Ray Donovan

:

Season 3
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 30, 2013
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 65
  3. Negative: 10 out of 65
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User Reviews

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  1. Noiseblock
    Jul 13, 2015
    9
    Great new material so far. Season 3 starts off showing the eponymous protagonist of the show at a new low point, despite being freed of the precarious situations that occured in Season 2, taking jobs way under his normal niveau and getting wasted at shady bars. Being ridden by guilt for not picking up the phone in the final moments of his father-figure and thus being emotionally devastatedGreat new material so far. Season 3 starts off showing the eponymous protagonist of the show at a new low point, despite being freed of the precarious situations that occured in Season 2, taking jobs way under his normal niveau and getting wasted at shady bars. Being ridden by guilt for not picking up the phone in the final moments of his father-figure and thus being emotionally devastated surely doesn´t help a lot, too, even though a lucrative and successful job for medial mogul Mr. Finney at least ends the job-concerning misery. But what can be said of the quality of the episode besides the plot?
    I don´t see any indicator for saying Ray Donovan has declined in quality, the opposite seems to be the case. It relishes on the old strenghts with powerful and nuanced performances, artistically confident writing & camera-work, episodic yet focused storytelling and dealing with emotional traumata with appropriate sensitiveness.The season-premiere does all that in perfection. The only point of criticism I see can be directed at the usual over-the-top moments in Ray Donovan (I only say gloryhole), but these moments have always been part of the series and help enhance the grim discrepancy between the shiny world of hollywood and its seedy underbelly. Honestly speeking, blatantly negative reviews of the show seem to cohere with an already pre-set mindset of critics who didn´t like the show´s style and storytelling in the first place. This is a legitmate reason to dislike the show, however, throwing around 1-star-reviews condensed on one page without really pointing out what is bad but rather clinging to one criticised point and basing the whole review around it seems like a really shallow argumentation (looking at you, Chris Cabin). What else is there to say? Not much. Ray Donovan just stays what it has always been and improves on its formula to some extent, if you were fond of its episodic neo-noir-style from the beginning, you´ll love it. If you disliked it from the start, you will dislike it again this time around. Simple as that.
    Now we can only wait for the reviews published in the meantime to be uploaded to Metacritic, but I´m sure the overall consensus will be positive once again.    … Expand
  2. damman
    Jul 16, 2015
    10
    I love this show the actors are A+ also I love how you feel for each character and the mistakes they make as it was real life. Hopefully they will make season 4. Great start and great show. Great to watch this knowing the NFL is around the corner.
  3. Betsy
    Jul 15, 2015
    10
    Ray is off to a great start. It's refreshing to see some new blood...I mean characters. I'm absolutely hooked on this show. A few months ago I was so bored with formulaic network TV I thought I'd start watching RD on demand...watched all of season 2 in 2 months, had a couple of weeks to spare before season 3 started so I caught up with season 1...couldn't continue without knowing the fullRay is off to a great start. It's refreshing to see some new blood...I mean characters. I'm absolutely hooked on this show. A few months ago I was so bored with formulaic network TV I thought I'd start watching RD on demand...watched all of season 2 in 2 months, had a couple of weeks to spare before season 3 started so I caught up with season 1...couldn't continue without knowing the full story of what happened with the priest and Sully.
    The acting is superb...Eddie Marsan's Terry Donovan is Emmy worthy. I've loved him ever since He played Pancks in Little Dorrit in '08. And Jon Voight as Mickey excels in depicting the ultimate scumbag dad...but without giving anything away, he takes care of his own...be it his own skin or the people he actually cares about. And that's the beauty of the show's characters is that they're all multidimensional. Theyre all flawed...just like real people. Ray Donovan does not insult my intelligence with virtuous do-gooders or evil nemesises (is that the plural?).    … Expand
  4. Juttybomb
    Sep 24, 2015
    10
    Living in LA and watching this show, reawakens you. Katie Holmes is money on a tight shot, she has the power to convey emotion with little to no dialogue, and she does it so well. Did I mention she's hot, well duh she's Katie Holmes. Liv aka Cotton Weary aka Ray Donovan is stone cold, and does a great job carrying each episode, dudes a good character actor. Jon Voight is a G, plain andLiving in LA and watching this show, reawakens you. Katie Holmes is money on a tight shot, she has the power to convey emotion with little to no dialogue, and she does it so well. Did I mention she's hot, well duh she's Katie Holmes. Liv aka Cotton Weary aka Ray Donovan is stone cold, and does a great job carrying each episode, dudes a good character actor. Jon Voight is a G, plain and simple that man is a real actor, don't sleep on him. Paula has made me grow to like her over the seasons. Kerris is cute, holler if you are over 18. I live in Hollywood, what's up (ha ha)? The entire cast is great. Sopranos with a the LA likability of Entourage, great writing, good location scouting. Thanks for making me look forward to my Sunday nights.… Expand
