Public Morals
TNT | Release Date: August 25, 2015
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
69
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews
Positive:
16
Mixed:
6
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
New York Daily NewsDavid HinckleyAug 24, 2015
Season 1 Review: After a rather long walk down some shadowy alleys, Public Morals becomes a much more intense and traditional crime drama. Read full review
58
Boston HeraldMark A. PerigardAug 25, 2015
Season 1 Review: Burns’ direction is choppy, except for his closing­ scenes, which are un­expectedly strong. He does know how to end an episode. If only he knew how to begin one. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubScott Von DoviakAug 25, 2015
Season 1 Review: Public Morals is a handsome production that could benefit from more variety; half the scenes unfold in smoky saloons, and the washed-out cinematography favors browns and yellows to a distracting degree. Its story is engaging enough on a comfort-food level, but its themes are spoon-fed. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandAug 21, 2015
Season 1 Review: One reason the show is great fun is Burns’ street-baroque dialogue. The characters really do talk about Palookaville. It all goes a little too far, though.... The overwriting keeps Public Morals from achieving the credibility level Burns is aiming for. Read full review
50
Wall Street JournalJohn AndersonAug 20, 2015
Season 1 Review: Mr. Burns has created a show that is watchable.... but the lack of any rudimentary joy among any of the characters means there’s also no one to like, not during the early episodes. Read full review
40
The New York TimesMike HaleAug 24, 2015
Season 1 Review: Public Morals is a mess.... [Working with Amblin Television and producers including Steven Spielberg] probably accounts for the show’s technical polish, but the thin and repetitive writing and the clumsy one-note direction--every scene plays at the same pace and volume, so that family dinners, squad-room arguments and murders seem indistinguishable--can’t be finessed. Read full review
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