Public Morals

:

Season 1
  • Network: TNT
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 25, 2015
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 50
  3. Negative: 7 out of 50
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User Reviews

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  1. BiddyDono
    Aug 31, 2015
    7
    Super yummy looking TV - every shot is like an artwork. Ed Burns and some other great actors nail the job of telling an old fashioned NY crime story. Loved it.
  2. manwe7
    Oct 22, 2015
    8
    The writer for Vanity Fair said that this show was horrible. What an IDIOT! He needs to hang his Fedora up and stop writing because he's a **** idiot! I thought this show was awesome. Really worth checking out.
  3. DanniBoi
    Aug 27, 2015
    10
    This show is very on point... from the acting, environment and the typical accent from the 60's. it has a incredible cast and very interesting plot in which it is an obvious one, but also interesting to see how everything will be developed.
  4. BimmerGirl
    Aug 31, 2015
    10
    I am three episodes in and with each one, I get more hooked. As the story unfolds and you meet more of the characters, the show gets better and better. The cast is fantastic - both veterans and newly discovered talent. Loving the darker, grittier edge - keep it up!
  5. KansasKid
    Aug 28, 2015
    10
    I was a HUGE fan of Southland on TNT (should never have been canceled) so when I saw the promos for Public Morals I thought um, I might check this out. Glad I did! I love a good cop series, but this was so much more and so well written and shot I thought I was watching HBO. TNT you finally up'd your game again - thank you. I can not wait for more episodes - EXCELLENT!
  6. nygirl
    Aug 26, 2015
    10
    I watched this show last night and loved it! I saw all the billboards all over the city and wanted to check the show out even though I don't watch many shows on TNT. I thought the cast was great! It was fun to go back to that old NYC. It felt like a cop version of Mad Men. I will be telling everyone to tune in.
  7. JacktheMack
    Aug 26, 2015
    10
    So I watched the first four episodes, and while it starts a little slowly, this show becomes pretty fantastic quickly. The acting is superb and the little touches of humor are great. Way more character than the run-of-the-mill police procedural. Definitely a step up for TNT.
  8. BogKid
    Aug 28, 2015
    6
    This show visually evokes New York a few decades ago -- I know, I was there. I find the acting to be above average and the writing be about average. So far the show depresses me a bit since all of the cops seem to be dirty to one degree or another. They explained the lack of policing of victimless crimes as controlling those crimes rather than stopping them. I honestly don't know ifThis show visually evokes New York a few decades ago -- I know, I was there. I find the acting to be above average and the writing be about average. So far the show depresses me a bit since all of the cops seem to be dirty to one degree or another. They explained the lack of policing of victimless crimes as controlling those crimes rather than stopping them. I honestly don't know if the NYPD was really this bad back then but it is depressing if it is true. I certainly hope today's NYPD is at least measurably better. The show is OK, but it seems to me to be just one more of the usual cop show formula.… Expand
  9. BillJustBill
    Aug 27, 2015
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Production values are quite high for this new show, it has a good cast and a possibly interesting idea. What prevented me from giving it a high rating is that the pilot tried to be a little too cute in the first part of the show about the main premise (that the morality squad are all on the take). Then so many of the scenes (it seemed to me—this is not a careful analysis but just off the top) were just a little too hackneyed ("If you ever hit my mother again I'll kill you") and the dialogue a little too stale. Because the storyline lacked a regular line-up of surprises for the viewer, instead I got a sort of conventional plodding feeling from the story (my wife fell asleep). When your wife nods off during a show, that's a tip-off that suspense has gone missing. I will watch future episodes in the hope that these things get fixed.… Expand
  10. NYCZX
    Aug 29, 2015
    10
    Amazing new show! Intriguing characters, played by a remarkably talented cast, in a visually stunning throwback to 1960s New York. The story is great too, but it's the acting and aesthetics that really set it apart from other shows. I can't wait for the rest of season one!
  11. Ripandread
    Oct 27, 2015
    10
    Kudos to Edward Burns for not only creating this show, but producing, directing and even writing episodes.