  5. RichardGonci
    Jul 14, 2015
    8
    While no one would contest that this good show is a "star-turn" for Liev Schreiber, I must put in a plug for Jon Voight in his supporting role. In real life, Voight is somewhat to the right of Genghis Khan, which is more than a little ironic as his daughter is Angelina Jolie. That aside, he is a masterful actor. Like Frank Langella in the "Americans," whenever he is on-screen everyone elseWhile no one would contest that this good show is a "star-turn" for Liev Schreiber, I must put in a plug for Jon Voight in his supporting role. In real life, Voight is somewhat to the right of Genghis Khan, which is more than a little ironic as his daughter is Angelina Jolie. That aside, he is a masterful actor. Like Frank Langella in the "Americans," whenever he is on-screen everyone else looks like a paper cutout. God, he is good. Every little body movement is perfect for his essentially predatory self. He truly knows how to "occupy" a role, not just to don it like a nice bathrobe. He can also switch-gears on a dime and invoke ingratiating slime. Thank goodness the writers are wise enough to give this thoroughbred his "head," and let him rum. For the rest of the show, it ranks on the higher level of guilty pleasures, as fans can pretty well guess the "arc" of any episode. Sadly, "Ray" is constructed a little too thinly to be a vehicle for moral surprise. As in there are few surprises. Happily, Schreiber has a screen magnetism just a little south of Liam Neeson, whom I will watch in anything.… Expand
  6. Zookeeper91326
    Jul 22, 2015
    3
    After waiting with great excitement for Ray Donovan to begin its third season, then after watching the first two episodes, I must say I am greatly disappointed. What happened??? New writers? The energy and suspense is gone. Boring and slow paced. I only pay for Showtime because of this show, and now I am thinking of canceling.
  7. hb1209
    Dec 1, 2015
    10
    YES, the third season of "Ray Donovan" is impressive. the drama moved once again to a very high standard and goes even a little bit deeper through the labile protagonists. What in the past year with a focus on the family Donovan and the crumbling of this community began to skillfully continues. But not only that, but you also play about from the strengths of its lead actor LievYES, the third season of "Ray Donovan" is impressive. the drama moved once again to a very high standard and goes even a little bit deeper through the labile protagonists. What in the past year with a focus on the family Donovan and the crumbling of this community began to skillfully continues. But not only that, but you also play about from the strengths of its lead actor Liev Schreiber, who makes the format in its third round several times with an intriguing character drama. Hollander and his writers simply know how to broadcast intimate and very personal snapshots to design for their characters, most of which meet with an incredible intensity the nail on the head.
    I'm looking forward against the coming fourth season and all the new possibilities for the series creators, viewers expect us to die could. The drama series has in my opinion improved after year after year and again upped the ante a little shovel more, while still quite unnoticed flies under the radar of many series fans. But why?    … Expand
  8. janahassan
    Feb 21, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. We can always make our relationship the best for us, life or career a successful as we desire, it only take you to put in the right effort and if you feel you need help then look for help. After my man left me heartbroken. I was lonely, devastated and sad luckily I was directed to a very kind and powerful man (Dr Akhigbe)who helped me brought back my man and now he loves me far more than ever am so happy with life now thank you so much Dr Akhigbe. WhatsApp him + 2 3 4 9 0 2 1 3 7 4 5 7 4 for more information.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jul 13, 2015
    83
    Holmes is obviously meant as a temptation for Ray, but the mismatch between her and star Liev Schreiber is not worth dwelling on. Ray Donovan remains a potent mix of pathos and dark comedy.
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  2. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Deborah Day
    Jul 13, 2015
    90
    The brilliance of Showtime’s Ray Donovan expresses itself not only through the impactful intelligence of star Liev Schreiber, but through nuanced moments in its literary-quality storytelling--written and visual.
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  3. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chris Cabin
    Jul 10, 2015
    25
    Moments [of rampant product placement] cheapen an already paper-thin premise and unstable narrative trajectory that means to measure masculinity by how tortured a man acts and how miserable he feels each time he beats the shit out of someone.
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