Apple TV+ | Release Date: October 22, 2021
4.1
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 59 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
17
Mixed:
11
Negative:
31
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1
nkukNov 2, 2021
One of the worst TV shows I've ever watched. Its supposed to be sci-fi, but it's the dullest most cliched of daytime soap operas, and a really terrible one at that. After four episodes I could not care less if any of the main charactersOne of the worst TV shows I've ever watched. Its supposed to be sci-fi, but it's the dullest most cliched of daytime soap operas, and a really terrible one at that. After four episodes I could not care less if any of the main characters survive and I have absolutely no interest in watching any more of their melodramas. The plot moves at a slow motion snails pace. It is just so dreary and dull. There are minutes upon minutes of absolutely NOTHING happening. Lingering shots going on for minutes of people looking in the mirror, lingering shots of peoples feet. Yes they actually have the audacity to film people putting their socks on as an extended take and then a long lingering shot of the feet walking across the room and stopping. Riveting. How Apple released this hollow TV show I will never know. In four episodes they have about half an episodes worth of content. I would say to avoid this like the plague, it is NOTHING like the misleading advert. Expand
6 of 6 users found this helpful60
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1
tdebugNov 6, 2021
This isn't an invasion movie. The name is very misleading and act as a clickbait. Maybe very distantly remind of a global catastrophe movie. Mainly it is a very boring drama, about some random people, about whom you know absolutely nothing.This isn't an invasion movie. The name is very misleading and act as a clickbait. Maybe very distantly remind of a global catastrophe movie. Mainly it is a very boring drama, about some random people, about whom you know absolutely nothing. Really empty TV series.
This is what happens if you have a poor script barely enough for a 80 min movie, but you need to make a series.
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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2
teatomJun 1, 2022
I managed to watch five and a half episodes before just giving up.
It's just dull.
The entire show is "Character development" but the characters are all one dimensional cliches, despite the fact that we spend hours on their story and about
I managed to watch five and a half episodes before just giving up.
It's just dull.
The entire show is "Character development" but the characters are all one dimensional cliches, despite the fact that we spend hours on their story and about 10-15 seconds per episode mentioning the alien invasion.
It also feels extremely uncomfortable sitting through most of the dialogue (which doesn't seem to actually come from the characters, but instead from the writer, which is why these characters never really develop) because it seems to be 90% focussed on divorce, bad marriage, the effects of break ups on kids, etc. It's relentless.
I get that the creator was almost certainly going through a divorce at the time but when people say "write what you know" they donn't mean, "project your depression on to all your characters, even if it destroys what you're making".
In short, a dull, character driven soap opera, with characters that are not likeable enough to hold the interest of anyone.
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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0
LunaticInkDec 4, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This has to be the worst thing on any streaming service right now. It’s even worse than Foundation, which is saying something. Someone called it trite and that’s a good word for it. The acting is ridiculously bad, the script riddled with tired tropes and cliches, and the aliens comically rendered. I have watched every single episode out of sheer morbid curiosity. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, they surprise you. I think the astronaut “swimming” through space was the most hilarious thing I’ve seen. Do yourself a favor and go watch The 100 or any other moronic YA adaptation before watching this CW reject. Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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3
nhand42Jan 17, 2022
These people are so stupid I was rooting for the aliens.

