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. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    58
    This series will require better scripts than the death-penalty pilot one, and those kids will have to establish personalities vivid enough to hold the screen with Smits' powerful one.
  2. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    50
    Outlaw isn't bad as much as bogus. The whole faulty premise creaks and groans under the weight of a now-you-see-it-now-you-don't shell game, as key plot points zip by, then are quickly tucked back under their shell in the vain hope you won't remember them, or maybe take them at face value.
  3. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    50
    Smits is breezily bold, but the show feels fussy--flushed out with "interesting" details and characters. [20 Sep 2010l p.54]
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  5. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    50
    Prepare yourself for preachiness in the third degree. Mr. Smits went to Washington, and now is sharing his moral righteousness with the rest of us.
  6. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    50
    Like so many plot turns in Outlaw, this one is too convenient, too silly, and not a little audacious. It helps that the show knows it.
  7. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    42
    This show violates so many tenets of storytelling, it deserves to be tossed in the clink. Outlaw is about as entertaining as a legal brief on the case of Wall v. Paint Drying.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    40
    An impatience with subtlety is one of the problems with the first episode of Outlaw--the plot points and the performances are overblown, too obvious and too cute.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    40
    From "thinking aloud" scenes in which the team tosses around a Nerf football to a most unfortunate series of conversations between Garza and his law clerk, the only thing that makes Outlaw unique in a swollen genre is its ability to trip over its own feet so early on.
  10. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    40
    Despite a first-rate performance from Smits and a smart, sharp cast, the show stumbles over a clumsy setup from which, alas, it may be difficult to recover.
  11. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    40
    If you're able to get past the ridiculous premise--and, admittedly, I was not --Outlaw still suffers from other problems, including two-dimensional supporting characters.
  12. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    40
    It could work with better writing and a more grounded characterization, but instead the show just lurches between tones, and the lead performance, between Smits having a lark as a rascally rebel and Smits in high-dudgeon mode

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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