Life Unexpected

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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Critic Reviews

  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    60
    CW shows tend to walk a thin line between escapism and soap opera, and after its witty pilot the show spends Episodes 2 and 3 massaging the tear ducts, hard. But there is the potential for something at least as good as “Gilmore Girls."
  2. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    58
    The cast has major potential, but Life Unexpected still needs to find an original and compelling voice.
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    50
    Robertson is a find. She capably plays both Lux's world-weary, snarky attitude and her vulnerability. She's a large part of what makes Life Unexpected a minor delight, even if its charms are entirely expected.
  5. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    50
    Unfortunately, Life Unexpected took all of the schmaltz of "Gilmore Girls" and expanded it several hundred times over, forgetting to insert any of the quirk and only a smidge of the smart banter.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    50
    Despite its modest merits, Life ultimately spends most of its time paddling in the shallow end of the dramatic gene pool.
  7. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    40
    The connections are sudden, relationships shallow, and dialogue glib.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best TV Season of 2010
89
#89 Most Discussed TV Season of 2010
81
#81 Most Shared TV Season of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 4 out of 39
  1. Paul
    Jan 20, 2010
    1
    Unwatchable soap opera nonsense meant to fool the very young who haven't seen it ALL before. Everything is a writer's manipulation. Unwatchable soap opera nonsense meant to fool the very young who haven't seen it ALL before. Everything is a writer's manipulation. The teen's name is Lux. (Means light, get it? Funny how her name isn't, say, Verbose. Look it up, kids.) And the couple who will raise her are radio talk show hosts, so they can display the angst both off AND on the air. Oh, goody! Couldn't last through more than 20 minutes of this phony nonsense. I feel for Shiri Appleby, who deserve's MUCH better. It's a shame when your real life drama makes less sense than your Sci-Fi drama. Why don't reviewers just tell the truth and review these shows with 2 words: CW soap. That's all they need to say.… Full Review »
  2. annieshannon54
    May 1, 2019
    0
    Lux is really the reason why their is always a problem. Yeah she was in foster care, that isn't what any child wants, but now she finally hasLux is really the reason why their is always a problem. Yeah she was in foster care, that isn't what any child wants, but now she finally has a family and all she does is lies. She's honestly annoying and thinks the world revolves around her. I know she is the way she is because she didn't grow up with parents, but the least she could is stop lying to everyone and just tell the truth. All the lies and excuses she comes up with is getting really old for the show.… Full Review »
  3. 1975Supra
    Apr 4, 2012
    10
    A heart-warming, if not sometimes heart-wrenching, show with an on-screen chemistry between the actors that has not been seen in a TV seriesA heart-warming, if not sometimes heart-wrenching, show with an on-screen chemistry between the actors that has not been seen in a TV series for a long-time. Cut off in it's prime by CW with the season 2 finale showing the leaps made to wrap the series from the previous episode. A missed opportunity for at least 2 further series. Britt Robertson is an actress to watch out for in the coming years alongside Kristoffer Polaha ( a fairly new face to UK TV ).… Full Review »
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