PS: if you're hiding in an attic from aliens, stop talking.
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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3
thedarkbirdDec 15, 2021
The problem with this show is the writing. There's an alien invasion but a couple is more occupied with their marriage problems? Someone is in a state of shock in a bus full of doctors but somehow none of them are noticing? A teacher is dyingThe problem with this show is the writing. There's an alien invasion but a couple is more occupied with their marriage problems? Someone is in a state of shock in a bus full of doctors but somehow none of them are noticing? A teacher is dying but the bully of the class keeps on bullying? Aliens are in the house but people hiding find it the perfect opportunity to start a loud argument? This series is so full of unrealistic, annoying, tiring, pathetic human behaviour that by the time you are through you'd wish the aliens had wiped the planet clean. Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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2
tuna_no_crustsJul 11, 2022
If you have been looking for a show that makes you hate every single character, you’ve found it. Every character story, with exception of the sheriff in EP1, will slowly drive you towards madness. What could have been a decently producedIf you have been looking for a show that makes you hate every single character, you’ve found it. Every character story, with exception of the sheriff in EP1, will slowly drive you towards madness. What could have been a decently produced alien survival story is watered down to social commentary. And it doesn’t even do that well. Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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2
ScotterMonkeyNov 13, 2021
A bit more jump-scare directing tactics than I prefer to endure. Worse was the way characters behaved and spoke; unrealistic in the extreme. Our heroine/mom is the best example of this. Also, why is everyone so emotionally fragile?
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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0
shektDec 4, 2021
There's a void in space. You can't "swim" through space with a breaststroke. It's not just the sci-fi that's bad. You'll dislike the characters you're supposed to be sympathizing for. No, you'll despise their boring cliched flatness. You'llThere's a void in space. You can't "swim" through space with a breaststroke. It's not just the sci-fi that's bad. You'll dislike the characters you're supposed to be sympathizing for. No, you'll despise their boring cliched flatness. You'll be rooting hard for the aliens to end them. This is hard to watch. You have much better ways to spend your time.

I've never written a metacritic review before. The badness of this show inspired me to sign up. Because this kind of bad television is an existential risk to our species.
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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1
BobbySandsDec 12, 2021
I suffered through the whole series so you don't have to. To say this was like watching paint dry would undersell watching paint dry. All I can say, avoid!
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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2
espen42Nov 29, 2021
Nothing wrong with focusing on human relations and consequences to society when faced with an unknown threat. Keeping that threat mostly unknown and unseen can even add to the suspense. But then it's up to the human side of the story to relayNothing wrong with focusing on human relations and consequences to society when faced with an unknown threat. Keeping that threat mostly unknown and unseen can even add to the suspense. But then it's up to the human side of the story to relay that emotion. That didn't even come close to working here. Frustrating, annoying, cliched, lazy writing. Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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2
hotsnailMar 21, 2022
Great actors, nice idea, huge budget and complete blunder.

The series follows the lives of people during an alien invasion. In the beginning this constant switching of four lines brings dynamism and tension. As the series progress all of the
Great actors, nice idea, huge budget and complete blunder.

The series follows the lives of people during an alien invasion. In the beginning this constant switching of four lines brings dynamism and tension. As the series progress all of the lines loose speed. Watching the last two episodes requires extraordinary dedication and even the highly predictable surprise finale cannot save the series.

Watching episodes after 5 is complete waste of time.
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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4
Lord-XaffaxNov 5, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Yep! They actually let somebody swim in space...So forget about science, know that its coming to soften the blow, and look at it as Horror/fantasy/drama. Then still it doesn't stand out, where with a little better writing it could have. The evil aliens are run of the mill and not very special. The characters are one dimensional and rather flat and they do not really develop but in the most predictable way.There are plenty of ways they could have made things a little spicier but they never seem to want to go there.That makes it all very average. Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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4
ozymandias79Oct 26, 2021
Trying to wade through all the drama to get to the meat of this show, the actual invasion. If things don't get interesting soon, it's a pass.
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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4
FindwritersJun 16, 2023
I have gone neutral on this rather than negative only because this series has two redeeming features that are praiseworthy - a) the acting which is generally excellent and b) the production, which is technically brilliant albeit with oneI have gone neutral on this rather than negative only because this series has two redeeming features that are praiseworthy - a) the acting which is generally excellent and b) the production, which is technically brilliant albeit with one major caveat.

Apart from that, it is an unmitigated disaster in terms of scriptwriting.

