, which leaves me to wonder if he was in it for the profit. Either way, anyone who would willingly put their own child in danger, doesn't strike me as the kind of man who would obsess over their loss. I try to like Molly as a character, but I find her a bit self-obsessed. I also find her selfish. Strong, yes....stubborn yes.......compassionate...most of the time, but still a fundamentally flawed character because her quests always seem to be at the expense of other people. I absolutely will never understand season 2 either. John who was the loyal loving husband decided to play away, very conveniently this just happened to coincide with the time when he was 'killed off' so he couldn't even make it right. Admittedly I'm only part way through season 2 but its already giving me pause for thought. What happened to him? His character seemed to switch to loyal loving father and husband, to someone who was angry distant and disheartened. Granted his wife seemed to live a life that barely ran parallel with his, but to me they took away one of the things I loved most about John. He loved her. He really loved her. And he really loved Ethan. He found in him something he could channel all of his love into. To end his character on such a lousy note seems wrong. Surely in reality people aren't perfect. They make mistakes. Things happen. But for him to have such a radical change in personality and then to have him just snuffed out before it was even explained seems lazy! Same goes for the flip with Julie although admittedly it wasn't expected. She had been butting heads with John for some time over work, it was clear their paths weren't the same. Its also clear she wanted her feelings to go somewhere and even clearer that they never would and the storyline seemed to stay true to this despite the affair. Its also true I can understand how something like that would change a person. Life can make you bitter if you let it. I never did quite warm to Julie and/or trust her. The one thing I did believe in was her love for Ethan! So what she did in Season 2 (wiping his memories of Molly) that I understand. I'm glad that Charlie's seems to be true to character and I love how hes become everyones moral compass! I like him! But to go from making an android that was as human as possible, one that could walk side by side with man one day, to building a weapon of war, thats a big leap. Surely it goes against everything they believe in. Again, good people can make poor decisions when pushed into them, but this? Add to that the fact that Molly in Season 2 is once again alone with no friends (after being betrayed by Sam and making up and having her help during season one in season two theres another sloppy way to end a character, by making her key in getting her locked up and put away - how many u turns can one character have - she also deserved to be written out better - her first betrayal although sad you could understand even if you didn't agree with it, she was trying to protect her family. What was her motivation the second time around I wonder and will we ever know) i also don't understand how a woman who wanted to be a mother so bad could just let her sons be taken away and do nothing. In fact she seems to be doing everything BUT looking for the answers regarding them. Does this make sense? She took the death of her hybrid son on face value and she let Ethan be taken away without even so much as a fight, despite that being the only link she now has left to John. All in all of these discrepancies make it hard to get away with Extant. The thing about good storytelling is, you make characters that we all can relate to. For better or worse, those characters have to be believable. Also its very sloppy to start a plotline (like the one with Odin in season 1) without any kind of completion. Ethan blew himself up to save everybody, and nothing more was said about it. Does that mean that Odin just let it drop. Seriously? A terrorist organisation that went to that much trouble to just give up after their first attempt. Also, what happened with all the government officials in season one, switch to Season 2 and they've brought in a whole new cast before you even get used to the original ones. I'm not saying the acting isn't great because it is, or that the plot doesn't have some merit (it does) but I really don't like loose ends. I also don't like good characters going to waste. I'm hoping things turn around, but right now I'm losing interest… Expand
  4. 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
  5. nitefox1337
    Nov 6, 2015
    1
    This show is so bad that you'd think it's Stephen King and not Spielberg who produced it. Also, how did Halle Berry got an Oscar??? The acting performance of Halle Berry in this show is proof that Oscars are all fixed and politics.
  6. 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.
  7. John718
    Sep 15, 2015
    0
    So many drastic and straight out cold changes have made Extant Season 2 a totally different show...not necessary bad, but to those people (like me) that loved the first season would feel totally cheated because of its initial narrative, a family struggle between the decisions taken in letting themselves be part of the marvels that technology have brought to their lives (Ethan) vs. theSo many drastic and straight out cold changes have made Extant Season 2 a totally different show...not necessary bad, but to those people (like me) that loved the first season would feel totally cheated because of its initial narrative, a family struggle between the decisions taken in letting themselves be part of the marvels that technology have brought to their lives (Ethan) vs. the consequences of dealing with the unknown.

