Gunpowder

:

Season 1
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 36
  3. Negative: 7 out of 36
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User Reviews

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  1. balaclava27
    Dec 22, 2017
    10
    Brilliant series. Fantastic costumes and overall production values. Kit harington has done amazing in his very first job as a producer and showrruner. Gunpowder is hands down one of the best minisseries of 207.
  2. shoulderoforion
    Dec 23, 2017
    7
    Decent historical, decent writing, more than decent acting , great cast, didn't know much of anything beyond the fact the Gunpowder Plot was a failed attempt by Catholics to blow up Parliament (thanks V for Vendetta) this filled in all the blanks my history lessons had left out. It's a decent watch.
  3. PeterDicklage
    Dec 18, 2017
    10
    If anyone watched Wolf Hall, they should watch this. The religious fallout from Henry VIII breaking with the Church of Rome led to one of the bloodiest periods in our islands history. Catholics were hunted down and butchered mercilessly by Protestant zealots who were no better than witch finders. Even today, many 15th and 16th century homes in England have 'priest holes' where priestsIf anyone watched Wolf Hall, they should watch this. The religious fallout from Henry VIII breaking with the Church of Rome led to one of the bloodiest periods in our islands history. Catholics were hunted down and butchered mercilessly by Protestant zealots who were no better than witch finders. Even today, many 15th and 16th century homes in England have 'priest holes' where priests would hide if disturbed performing an illegal Catholic Mass. Yet in truth, it shaped our country, and conversely, it also helped to establish the United States. What a shame to see Sian Webber (Lady Dorothy) dispatched so early on. I'll be interested to see how Liv Tyler pans out, I suspect pretty good. I'll probably add to this review as I've only seen one very good episode, but I will say this. The acting, scenes, directing and script are top notch. If people complain about the execution scenes, don't watch them. England was a bloody place to live then, but through the reformation and our own religious revolution, we found ourselves and our identity in the world. I would have to rate this drama series very very highly indeed.… Expand
  4. paulsaint
    Dec 28, 2017
    10
    Kit Harington's new series is nothing short of outstanding. I look foward to see his next projects as a producer. He has proved that he has a bright future ahead of him once jon snow is retired for good.
  5. TheonGayjoy
    Dec 18, 2017
    10
    This is a story with many, many moving parts. In the wrong hands, the series could have so easily disintegrated into a bubbling mess of confusion, but it has been handled not only ably, but with astounding finesse. The overall story weaves with grace, each scene carries with it an almost tangible flavor. Characters are believable and acted with soul. But the most remarkable achievement,This is a story with many, many moving parts. In the wrong hands, the series could have so easily disintegrated into a bubbling mess of confusion, but it has been handled not only ably, but with astounding finesse. The overall story weaves with grace, each scene carries with it an almost tangible flavor. Characters are believable and acted with soul. But the most remarkable achievement, I'd say, is having been able to hold it all together, all the intricate little plots, all the rich characters, without letting any one story-line or character progression get lost. it will go down as one of the greatest television achievements of all time.… Expand
  6. KitHarington
    Dec 18, 2017
    10
    Hands down the best television series of all time. The writing and acting never cease to astonish, amaze, delight, intrigue, and captivate. The camera work is cinema-worthy. The casting brilliant. I could watch each episode three times and still be held in thrall by the excellence of this series on every level.
  7. rachelisla
    Dec 28, 2017
    10
    Gunpowder is such a beautiful and thought-provoking film. I'm thankful hbo gave us this amazing christmas present this year.
  8. Oddmoore
    Jan 9, 2018
    2
    This series was a disappointment. This is unfortunate because the plot is an interesting one and the cast consist of some excellent actors.
    The problems are the lack of a backstory and the nonexistent character development. After all was said and done, I simply didn't care about anyone or their "my religion is better than your religion" battles.
    It was three episodes of drawn out    This series was a disappointment. This is unfortunate because the plot is an interesting one and the cast consist of some excellent actors.
    The problems are the lack of a backstory and the nonexistent character development. After all was said and done, I simply didn't care about anyone or their "my religion is better than your religion" battles.
    It was three episodes of drawn out speeches of no import or impact, a foiled plot and one exquisitely lame battle scene.
    In the end I felt like I had finished a poor meal. well, I paid for it, may as well finish it.    … Expand
  9. Ryan30952
    Feb 4, 2018
    8
    Excellent movie quality casting for what felt like a historical documentary. While graphic, it wasn't for the sake of gratuitous violence, but accurate to the consequences of the time period. The Protestant Inquisitors were complex enough to be absolutely sinister but still human. Costumes and sets were immersive. Good production by HBO.
  10. DasBentley
    Mar 17, 2019
    5
    The show is not a total failure, with 3 episodes u really could not get invested in the characters or the story.Some of the actors were solid while some left much to be desired.I guess that is how i would best summarize the show Good to look at but it leaves much to be desired in the story department.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
65
#65 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Dec 19, 2017
    70
    The bulk of Gunpowder is a reasonably exciting costume drama combining history and suspense, with fine performances by Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss as the King’s vindictive secretary of state and Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake, Ozark) as Henry Garnet, a Jesuit priest sympathetic to Catesby’s efforts.
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  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    Dec 18, 2017
    40
    [Gunpowder] takes its precious time with weighty moments yet still skims the surface of things in a way that never fully engages nor illuminates its key characters.
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  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Dec 18, 2017
    50
    The series is handsomely dressed, and Mr. Blakeson has the blunt ability to ratchet up tension that he showed in the 2009 film “The Disappearance of Alice Creed.” But Mr. Bennett’s script, while it delineates the issues, doesn’t make us care about the people involved.
    Read full review
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