Plenty of other reviewers have mentioned this. Essentially, this is a series of not-very-interesting interpersonal relationship dramas as the mainline story with the alien invasion providing little more than some backdrop scenery. It remains an ongoing mystery why production companies do this. For heaven's sake, if you want to make a series about personal relationships then by all means do so. However, if you brand something as Sci-Fi then make the bulk of your story and mainline plot about that!!!! Why is this seemingly so difficult for so many writers and producers to grasp these days?

By all means, use sub-plots. Equally, some background detail on the characters is useful to pad them out and make them real. However, those two components together should constitute perhaps 10-15% of the storyline. In this mess, it feels like the inter-personal stuff takes up about 75% of the time available for the story to progress.

The answer is presumably cost reduction. To have two characters spending 10 minutes talking about their past lives is I assume a lot cheaper than filming on location. Yet when all this is said and done - THIS IS BORING AND ANNOYING!!!! Frankly, the characters aren't interesting enough for people to care about and it's not even well written.

The next major failing is the cut-and-paste into the script of tropes that are 50 years past their sell-by date. Once again, presumably attributable to cost reduction, as one doesn't have to pay decent writers to cut script but simply glue into place pre-packaged drivel.

Let's examine them here.....we have the:

Trope 1 subplot - the all-American dysfunctional family with a husband-wife about to split and the obligatory 2 precocious brat young children who run around saying "I love you Mommy" at every opportunity shortly before doing something so incredibly stupid that it endangers everyone's life. At least this time they were missing the usually mandatory dog that takes over in trying to kill everyone when the kids are otherwise occupied. Oh yes, don't forget the "right kids, it's desperately dangerous, so I'm going to leave you alone while I go off and engage in a meaningless discussion about personal issues elsewhere. Please don't go anywhere". Yeah, right.

You'll be stunned to know that events start to force the couple back together. Try to suppress a yawn if you can. Who on Earth do the writers think this sort of stuff is going to interest?

Trope 2 subplot - the bunch of younger (this time British for novelty) teenagers, one of whom saves everyone with magic powers branded with a pseudo-science explanation for respectability's sake. OK, leaving aside they miraculously survive unharmed a bus crash that would certainly have killed all of them instantly, we're then subjected to lots of inter-personal discussion about essentially their relationships.

Once again, who are the writers aiming this at? Teenagers know what it's like to be one and adults can remember. So why do we need to see all this? Is it aimed at toddlers?

Trope 3 subplot - the grizzled US soldier or marine who also has a marriage on the rocks. He's going to get home to his family from Afghanistan whatever it takes. Cue lots of emotional phone calls and square-jaw determination.

Does nobody anywhere in a script anymore have a 'normal' husband-wife and family relationship that is at least predominantly happy? These I believe are still the vast majority, so why are they invisible in modern drama?

Trope 4 subplot - the same-sex relationship that's hidden due to society's prejudices etc etc etc. Now here, I'll concede that the exploration of this personal relationship in Japan IS relevant because it is directly linked to the story and its outcome. So, no problem there in theory.

However, it is over-dwelt on and is sickly-sweet. Far too long is spent on it too and I fail to see the necessity of introducing one of the partners' fathers just to add to the emotional and relationship burden that is swamping the plot. Still, the writers held off introducing several third cousins twice removed and lengthy explanations about their backgrounds, so I suppose we should be grateful. I was very surprised to see there is a series II to this. I hope against all expectations some of these catastrophic writing flaws will have been addressed.