    Instead of the traditional cop show, Public Morals looks into the seedy side of police work which includes some “bad apples” who have no objections to taking illegal money on the side while pretending to uphold the law.
  12. moviebuffers
    Oct 22, 2015
    5
    OK the first and perhaps only season just wrapped and what started with a lot of promise has me giving a final grade right up the middle. Certainly has great atmosphere and well appointed sets but the script and acting is quite rote. Every scene has the sameness no mater if climactic or set-up, and the dialogue is delivered almost on a satiric level. And I must ask - does anyone agree withOK the first and perhaps only season just wrapped and what started with a lot of promise has me giving a final grade right up the middle. Certainly has great atmosphere and well appointed sets but the script and acting is quite rote. Every scene has the sameness no mater if climactic or set-up, and the dialogue is delivered almost on a satiric level. And I must ask - does anyone agree with me that the ending of the first season was extremely abrupt? I thought we were going to another commercial break but then the final credits started to roll. Very odd!… Expand
  13. presterjohn
    Jan 24, 2016
    10
    I am really sad that the public did not give this show a shot. Every now and again the next potentially great show never finds it's audience and this show is one of those. Like another failed favourite of mine Terriers from a couple of years back I am dumbfounded how this did not work. Great cast, great setting, interesting central idea and quality scripts to round all that off. A lostI am really sad that the public did not give this show a shot. Every now and again the next potentially great show never finds it's audience and this show is one of those. Like another failed favourite of mine Terriers from a couple of years back I am dumbfounded how this did not work. Great cast, great setting, interesting central idea and quality scripts to round all that off. A lost opportunity.… Expand
  14. ConstantReader
    Aug 30, 2015
    8
    Locations, clothes, music, profanity and smoking in bars - authentic for 1965. Facial hair on men, not so much. Beards and long hair really didn't start until about 1968; I was there back then. Why does Joe Patton roll up in a 10 year old Caddy? Not doing too well as a mobster? And the hearse for O'Bannon needs polishing. Is Brian Dennehy supposed to have an Irish brogue? Barely getsLocations, clothes, music, profanity and smoking in bars - authentic for 1965. Facial hair on men, not so much. Beards and long hair really didn't start until about 1968; I was there back then. Why does Joe Patton roll up in a 10 year old Caddy? Not doing too well as a mobster? And the hearse for O'Bannon needs polishing. Is Brian Dennehy supposed to have an Irish brogue? Barely gets there. Otherwise, it's a good start. Better than that POS that Spielberg is producing - "Falling Skies". But then that had a good start too.… Expand
  15. gtucker
    Sep 9, 2015
    8
    Really love the show and the cameos by notable stars. But within a few seconds had to question authenticity. The show is 1965, but the Doors did not release Back Door Man until 1967. Music fans from that era will notice the music score. Great show though.
  16. dentoy
    Oct 14, 2015
    10
    This show has it all. Great costumes, great cars, great sets, the attention to details is just off the charts. The casting of the characters is so believable. The best thing however is the story line. I was a member of the NYPD in the year 1965 and I can testify that what you see depicted is EXACTLY the way it was back then. The cops were corrupt, the streets were tough, and everybody hadThis show has it all. Great costumes, great cars, great sets, the attention to details is just off the charts. The casting of the characters is so believable. The best thing however is the story line. I was a member of the NYPD in the year 1965 and I can testify that what you see depicted is EXACTLY the way it was back then. The cops were corrupt, the streets were tough, and everybody had a story. Ed Burns should win whatever awards he is eligible for. I saw the first show when it premiered and the next day binge watched the next three. It is the absolute best "cop" show that I have ever seen.… Expand
  17. msladyship
    Oct 21, 2015
    10
    Fantastic show!!! I absolutely loved it, right from the beginning. Congratulations to Edward Burns! Job well done! Incredible cast! Love the way they portrayed the 60's with dress, cars, music, actions. My favorite show of the season. Please return with a Season 2,3,4 etc. Always look forward to watching it. Please disregard what James Wolcott of VF wrote on Oct 20. He was totallyFantastic show!!! I absolutely loved it, right from the beginning. Congratulations to Edward Burns! Job well done! Incredible cast! Love the way they portrayed the 60's with dress, cars, music, actions. My favorite show of the season. Please return with a Season 2,3,4 etc. Always look forward to watching it. Please disregard what James Wolcott of VF wrote on Oct 20. He was totally wrong. This is the kind of show we'd like to see more of. Hats off to Edward Burns for all his hard work in producing, writing, directing and acting in a successful TV show on TNT. Congrats!!!… Expand

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Best TV Season of 2015
84
#84 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Aug 25, 2015
    91
    It strides the line between comfortable and bold with enough confidence to become charismatic.
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  2. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Aug 25, 2015
    75
    Public Morals is engaging enough, with a jazzy pace, assured direction and a number of fine performances.
    Read full review
  3. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Aug 25, 2015
    80
    Public Morals gets going at the end of the pilot when one of the underbosses of the Irish mob is murdered, which sparks a war between various gangs, including the cops. But the action in this drama is there to serve the characters, who are always unique and engaging.
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