Pure Genius: Season 1

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

CBS | Season Premiere Date: October 27, 2016

Summary: Silicon Valley tech billionaire James Bell (Augustus Prew) recruits surgeon Dr. Walter Wallace (Dermot Mulroney) to be his Chief of Staff at a his new cutting edge hospital in this medical drama created by Jason Katims.

Genre(s): Drama, Tech & Gaming

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Lift Me Up
Air Date: January 26, 2017
tbd
S1:E12. I Got This
Air Date: January 19, 2017
tbd
S1:E11. Touch and Go
Air Date: January 12, 2017

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Verne Gay

Oct 25, 2016

Marred by the usual hospital prime-time melodramatics, Pure Genius is still a compelling idea matched to a superior cast. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Oct 26, 2016

The cancer/pregnancy storyline unfortunately takes a rather predictable turn in terms of the woman’s hard-praying husband. But the dynamics between the willful Bell and his staff are well-played throughout. Read full review

Shirley Li

Oct 17, 2016

A formulaic medical drama. [21/28 Oct 2016, p.97]

Glenn Garvin

Oct 22, 2016

In other words, all the same stuff you've seen on every TV medical drama back to the days of Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare, from which Pure Genius is indistinguishable except for the color photography. Read full review

James Poniewozik

Oct 26, 2016

This is just a doctor drama with C.G.I. and without interesting character dynamics. Bell, at least, is a distinctive lead personality--he’s not at all likable, but that could be by design, and Mr. Prew commits to his precious smarminess. Read full review

Gail Pennington

Oct 27, 2016

The script is assembled from cliches, some so hokey the actors seem to have trouble keeping straight faces. The plot rarely holds together, and the technology is more new age (a real-life "Vulcan mind meld"?) than cutting age. Worst of all, both Prew and Mulroney are horribly miscast, and neither is a satisfactory entry point into the drama. Read full review

Willa Paskin

Oct 27, 2016

I have no idea what happened in the making of Pure Genius, but it is impossible to tell that Katims was involved, on the level of performance or intelligence. Read full review

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User Score

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6.7

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User Reviews

GMAriya

Jan 9, 2017

Pure Genius is my favorite show. Smart dialogs, interesting characters. A show without vulgarity and brutality. Each episode present an intense psychological drama. I love the interactions of the brilliant minds when they finish each other sentences like weaving the ideas.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

ibesuf

Dec 9, 2016

This show might be a little surreal, especially when it comes to the futuristic methods they invent to cure the patients, but yet you get attached to the persona of each character very quickly. What I like the most, is the concept of a billionaire spending his fortune - in a humble andThis show might be a little surreal, especially when it comes to the futuristic methods they invent to cure the patients, but yet you get attached to the persona of each character very quickly. What I like the most, is the concept of a billionaire spending his fortune - in a humble and touching way - to make medicine and research advance. All in all a very pleasant show, which I'd love to see going into a second season… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

chriscurry

Jan 20, 2017

We really like this show. Please reconsider cancelling it. It is a very interesting show. I get so tired of the killing shows, this is so refreshing to watch. Wish you would look at some of the comedies that should be cancelled, such as 2 Broke Girls, Outdoor, Odd Couple. 2 Broke Girls isWe really like this show. Please reconsider cancelling it. It is a very interesting show. I get so tired of the killing shows, this is so refreshing to watch. Wish you would look at some of the comedies that should be cancelled, such as 2 Broke Girls, Outdoor, Odd Couple. 2 Broke Girls is so vulgar. I get tired of these shows and usually there is nothing else on at the same time that is worth watching.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

sanibelgal

Dec 8, 2016

While the show's premise is rather fantastical, I love the lead character. This new actor is engaging. It is a kind of goofy but it is a unique idea with this billionaire genius who looks at things differently..I would have loved to see them be able to develop it more. I do not watch aWhile the show's premise is rather fantastical, I love the lead character. This new actor is engaging. It is a kind of goofy but it is a unique idea with this billionaire genius who looks at things differently..I would have loved to see them be able to develop it more. I do not watch a lot of TV - I work so much - this is a nice show to relax with in the late evening. I am really disappointed they are not renewing it.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

snovasf

Jan 27, 2017

Dr. House without neurotics. An interesting combination of the belief in humane approach and finding a scientific solution to a medical problem. The slight overdose of melodramatic situations is compensated for me by a likable cast.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Rick03937

Jan 7, 2017

First let me say, I vote that CBS should renew “Pure Genus” for at least another season. As a SAG member I look at a show two ways. One, the technical aspects. But more importantly: does the show carry me to a place where I care about the principle characters as well as the visiting ones?First let me say, I vote that CBS should renew “Pure Genus” for at least another season. As a SAG member I look at a show two ways. One, the technical aspects. But more importantly: does the show carry me to a place where I care about the principle characters as well as the visiting ones? It does. The premise of the show is that a visiting patient has an abnormality and the medical establishment has given up on them. The principle characters on “Pure Genus” are pushed by the billionaire philanthropist to find new and unique ways to succeed. Real or not, we all hope that doctors like that will take care of us, or our loved ones, should the need ever arise. Let me also say that I feel that the actors and crew are doing a pretty good job right now and will only get better as time goes on. The first season on most of the best shows were pretty rough and a fan base needed time to take root and grow. By those standards “Pure Genus” is ahead of the curve. I just streamed episode 10, when the show was done and the credits were rolling I realized I was smiling and I felt good. At the end of the day, that’s all I what, to smile and feel good. Of course “Pure Genus” could be replaced with “Kardashian ass” or “Real Housewife’s” of I don’t give a crap! All I know is, if that’s the case I will be tuned into another network with their shows and their commercials.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

ArmanddeB

Jan 30, 2017

This is a show that you really want to root for. The cast is an interesting combination of actors who seem to have not quite meshed. I love the concept and science but i think that the show needed more time to develop. It reminds me of the CBS show Battle Creek. Loved the characters, but itThis is a show that you really want to root for. The cast is an interesting combination of actors who seem to have not quite meshed. I love the concept and science but i think that the show needed more time to develop. It reminds me of the CBS show Battle Creek. Loved the characters, but it the pie wasn't finished. Hope it gets another chance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 13 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

43

Series Overview
Season 1

43
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 27, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E13. Lift Me Up
  Air Date: January 26, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E12. I Got This
  Air Date: January 19, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E11. Touch and Go
  Air Date: January 12, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E10. Hero Worship
  Air Date: January 5, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E9. Grace
  Air Date: January 1, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E8. Around the World in Eight Kidneys
  Air Date: December 15, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E7. A Bunker Hill Christmas
  Air Date: December 8, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E6. Bunker Hill, We Have a Problem
  Air Date: December 1, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E5. Fire and Ice
  Air Date: November 24, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E4. Not Your Grandmother's Robotic Surgery
  Air Date: November 17, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E3. You Must Remember This
  Air Date: November 10, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E2. It's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider Silk Surgery
  Air Date: November 3, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: October 27, 2016