The caveat about production - why oh why is so much of the shooting done in near darkness again? Trying to pick out what's happening in the gloom isn't fun and it's a massively outdated technique these days.
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3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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1
JoeyGDec 10, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A very poorly written, poorly paced, and poorly acted show. The “invasion” is just a backdrop for a group of mostly unconnected stories, with characters that make it difficult to care about. All the races, creeds and sexual orientations are represented, as you’d imagine. The whole thing is an equality box ticking exercise. I usually enjoy shows that are “deep”, but this just isn’t. Superficial nonsense. The most realistic part was in the final episode, with people in England celebrating by getting drunk, shouting and hitting the alien corpses with baseball bats. A standard weekend there.
Avoid this. Check out the excellent “Foundation” show instead.
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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2
max1cSep 5, 2023
Lack of diversity and female privilege are too strong with this one. Don't waste your time.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
metacritiqueurAug 25, 2023
Continuez la grève, vous ne faites que de la daube. L'IA fera bien mieux ...
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
julesyBaby5000Oct 28, 2021
By far the most boring invasion I’ve ever seen. 3 episodes down and what a snooze. I almost feel click baited on this one. Super disappointed.
9 of 10 users found this helpful91
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3
scribner8Nov 10, 2021
Pros: really good visuals. That’s it. I was very disappointed with this show because it looked so good and I love the alien invasion genre but other than good visuals I have a hard time coming up with anything positive about it. The acting isPros: really good visuals. That’s it. I was very disappointed with this show because it looked so good and I love the alien invasion genre but other than good visuals I have a hard time coming up with anything positive about it. The acting is bad but it’s also hard to blame the actors because the writing is so bad. It takes itself way too seriously for how cheesy and how riddled it is with every cliche you could imagine from a 90s sci-fi action flick. In fact if you were to tell me this was written in the 90s by someone fresh out of college and was finally bought by Apple for cheap and then turned into a show without any additional editing I would believe you. Expand
5 of 6 users found this helpful51
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0
hitzestauNov 15, 2021
Watched 2 episodes and decided not to watch any more. Boring storytelling and very poor characterization, no one is interesting or relevant enough for me as a viewer to want to continue watching. Too bad about Sam Neil, whose name wasWatched 2 episodes and decided not to watch any more. Boring storytelling and very poor characterization, no one is interesting or relevant enough for me as a viewer to want to continue watching. Too bad about Sam Neil, whose name was probably only used to promote the first episode. But even his role is without meaning or significance. Too bad, because good sci-fi series are rare. The storytelling of Invasion fits well into the AppleTV+ scheme: slow, boring, and no relevant characters that viewers can relate to. Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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0
marco34laOct 24, 2021
Jeez another TV series that gets so caught up in diversifying the cast, that it ends up with a mish mosh of characters, that no one cares about or relates to. When producers and show runners get back to casting characters for their abilitiesJeez another TV series that gets so caught up in diversifying the cast, that it ends up with a mish mosh of characters, that no one cares about or relates to. When producers and show runners get back to casting characters for their abilities - not their ethnicity - then perhaps they'll spend more time on honing in on the story instead of worrying about being so politically correct that they forget what the heck they set out to do. Such a colossal waste. Expand
7 of 10 users found this helpful73
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2
ChancewiNov 3, 2021
Turned it off the minute that the Japanese Astronaut opened her mouth to say "only a woman can fix that right". I turned it off. NO ONE TALKS LIKE THAT IN REAL LIFE. Only a SJW will write something so stupid. A real person would sayTurned it off the minute that the Japanese Astronaut opened her mouth to say "only a woman can fix that right". I turned it off. NO ONE TALKS LIKE THAT IN REAL LIFE. Only a SJW will write something so stupid. A real person would say something like "Thanks, really appreciate you fixing that", or "Thank You". SO DUMB. Expand
6 of 11 users found this helpful65
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10
ZiggingZebraNov 7, 2021
The problem with Invasion is that it doesn’t tell its viewers that the “invasion” is just a vehicle for a number of dramatic, albeit cliche, scenarios to play within. Some may say that that it’s terrible that a show about an alien invasionThe problem with Invasion is that it doesn’t tell its viewers that the “invasion” is just a vehicle for a number of dramatic, albeit cliche, scenarios to play within. Some may say that that it’s terrible that a show about an alien invasion would have so much familial drama intertwined, however, I just call it unique. I’m not going to say I would or wouldn’t prefer if it wasn’t just your typical invasion story. If all you want it an alien show, this is not the show for you. There are way too many elements in here to scratch that itch for alien content. Another potential turn-off for some could be that the story-telling isn’t so much linear as it can be jarring from time to time, jumping from one of several concurrent storylines to another. What happens on-screen isn’t so complex that each little story is hard to follow, you may just find yourself more invested in one of the stories and be left on a mini cliffhanger until the end of the current episode or the next episode. It can be grating at times, but as a person who has been watching Degrassi since the age of eleven or so, I’m not only used to this type of storytelling, I like it. So, in the end, I don’t think it’s difficult to like this show; you just have to be open to ingesting more drama than you’re probably used to, given the title of the show. Happy watching! Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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6
UncleWillardNov 26, 2021
I don't hate it, but I get the criticism I've seen. Unless there's a big connective plot denouement, there are some loose ass plot lines. Otherwise, if this is all world building and there's a plan for it to come together, I'm intrigued.