    That family part has been scratched off completely, and the show can no longer deliver on that promise. If the producers needed to shake things up they should have ended Extant with a 2 hour Series Finale and spinned off under a different name taking place years later.

    This is not the first time we see a CBS TV show takes drastic changes for the worse season after season....Just look at what happened to Under the Dome.    … Expand
  8. beachldy
    Sep 10, 2015
    5
    A series that was fun to watch but not spectacular...It was a bit ridiculous at times, where you knew "there's no way that could happen" (must simple things like getting into a building or room), but you'd watch anyway for the fun of it. I did like JD, and Molly was okay, but c'mon, getting tied as a mother to both an alien and a robotic child is a bit lame. Halle Berry did okay, but sheA series that was fun to watch but not spectacular...It was a bit ridiculous at times, where you knew "there's no way that could happen" (must simple things like getting into a building or room), but you'd watch anyway for the fun of it. I did like JD, and Molly was okay, but c'mon, getting tied as a mother to both an alien and a robotic child is a bit lame. Halle Berry did okay, but she needs a better series to get into. I seriously doubt Extant would came back next year.… Expand
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. bigeyes
    Apr 25, 2015
    0
    I love sci fi and this premise seemed worth a shot. But rather than plough through the whole first season (each individual episode description sounded somewhat thin and underwhelming), I decided to cut to the chase and just watch the last few episodes of Season 1, figuring the plotlines would be tightening, drama would be intensifying, and I could always go back and watch the buildup if itI love sci fi and this premise seemed worth a shot. But rather than plough through the whole first season (each individual episode description sounded somewhat thin and underwhelming), I decided to cut to the chase and just watch the last few episodes of Season 1, figuring the plotlines would be tightening, drama would be intensifying, and I could always go back and watch the buildup if it was that good. So glad I peeked at the end, so to speak, rather than sitting through several hours of this stuff. Slow pacing, hackneyed writing, and amateurish construction. Every time something even mildly suspenseful happens, the next scene invariably cuts to a couple of characters casually jaw-boning about it and any investment in what happens next completely deflates. You can see plot twists, such as they are, a mile away. Truly good sci fi, sadly, is not extant here.… Expand
  12. rich_pl
    Apr 1, 2015
    1
    Wooden presentation, dull monologues, illogical character decisions and just enough plot inconstancy to get on the wrong side of my suspension of disbelief. I cannot think of a single positive reason why I've bothered wasting my time with this series, I keep expecting something exciting or gripping to occur and each episode leaves me wishing I'd spent the time pickling eggs, or anything...Wooden presentation, dull monologues, illogical character decisions and just enough plot inconstancy to get on the wrong side of my suspension of disbelief. I cannot think of a single positive reason why I've bothered wasting my time with this series, I keep expecting something exciting or gripping to occur and each episode leaves me wishing I'd spent the time pickling eggs, or anything... anything but having to watch this.… Expand
  13. 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
  14. Luxangel7
    Oct 4, 2014
    0
    SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BORING. It's so boring I only wrote enough to fill the minimum quota for an equally boring review. Omfg this show is such shi t
  15. 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
  16. katezoe
    Sep 19, 2014
    1
    What a bad show. Halle Berry who I think is a good actress was sleep walking through this role. The writing was bad Hollywood at its worst. Boring series and we were happy to see it end. I certainly will not watch this if there is a second season.
  17. Bogwraith
    Sep 18, 2014
    0
    I am pained by how bad this designed-by-committee utterly visionless trash is. I am angered that I gave it a chance and kept watching hoping it might get better... and it got worse! I am enraged that many good series have been canceled, and this is what they give us instead.

