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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
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