So
I don't hate it, but I get the criticism I've seen. Unless there's a big connective plot denouement, there are some loose ass plot lines. Otherwise, if this is all world building and there's a plan for it to come together, I'm intrigued.

So far the doctor is my favorite character. Her husband seems like a douche, and she's not only wrestling her weird son, but an alien invasion. Actress is great. I've seen her in a few things, but she's good at capturing all these conflicting plotlines for her character.

Worst character is the Navy SEAL. No professional would act so stupid. Who comes to a foreign base and just says "I'm a Navy SEAL give me what I want and do what I tell you?" No real SEAL would act so unprofessional. He seems like he's never even seen combat and had no discipline.

And what did they do with Sam Neill? He was there, then poof!
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1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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8
ethaneidoNov 18, 2021
While it is true it is a slow paced show, it is also, for once, putting the human connections and feelings and substories to the front. If you are looking for an all out war alien show, this won't be it. Honestly, this is the closest thingWhile it is true it is a slow paced show, it is also, for once, putting the human connections and feelings and substories to the front. If you are looking for an all out war alien show, this won't be it. Honestly, this is the closest thing you could get to a real invasion, because we are not all super soldiers capable of destroying an entire army of aliens with far more advanced technology. Expand
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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9
matt2366Oct 26, 2021
The show is starting out with character development and moving into the Invasion itself. Using the the same beginning Jaws did where there is a calm before the storm.
1 of 6 users found this helpful15
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8
clementeOct 28, 2021
Among the large number of politically correct dramas pushing the same trite ideas down our throats, over and over, this one, at least, shows clear signs of a well-written script and a capable director.
1 of 8 users found this helpful17
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7
OzimandeusNov 16, 2021
It's above average (but the average SciFi is never very good), and suffers from the current trend of trying to make Walking Dead, without the Dead. Some interesting if not over done stories are here, but overall 'OK'.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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5
eva3si0nMar 17, 2022
Invasion is a series that showed everything interesting in the trailer. Series about an alien invasion - where the invasion begins in the middle of the season. The peculiarity of the series is to show as realistic as possible the invasionInvasion is a series that showed everything interesting in the trailer. Series about an alien invasion - where the invasion begins in the middle of the season. The peculiarity of the series is to show as realistic as possible the invasion itself and the meeting with extraterrestrial life. But everything is served so dull and protracted, which causes longing. Another downside is the division into several storylines plot. Most of these storylines crumble and only the storyline about Japanese is impressive. Invasion is beautiful, but stupid and boring. I don't know what will happen in season 2, but the first clearly failed. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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9
ZONEWULFNov 15, 2021
This show is an invasion from an entire different perspective. They story keeps you wondering and idk how people rating it low when it’s not even have way through the season
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
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6
mattarnold008Jan 5, 2022
Invasion is a mixed bag. The music, animation and locations are diverse and stunning. The plot moves along at a good pace and there are some gritty and jumpy moments. Some of the characters are super cool and interesting and have actualInvasion is a mixed bag. The music, animation and locations are diverse and stunning. The plot moves along at a good pace and there are some gritty and jumpy moments. Some of the characters are super cool and interesting and have actual stories that don't have ridiculous actions like the kids in England and the soldier in Afganistan. The thing that lets down in Invasion is that some characters are constantly crying, constantly being stupid/allowing their children to be stupid and saying the most cringe things(the Mom and the Japanese lady) Also, at the end it's quite ridiculous in how people emerge from this 'Invasion'Slightly above average but nothing to write home about. Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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8
MaulcunDec 11, 2021
I loved the slow pacing and the way the story is told. It’s new and different. This series is focused on character development and individual stories. How people would behave if their world was turned upside down.

