Lodge 49

:

Season 1
  • Network: AMC
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 6, 2018
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

  1. Collider
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Aug 6, 2018
    60
    Lodge 49 is funny, occasionally dark, and very unique, but beyond that, it’s hard to define. Whatever it is, it’s certainly different. And worth the journey.
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    Aug 6, 2018
    60
    It meanders and takes a while to get to the point, and even when it gets there, sometimes the point still seems muddled. But it earns credit for embracing its weirdness and being unlike practically any other show that’s currently on TV.
  3. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Aug 6, 2018
    58
    Lodge 49 ends up wasting its enticing and peculiar premise in a light, plodding story. It’s the kind of freshman entry that could grow into something special, but you’d have to have Dud’s availability and demeanor to get there.
  5. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Aug 6, 2018
    58
    Lodge 49 is different. That alone isn’t enough reason to book a visit.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Caroline Framke
    Jul 16, 2018
    50
    It’s not necessarily a problem that the show’s supporting characters are by and large better than its main protagonist; if it were, easily 85 percent of shows would be at a disadvantage. The real problem is that Dud isn’t nearly as fascinating as Lodge 49 thinks he is.
  7. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Aug 6, 2018
    40
    Too much of Lodge 49 feels almost defiantly undercooked, like it’s trying too hard to capture a laidback SoCal vibe and purposefully avoiding structure and momentum. With so much television out there that even critics can’t keep up with all of it, there’s just not a compelling enough reason to check into Lodge 49.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best TV Season of 2018
26
#26 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. metabad
    Aug 9, 2018
    6
    The show is mainly about a sympathetic looser named Dud who is a former surfer but after getting bitten in the foot by a snake in NicaraguaThe show is mainly about a sympathetic looser named Dud who is a former surfer but after getting bitten in the foot by a snake in Nicaragua can't surf anymore.
    He has become a slacker sleeping in his car or, illegally, in apartments that are up for rent.
    Since he has no steady income he is in debt to the local pawn shop and is constantly trying to get some money from somewhere (e.g. on the beach with a metal detector) to pay it back.
    He often crashes at his sister's apartment. She works at a local diner trying to pay off the debt of their father who died a year ago surfing/diving.
    Or better, most likely died since his body was never found.
    Dud can't accept his fathers death, often having daydreams and seeing his father while looking into the water of a swimming pool.
    One day, he digs up a ring on the beach and tries to sell it at the pawn shop.
    It isn't worth anything but at least he is told that it's a membership ring for a local lodge.

    One day he accidentally ends up in front of it, so he wants to give the ring back. Since Dud is curious about the interior of the lodge, the man in charge, Ernie, shows him around.
    Dud decides to become a member and sells a watch, probably from his father, to pay the membership fee.

    All the members he encounters are likeable and relatable and you become invested in their lives.
    Dud and Ernie, though very different in character and age, become friends.

    There is a main plot-line about the succession of the old leader of the lodge but some of the members get their own little stories.
    One other plot-line involves Duds sister getting a chance to move up to corporate and become an executive.

    You get the feeling you're part of a bigger story about people being in a not so great place moving forward slowly, growing and developing.
    There are some twists and turns in later episodes you won't expect and one you might expect, making the trip a bumpy ride with characters having setbacks, one involving self sabotage.
    So the personal development of the main characters moves forward slower than you expect.

    Since you are invested in the characters and like them, it's an entertaining watch.
    However, what I didn't like about the show is, that towards the end, other characters get more screen time showing you their stories leading to too many plot-lines and making the show feel scattered.

    Another issue I have with the show is the season's finale.
    I think at best, you'll be ok with it, but I don't think you'll like it.

    I find it disappointing and unsatisfying because it leaves too many things unresolved.
    If the network decides to pick up the show for a second season, fine.
    But if not, which has happened often enough and you watched the first season, you might come to the conclusion that you've wasted your time.    … Full Review »
  2. reactionfilms
    Sep 11, 2018
    10
    Great show! It's a wonderful example of a show that has a big impact despite being a little show.

    I loved "Casual" on Hulu because the    Great show! It's a wonderful example of a show that has a big impact despite being a little show.

    I loved "Casual" on Hulu because the characters were relatable, this is the same kind of show. I also grew up in a Lodge environment, so I find the show fascinating because of all the idiosyncrasies of the Lodge and it's odd members.

    I think the most fascinating part of the show is the dark vs. light aspect taken on by the main character Dud and his sister. When the show starts you might think dud is just another California loser. But it's interesting to watch him reveal why he's making the choice to stay optimistic when he has no reason to be. His sister takes the less optimistic approach, grounded in her debt and contempt for their missing (dead?) father, whom disappeared during a surfing trip off Long Beach.

    The ensemble cast is amazingly cast. Every character has a purpose and adds to the plot and humor of the story. Some of the best casts are smaller roles that the actors were able to really make the most of. The highlights include Brian Doyle-Murray as a pipe saleman who takes all the credit from Ernie and gives to an undeserving but beautiful employee appropriately named "Beautiful Jeff", as well as a great multi-episode cameo by none other than Bruce Campbell.

    Lodge 49 finds humor in the dark side of life while still treating it and the audience with respect and intelligence. It's well written characters and the actors engaging performances keep leading you back to the lodge.

    At one point Ernie says people "always go looking for unicorns when we’ve got rhinos. A rhinoceros is a fascinating animal. All this fascinating stuff right here in front of us. Screw unicorns, man.”

    We have Lodge 49, and a great rhino it is.    … Full Review »
  3. shoulderoforion
    Aug 21, 2018
    7
    This has some My Name Is Earl baked into it, an a sprinkling of The Big Lebowski, but don't let that get you too excited, it's more boringThis has some My Name Is Earl baked into it, an a sprinkling of The Big Lebowski, but don't let that get you too excited, it's more boring than both. What this show did surprise me with, is in the charterers writing, which is (baring the metaphysical aspects) as close to real people living real lives in real situations, as you will see ever on Television. I binged all the the episode in a day. I'd more than likely watch a next season should they put on out, though I'd have to say it's doubtful they will.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »