Outlaw

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 15, 2010
Metascore
36

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 23
  3. Negative: 11 out of 23
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Critic Reviews

  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    30
    There's not a hint of logic in the procedural aspect of the show. The development and the resolution of tonight's case, in which a man on death row is trying to prove he isn't a cop killer, represent the sloppiest, most factory-like TV writing there is. And there's not much realism afoot, either.
  2. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    30
    However you view it--mediocre "House" rip-off, improbable law show or "Like Father, Like Son 2: Judicial Boogaloo"--you have to like Jimmy Smits an awful lot to make Outlaw a Friday appointment. I'm as devoted an "NYPD Blue" fan as they come, and even I'm not willing to make that leap.
  3. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    30
    Outlaw is as absurdly plotted as too many movies, providing the basis for some two-hour ride that moves along fast enough to keep viewers from noticing the trucks whizzing through holes in the story. You need more than that for a weekly series. You need characters you can believe in.
  5. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    30
    TV needs a lot of fodder to fill the schedule, but junk like Outlaw should be outlawed, with a special-circumstances punishment for completely wasting as fine a talent as Jimmy Smits.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    30
    All of Jimmy Smits' considerable charisma can't come close to making a convincing case for Outlaw, a jaw-droppingly simple-minded legal procedural that's improbable on most every level.
  7. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    25
    So it will continue to be ludicrous. And that's without mentioning the predictability, cliches like kryptonite and emotional pandering. Here's hoping next season, Smits gets to play a cop again.
  8. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    25
    Not content to simply be stupid, Outlaw is more than a little insulting.
  9. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    20
    NBC's new Jimmy Smits vehicle is called Outlaw. I guess the title 'Contrived, Irritating Star Vehicle' just wasn't as catchy.
  10. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    10
    Silly, hackneyed and suffering from a lethal overdose of Hollywood political smugness, it's the biggest lawyer joke of all.
  11. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    10
    The show is so ludicrously dumb that your eyeballs will hurt from rolling so much.
  12. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    0
    NBC's idiotic drama, Outlaw, is so bad it should be listed as a Class A felony.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Most Discussed TV Season of 2010
70
#70 Most Shared TV Season of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 7 out of 18
  1. BigLargeMan
    Sep 18, 2010
    0
    I taped the first episode on my DVR and although I've never done this before, I actually stopped watching 15 or 20 minutes in, deleted it, andI taped the first episode on my DVR and although I've never done this before, I actually stopped watching 15 or 20 minutes in, deleted it, and deleted the timer to record future episodes. I'm a big Jimmy Smits fan and although the show is clearly geared towards a more liberal audience than me (that has never bothered me before), it was the ridiculous premise, character set-up, and acting that turned me off. Avoid this show. You won't be missing much as I doubt it will be around long.… Full Review »
  2. HarleyGuy
    Sep 23, 2011
    10
    Interesting court and law series - likely to appeal to viewers interested in justice prevailing over law. Anyone that enjoyed "The West Wing"Interesting court and law series - likely to appeal to viewers interested in justice prevailing over law. Anyone that enjoyed "The West Wing" might enjoy this series.… Full Review »
  3. francismhwhite
    Apr 10, 2011
    8
    I have to say that I am nothing short of perplexity over this shows reviews! I saw once review state that due to the shows violation toI have to say that I am nothing short of perplexity over this shows reviews! I saw once review state that due to the shows violation to "tenets" of storytelling, it should be thrown in the clink. Since when is out of the box thinking a crime in creativity?!? For such a new show the writing was quite entertaining. My favorite shows on TV are "Criminal Minds" and 'The Mentalist', both of these shows as compared to there pilot have developed immensely! This series touched on moral conflict, government corruption, and provoked emotion. Last I checked the best way for a production to be entertaining is for it to make you feel something. They made you feel with winning against the odds, and when you least expected it with a loss of a case which resulted in the death of a sick child. It was said more than once that the supporting characters need to develop more personality to match the character of Justice Garza, a pleasantly imperfect hero I might add. WHY?!? His character is suppose to be the strong one leading the personalities that can only aspire to be as profound as him! I would give this series no less than an eight out of ten rating with potential to be a ten. And I am disappointed in the loss of the chance to see more due to the unshared opinion of the masses.… Full Review »
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