The invasion happens
I loved the slow pacing and the way the story is told. It’s new and different. This series is focused on character development and individual stories. How people would behave if their world was turned upside down.

The invasion happens realistically, the aliens are hidden, almost invisible and when they briefly appear they are incomprehensible in our eyes. This show is painted towards an audience who enjoy suspense and mystery. One of my favs! I absolutely loved season 1.
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0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
p3ruAug 8, 2023
A show that follows a whole range of themes. For once not the usual suspense, with a lot of good ideas about what can go wrong and how people "work". Actually more of a drama series with sci-fi elements.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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0
KinikuSep 9, 2023
Our earth is being invaded! But let's put that possible end of the world on hold for a Japanese woman girl on girl sex scene.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
StanBlackSep 9, 2023
when I start watching an american SciFi series, I want to see FANTASY show. I don't want to watch some 'p00ssy-suffering' of some Iranians, Japanese lesbians and similar crap for 50 minutes per episode, which is 55 minutes, and only 5 minuteswhen I start watching an american SciFi series, I want to see FANTASY show. I don't want to watch some 'p00ssy-suffering' of some Iranians, Japanese lesbians and similar crap for 50 minutes per episode, which is 55 minutes, and only 5 minutes per episode - something fantastic. I see that Apple is very fond of people who are not caucasians, but when it creates series where the vast majority are black, and white people only have the roles of criminals or on the second or third plans, then I have big questions about this company and the shows it produces. I don't want to look again and again at Iranians, Indians, etc. on an american (!) show just because someone embodies the politics of diversity. if i want to watch indian movie, i will choose India movie to watch!
p.s. I'm not racist, never have been, but you've already got people with this agenda!
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
PoormoviecriticSep 11, 2023
Don’t waste your time on this trash. It’s typical Apple TV+ filler of their crappy streaming service.

The alien invasion is secondary to a pseudo soap opera drama. Some glaring issues with the sorry ass excuse for a plot line you’ll not
Don’t waste your time on this trash. It’s typical Apple TV+ filler of their crappy streaming service.

The alien invasion is secondary to a pseudo soap opera drama. Some glaring issues with the sorry ass excuse for a plot line you’ll not forget.

Untrained medical graduate somehow can perform surgery. When they actually remove the alien parasite, it’s simply written off. No discussion, no reason as to why the patient was dying because of it.

Then you have the creepy ortho guy hitting on the Indian character non stop. Awful. The kids survive a bus crash, somehow scale a 50ft wall then half the class is left on an abandoned chocolate truck. When the kids that flee get help, they completely forget about their classmates. Somehow an aircraft can get from Kabul to London without air traffic control and radar and guidance. Honestly the marine is probably the weakest acting there is. By the time he gets to London, they should have just killed him off.

The worse of the worse is the Japanese lesbian storyline. You have this moronic woman who can’t fathom the world is ending and everyone is dying but is hell bent on rescuing her lover who must have pulled a leia skywalker BS undead move. It’s utterly infuriating they way they write this shallow boring character and shove it down your throat. If the aliens don’t win, humanity is doomed being survived by this remnant.
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