Preacher

:

Season 1
  • Network: AMC
  • Series Premiere Date: May 22, 2016
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    May 23, 2016
    60
    While the first four episodes of this series go a long way towards re-imagining its inspiration, I wish it had thought harder and found the courage to be even wilder and weirder.
  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    May 20, 2016
    50
    Give the wobbly tone, straddling camp and extreme action, it's hard to tell where this mayhem is headed. [23 May-3 Jun 2016, p.15]
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  3. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    May 20, 2016
    50
    Too much of the show consists of simmering, of waiting for things to happen--kind of like Fear The Walking Dead, come to think of it. Except Preacher is prettier to look at (it’s very well art-directed), and it’s more dry and dusty.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    May 19, 2016
    50
    Preacher struggles to depict the challenges of ministry, relying mainly on cliche--which is disappointing, given the show’s title and central idea. Much of the first four episodes are spent untangling a convoluted premise (Preacher is in no apparent hurry to explain its basic mythology or connect some major dots) and offers only the barest glimpse at some essential back­stories that would help viewers follow along.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chuck Bowen
    May 17, 2016
    50
    Preacher's serialized dramatic structure reins in Rogen and Goldberg's impudent, free-associative instincts, though these sensibilities are just evident enough to undermine the momentum of the plot with smug, winking indifference. It's the worst of both worlds.
  7. Las Vegas Weekly
    Reviewed by: Josh Bell
    May 19, 2016
    40
    By the end of the fourth episode, the plot starts to show slight signs of life, but there’s nothing to indicate that the show will capture the energy and creativity of the source material that should set it apart.

Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best TV Season of 2016
18
#18 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
19
#19 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 373 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 299 out of 373
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 373
  3. Negative: 40 out of 373
  1. Phil_T_123
    May 23, 2016
    5
    Preacher was one of my favourite graphic novels, and having Seth Rogen adapt it had me extremely excited for this show. Seth Rogen has a darkPreacher was one of my favourite graphic novels, and having Seth Rogen adapt it had me extremely excited for this show. Seth Rogen has a dark sense of humour and has never been afraid to mock religion - which the source text does ubiquitously, both outright and with its twisted mythology.

    To summarize the original comic without spoilers, Jesse Custer, a dubious preacher, receives the power of the word, which knocks him down and kills his congregation. He then uses this power to go on a wild, wacky, weird and violent road trip with vampire friend, Cassidy, and unsuccessful hitwoman ex-girlfriend, Tulip, in order to hold God himself to account for walking out on creation.

    Would I hold it against the show's creator's for toning down the violence and sexual depravity to make the show TV friendly? Not particularly, the text is extreme. Would I hold it against them for changing the story and characters to make it a more TV friendly format? Yes, and I do.

    In the show, not only does Jesse's congregation not die, but he swears at the end of episode one that rather than walk out on them, he is going to save them. We also have the addition of a mother of two character as Jesse's best friend. Why are these two points significant? Because they tell us that the show is probably going to stay in Texas, with Jesse using his friends and his power to save different members of the congregation each week. They've changed the story to give the show a more consistent weekly format rather than the unpredictable and random road-trip nature of the comic - a consistent structure on TV sells better and is less commercially risky.

    Looking at the characters, there are major (and unnecessary) differences, for example: in the comics, Tulip, Jesse's hitwoman ex-girlfriend, was a pretty reluctant and unsuccessful assassin. In the show, she is a crazy cross between a ninja and McGuyver, happily engineering a rocket launcher from baked bean tins to take down a helicopter.

    So, the story is different, the characters are different, there is no religious satire and Jesse Custer looks like he's working for God rather than hunting him down, but the TV crtitcs will have you believe that this show captures the essence of Preacher, apparently all because it also contains comic violence.

    If I were you, I'd read the book, watch the show, and then make your own mind up. But I think if are looking for anything true to the original text then, like me, you are going to be disappointed.    … Full Review »
  2. boofaloben
    May 23, 2016
    10
    As a giant fan of the Garth Ennis original graphic novel series, I am happy they have made changes (casting/origin) but kept to the heart ofAs a giant fan of the Garth Ennis original graphic novel series, I am happy they have made changes (casting/origin) but kept to the heart of the Preacher universe. Best pilot episode I have seen for a show, possibly ever. Can't wait to see what they throw at us this season.… Full Review »
  3. Truthserum
    May 25, 2016
    0
    Made-for-tv garbage. completely changed story, changed characters, with no intention of being the wacky, surprising, darkly humorous satireMade-for-tv garbage. completely changed story, changed characters, with no intention of being the wacky, surprising, darkly humorous satire that the orginal tale was.

    With the bonus of all new cliched dialogue and hack plotting, instead of Garth Ennis' original wit.

    What a balls up! Seth Rogan is an idiot. To be honest in real life he comes across as an idiot....so i'm not surprised this show has turned out so badly.    … Full Review »
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