Rake (2014)

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Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 23, 2014
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Jan 22, 2014
    60
    It could still be a hit, largely because of Kinnear. But it needs to pick up its game.
  2. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Jan 21, 2014
    60
    The likability of a lying, cheating, essentially egomaniacal criminal defense lawyer is a stretch in the first place. It takes a lot of grinning and tousling from Kinnear to make it work.
  3. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jan 23, 2014
    58
    There might be a good drama in Rake, but right now the jury is still out.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Jan 23, 2014
    50
    If you can’t love the rake in Keegan, then you sure can’t love the lawyer in him either (since it’s barely developed in the pilot). That leaves Rake as an overly familiar character study and an under-developed law procedural.
  6. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Jan 23, 2014
    50
    I'm not entirely sure where Tolan, Kinnear and company are going with this, but I'm only interested if they're willing to go all in. Because a toothless rake is of no use at all.
  7. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: David Hiltbrand
    Jan 23, 2014
    50
    In the early going, Kinnear is simply too stain-proof. His fizzy, boyish air makes Keegan's vices seem merely prankish and easily overlooked.
  8. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Jan 23, 2014
    50
    While tonight’s first episode of Rake (the only one given critics, besides an earlier version of the pilot that was remade since last spring) is--well, rakishly--amusing, it’s not really enough to give a sense of what kind of show this will be, and whether it’s worth sticking with.
  9. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jan 23, 2014
    50
    Mr. Kinnear certainly has the charm to play this rakish character, and the overstuffed pilot introduces a lot of characters who might help propel the series' stories in the future. But if "House" is the model, Rake is a somewhat stale successor.
  10. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Jan 23, 2014
    50
    Fox originally provided a different pilot for Rake, one that wasn't so lighthearted. (Really.) That episode will air later, after, the network hopes, we've come to love this bad boy despite his foibles.
  11. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Jan 23, 2014
    50
    "He's a lawyer--but with a twist!" is not a formula that the big networks will ever stop trying to perfect. But the execution of that idea isn't quite up to par in the first episode of Rake.
  12. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 23, 2014
    50
    Rake's uneven tone (which makes Ally McBeal seem grounded in reality) left me numb.
  13. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Jan 22, 2014
    50
    Kinnear is a fine and immensely likable actor, and his wry smile and way with a line keep Keegan at least minimally sympathetic. They are not, however, enough to make him either interesting or believable.
  14. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Feb 20, 2014
    40
    [Greg Kinnear's] charming enough and funny enough to make it work. If only the writing can rise to his abilities.
  15. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jan 23, 2014
    40
    Rake seems to believe he's fascinating, but the evidence does not persuade.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 43
  3. Negative: 5 out of 43
  1. TNF1343
    Jan 24, 2014
    6
    Note: I have not seen the original Australian version.

    The first episode of Rake is kind of an odd way to introduce us to the series. This    Note: I have not seen the original Australian version.

    The first episode of Rake is kind of an odd way to introduce us to the series. This isn't the true pilot episode, as FOX says Rake will become a more dramatic and less comedic in the future. But what's here is a promising start that gives us a decent introduction to the cast.

    Greg Kinnear plays Keegan Deane, an attorney whose life is currently a terrible mess. With already a ton of stuff on his plate, his client, who was supposed to just plead guilty, gives him more trouble than he anticipated. Peter Stormare guest stars and does a great job as said client.

    The first couple of minutes of Serial Killer move along at a fast pace and feels quite cluttered as a result. The show begins to be more cohesive down the stretch, and was overall a solid hour of television. The humour usually hits the mark too, and even though this is planed to be a drama, I can't see the comedy being completely ditched. There wasn't a ton of drama or tension to speak of here; it was a very light episode for the most part. However, I do see the potential for some good drama later on.    … Full Review »
  2. shellview
    Jan 24, 2014
    7
    Not as good as the original from Australia but still a 7 compared to most of what broadcast TV has to offer. Unfortunately because it is onNot as good as the original from Australia but still a 7 compared to most of what broadcast TV has to offer. Unfortunately because it is on broadcast TV it has been sanitized a bit which makes this Keegan less edgy than the Cleaver Green portrayed by Richard Roxburgh from down under. The pilot shows promise and I found the introduction of characters well done.. I think if Kinnear can grow into this role and become more difficult to love it could be as successful as the original Rake.… Full Review »
  3. Smissimis
    Jan 24, 2014
    9
    The show has a potential to become a good and strong tv series. It's like watching M.D House becoming a lawyer while still being and sociopathThe show has a potential to become a good and strong tv series. It's like watching M.D House becoming a lawyer while still being and sociopath and a real scumbag.… Full Review »
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