• Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 20, 2002
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Negative: 1 out of 22

Critic Reviews

  1. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Aaron Barnhart
    Feb 24, 2013
    90
    Compelling. [20 Sept 2002, p.E1]
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Howard Rosenberg
    Feb 24, 2013
    90
    Highly arresting. [20 Sept 2002, p.C1]
  3. Reviewed by: Adam Buckman
    Feb 24, 2013
    88
    If they can maintain that level of intelligence, then John Doe stands a chance of becoming the kind of special series - like "The Fugitive" and "The Prisoner" - that people will talk about for years to come.
  4. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Phil Rosenthal
    Feb 24, 2013
    88
    The shrewd thing about John Doe is that it uses its fantasy element as an addition, not a substitute for interesting characters and good storytelling. At its heart, this is just a mystery show with a twist. [20 Sept 2002, p.46]
  5. Dallas Morning News
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Feb 24, 2013
    83
    It's an inventive, affecting and sometimes amusing hour. [20 Sept 2002, p.6C]
  6. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Feb 24, 2013
    80
    Watching him color in the lines of his own personality is fascinating. [19 Sept 2002]
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Caryn James
    Feb 24, 2013
    80
    As forced as its concept seems, John Doe is alluring because it flows so easily from humor to drama then back again and because Dominic Purcell's smooth performance as John is perfectly in tune with that fluid style. [20 Sept 2002, p.E26]
  8. Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Feb 24, 2013
    75
    Friday's opener is intriguing, but shows such as Doe have a habit of collapsing quickly — usually because the rules governing the hero's behavior bend and stretch to suit the needs of the writers.
  9. Deseret News
    Reviewed by: Scott D. Pierce
    Feb 24, 2013
    70
    Both intriguing and very iffy. It's all going to depend on how good a job the writers do in making this mystery work over the long haul. If they follow the "X-Files" example of one-step-forward, one-step-back, this could get old quickly. [20 Sept 2002, p.C08]
  10. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Feb 24, 2013
    70
    When Doe is just exploring the depth and breadth of his great brain - playing a virtuoso rendition of "My Funny Valentine," showing off for a crowd of library patrons - John Doe feels like a show that a lot of people may want to get to know. [19 Sept 2002]
  11. Reviewed by: Phil Gallo
    Feb 24, 2013
    70
    It's so stylishly executed, with Mimi Leder's direction, a crisp script and magnetic lead by Dominic Purcell, that the John Doe indeed has a solid identity.
  12. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    Feb 24, 2013
    63
    Certainly, Dominic Purcell creates quite a presence as this man of mystery. [20 Sept 2002, p.1]