    And did I not see a movie (or two) with this same premise except better executed?
  18. Ravens1294
    Sep 18, 2014
    3
    After a promising start, the show started to decline rapidly. It had an interesting and good concept for a TV show, but they failed to deliver on it. Throughout the whole season, it seems like most episodes are carbon copies of one another. It's the same thing over and over again. It took long to accelerate the show as the middle was a complete waste. The final 2 episodes wereAfter a promising start, the show started to decline rapidly. It had an interesting and good concept for a TV show, but they failed to deliver on it. Throughout the whole season, it seems like most episodes are carbon copies of one another. It's the same thing over and over again. It took long to accelerate the show as the middle was a complete waste. The final 2 episodes were significantly improved, but it was already too late. The show would have been better with fewer episodes. Writing has been decent and at times; sloppy. They just did not know what to do with the 3 story lines. Getting into the story lines, I really didn't care for Ethan. The kid who plays him does a good job though. Halle Berry does a good job with her character, but the rest is just average. They had really good production values and the music was pretty good. The alien reveal was lame and it took way too long to finally see it. At the end of the season, the show was just okay. Nothing special and I don't think it deserves a season 2.… Expand
  19. FutureMuggles
    Sep 14, 2014
    1
    Awful show - mainly due to a complete lack of a credible screenplay. Some of the actors are just bad while others (notably Berry) struggle to play the roles and scripts they've been given. And the further we go the more jumps we have to make to get over the holes, not in the plot, but in the unnatural way the characters interact and respond. I give it 1 point for production it's a diamondAwful show - mainly due to a complete lack of a credible screenplay. Some of the actors are just bad while others (notably Berry) struggle to play the roles and scripts they've been given. And the further we go the more jumps we have to make to get over the holes, not in the plot, but in the unnatural way the characters interact and respond. I give it 1 point for production it's a diamond in a cowpat.… Expand
  20. Bingo99
    Sep 5, 2014
    0
    Awful...really a horror movie and not a science fiction movie. Entirely too drawn out... Should have been a 4 hr miniseries at most. They clearly stretched and stretched to make this 13 hrs.
  21. Samahael
    Sep 4, 2014
    6
    there is production value, beautiful scenes- but it is predictable and the acting is not alive. Wooden performances from good actors all around. Characters couldnt be cut more stereotypically. The only thing that that one can get hooked ( if not not fan of HB) is the mystery what is actually going on. Not enough for a good tv-serie of nowadays. Wake up directors - even if futuristic, itthere is production value, beautiful scenes- but it is predictable and the acting is not alive. Wooden performances from good actors all around. Characters couldnt be cut more stereotypically. The only thing that that one can get hooked ( if not not fan of HB) is the mystery what is actually going on. Not enough for a good tv-serie of nowadays. Wake up directors - even if futuristic, it must live and breathe. Fasten the tempo, the first two episodes could have been easily one.… Expand
  22. 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".
  23. BehzadM
    Aug 28, 2014
    5
    used to love this series ... but after the last episodes i freakin hate it ... it SUCKS ! how they acting , story and where they're going with it , ... all is so stupid ! hope it gets better ... :|
  24. jimbo1944
    Aug 22, 2014
    4
    I'm good with Halle's part about the weird pregnancy, ghost of old boyfriend, evil gov't men, etc. Decent srotyline. Don't need the battery kid and her husband. It's a robot for Pete's sake. All that tucking him in & the husband's behavior is lame. I may not last because of that.
  25. ragereview
    Aug 22, 2014
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This started as a potentially exciting new series. Sci-Fi, mystery, thriller - good ingredients for a TV show. However, it suffers from a unbelievably slow plot line, terrible dialogue and the direction of the show feels lost.

    There are many obvious plot holes which are never explained leaving the viewer wondering what's going on and deeply frustrated. The biggest one is why is her house not bugged?

    The main character Molly unfortunately, is either being utterly naive or incredibly stupid for an astronaut to not realise what's going on around her and for some reason has giant balls of bravery when it comes to confronting armed people with machine guns and grenades with no more than her assertive voice protecting her.

    The other main focus of the show is Molly's A.I. son, Ethan. Again, the intrigue is there but he's just very creepy and it feels like a retold story of 'Skynet' from the Terminator series.

    The writers need to add some energy and rhythm to the series if it has a chance of surviving.    … Expand
  26. MovieTVLover
    Aug 21, 2014
    2
    REALLY!

    To predictable to obvious. Acting not top notch. Its going to take more than Halle to make this interesting to me. An unpredictable story line is a good start.
  27. 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.
  28. FleshWorld
    Aug 13, 2014
    5
    I'm about halfway through the season and the only reason why I continue to watch it just to figure out what the hell is happening. That's never a good motivation to watch a TV show. You want the hour by hour drama to sustain you but it simply does not in this case.
  29. 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
  30. KGalbrea
    Aug 8, 2014
    6
    Started out with an interesting premise and well acted by Halle Berry. But now that we are into the meat of the series the writing has slipped dramatically.
    This is the standard way that the major networks always treat Sci-fi.
    I hope they can bring it back up but so far it continues to be predictable and gets less well written each episode.
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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.
    Read full review
  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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