Perry Mason (2020)

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 21, 2020
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 65
  3. Negative: 19 out of 65
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User Reviews

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  1. SimboTheKing
    Mar 14, 2023
    7
    Overall, a pretty good detective drama. On the surface, it doesn't deviate that much from others but the plot is strong and the overall direction kept me compelled to keep watching it. Nothing felt too contrived or coincidental which can sometimes sink mystery dramas.

    Matthew Rhys is good in the lead role, although I do think he does oversell his acting occasionally. I also felt some of    Overall, a pretty good detective drama. On the surface, it doesn't deviate that much from others but the plot is strong and the overall direction kept me compelled to keep watching it. Nothing felt too contrived or coincidental which can sometimes sink mystery dramas.

    Matthew Rhys is good in the lead role, although I do think he does oversell his acting occasionally. I also felt some of the side plots felt a bit lacklustre and didn't really add much to the complete story.

    Will probably watch S2 when it gets a UK release none-the-less, it's a solid watch and one I wouldn't mind recommending.    … Expand
  2. RidingHood
    Jun 30, 2020
    10
    Well made show, bleak with great character and period detail. Not really Perry Mason save for a passing resemblance - maybe Perry Mason's depressive cousin.
  3. Monteg
    Jun 24, 2020
    8
    I enjoy the atmosphere the show presents. Makes me feel very into about what will happen.
  4. shoulderoforion
    Jun 22, 2020
    8
    1930's Hard Boiled Los Angeles Noir Detective fiction, oh, yes please, thank you. Was a 10 until the last scene, then it lost me a bit, I like my LA Private Eyes tough, smart, drunk and a pro with the ladies, not overly tortured, and hope we get more of the former and less of the latter. I'm in, and will be eagerly tuning in on Sunday nights.
  5. jmart1963
    Jun 27, 2020
    10
    Excellent reimagining of the original Perry Mason. Those critical of this version need only go to MeTV to enjoy reruns. I choose to do both.
    On a side note, is there any way to filter out reviews from some of the individuals that clearly have a political or social mission to bad mouth anything (films, tv shows, games, whatever) that dare to present a vision that is evolved beyond 1960?
  6. aantik4444
    Aug 20, 2020
    10
    Well written, beautifully shot and finely acted. Multi-dimensional characters whom you sympathise with despite them doing the wrong thing, that is very rare for TV dramas these days. Great music too. Absolutely loved this one.
  7. kszweda
    Aug 17, 2020
    7
    My overall impression is positive. It starts slowly but gets faster as you follow the episodes. The plot is dark, but it fits the times it describes. I can recommend.
  8. geewah
    Jan 10, 2021
    7
    The telling of this origin story is gritty (and at times goes to far), but it's shines brightest in the courtroom scenes.

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. The Playlist
    Reviewed by: Jessica Kiang
    Oct 5, 2020
    91
    By about episode 3 it hits its stride, and you realize that as splashy as the murder mystery hook might be, it is not the plot that is the puzzle here, it is the people. There is a jigsaw-player’s pleasure in watching how their scattered, frayed edges will eventually fit together, how they will slowly reconfigure across the eight episodes into a stable new status quo. That of course relies on exceptional performances and “Perry Mason” delivers right across the cast.
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  2. The Detroit News
    Reviewed by: Tom Long
    Aug 14, 2020
    67
    Strained at times, wandering at others, “Perry Mason” finds its footing eventually and by its end you may want to watch a second season even as you hope it’s better than the first.
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  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    Jun 25, 2020
    50
    So much attention is paid to establishing Mason as a complicated and sufficiently pained male protagonist (and Rhys, to his credit, has a greater range with watchable mournfulness than anyone else on television) that the other elements of the story can get lost. ... The stylistic self-indulgence and narrative nebulousness are more of a shame because when Mason finally finds himself in court, all the pieces of the show fall into place.
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