Pure Genius

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 27, 2016
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 42
  3. Negative: 9 out of 42
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User Reviews

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  1. chriscurry
    Jan 20, 2017
    10
    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 is so vulgar. I get tired of these shows and usually there is nothing else on at the same time thatWe 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
  2. snovasf
    Jan 27, 2017
    9
    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.
  3. GMAriya
    Jan 9, 2017
    10
    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.
  4. meldrew
    Oct 31, 2016
    3
    Considering a lot happens, this is a curiously uninvolving pilot episode.

    Overly manipulative emotionally, there's no edge to it at all. If this is the best it can come up with to hook an audience into sticking with it for a few more episodes, I fear for what's to come.

    3/10 and two of them are for the loveliness that is Odette Annable.
  5. ibesuf
    Dec 9, 2016
    10
    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 and touching way - to make medicine and research advance. All in all a very pleasant show, which I'd love toThis 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
  6. Rick03937
    Jan 7, 2017
    9
    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 medicalFirst 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
  7. sanibelgal
    Dec 8, 2016
    9
    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 a lot of TV - I work so much - this is a nice show to relax with in the late evening. I am reallyWhile 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
  8. yosa1
    Jan 13, 2017
    8
    Let me preface this with, some of the science is contrived to fit the situations, the acting is designed to fit the show.

    This show is a good watch, I held off on it until there were a few eps to watch because it takes more than an episode to establish a series, this one does just that. Bad points- it really reaches for that emotional grab, most shows try for that, but hell the over    Let me preface this with, some of the science is contrived to fit the situations, the acting is designed to fit the show.

    This show is a good watch, I held off on it until there were a few eps to watch because it takes more than an episode to establish a series, this one does just that.

    Bad points- it really reaches for that emotional grab, most shows try for that, but hell the over drama can get a bit fake.

    Situations which call for last second result(all films do this, pet peeve)

    Yeah... the science needs to not jar me as much,.....I watch supernatural, and its doable in its own weird universe, I need no further words on that.

    What this show has some real interesting ideas, it makes the audience think, it may hook you in with emotional strife, but it does it well and keeps you focused an the the characters.

    The intrigue this show presents is what I Like to see, it gets me interested, and I believe it is show worth watching.    … Expand
  9. kimp5
    Dec 23, 2016
    10
    This is my favorite new show of 2016. I think it just gives us a glimpse into the future. It gives hope. When we get horrible shows (like 2 broke girls) renewed season after season I can't comprehend why shows like this aren't given a better time slot.
  10. lisashea
    Jan 9, 2017
    2
    I generally enjoy hospital dramas and I love the high tech aspect of this. So we watched a number of episodes, really hoping it would work out.

    It was awful. The plots were cliche and the acting often wooden. Often it was about showing off their 3D printer without any actual thought involved. There were several times I was yelling at the screen because what they were doing made no    I generally enjoy hospital dramas and I love the high tech aspect of this. So we watched a number of episodes, really hoping it would work out.

    It was awful.

    The plots were cliche and the acting often wooden. Often it was about showing off their 3D printer without any actual thought involved. There were several times I was yelling at the screen because what they were doing made no sense at all.

    But there was an episode where I finally swore I would never watch it again.

    It involved a multi-person kidney donation swap. First, one of the staff members BADGERED AN ANONYMOUS PATIENT even though it would risk the entire groups of patients!! Why? Because she was nosy? That was just infuriating.

    And then, to make it worse, another doctor PRESSURED AN ORGAN DONOR to donate an organ. This is just beyond unethical. And she was petulant and whiny when confronted. Her end result was "Oh well, I'm sorry I stepped on your toes" - showing zero remorse at all for her unethical behavior. And of course they made it the *female* doctor who shows this emotional lack of professionalism.

    No no no. I will never watch this show again. It goes against everything I believe.    … Expand
  11. ArmanddeB
    Jan 30, 2017
    0
    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 it the pie wasn't finished. Hope it gets another chance.
  12. Pine55
    Feb 9, 2017
    10
    This is a fantastic show. My whole family loves it and looks forward to Thursday when it is on. I am shocked that CBS is talking of cancelling it. It gives a person hope about the future and what doctors and technical people could accomplish. And to think that a billionaire could be such a good person who wants to only do good... Please do not take this off air....... You replace it with aThis is a fantastic show. My whole family loves it and looks forward to Thursday when it is on. I am shocked that CBS is talking of cancelling it. It gives a person hope about the future and what doctors and technical people could accomplish. And to think that a billionaire could be such a good person who wants to only do good... Please do not take this off air....... You replace it with a show that is a remake of a movie that was stupid....... We need shows that leave you with a feeling of hope....… Expand
  13. 1Domino6
    Feb 20, 2017
    10
    Finally, a show without cops, lawyers, killing, swearing .... and what does CBS do - they cancel it! Unbelievable. Was my favorite show. Real heart even if some of the technology was a ways in the future. The stars made it believable. If you feel the need to cancel something, take a better look at some of the mind-numbing "comedies" you see fit to air for years on end. Thanks CBS.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
43

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 7 out of 19
  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Oct 31, 2016
    33
    A rare and probably untreatable case of a premise that comes off far more creepy than it intends.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Oct 27, 2016
    20
    The best thing about Pure Genius is that it's laugh-out-loud funny, which CBS can't say about any of its new sitcoms. Of course, Pure Genius is a drama that's not actually supposed to be funny, so there you go.
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  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Oct 27, 2016
    10
    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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