Red Oaks

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 41
  3. Negative: 4 out of 41
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User Reviews

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  1. remarkable264
    Oct 10, 2015
    3
    I thought the pilot was very promising. Very nice 80s vibe with great style and music. Also interesting characters like Nash or Getty.

    But take Nash for example: His storyline in the new nine episodes is just not interesting. Why didn't they stick to him as the womanizer and bon vivant? That would have been much more fitting and charming. Instead his character was largely wasted. And    I thought the pilot was very promising. Very nice 80s vibe with great style and music. Also interesting characters like Nash or Getty.

    But take Nash for example: His storyline in the new nine episodes is just not interesting. Why didn't they stick to him as the womanizer and bon vivant? That would have been much more fitting and charming. Instead his character was largely wasted.

    And many of the other storylines (like David's mother being lesbian) were just half-heartedly told. The foundation was there but they didn't really follow through because the writers didn't manage to tell overarching plots which were compelling and coherent.

    They only occasionally had good scenes and character moments (especially the scenes between David and Getty's daughter often clicked) but overall both the storytelling and the production weren't nearly as focused and dense as the pilot.

    Rather disappointing!    … Expand
  2. taimur64
    Oct 16, 2015
    10
    I was surprisingly impressed by this amazon show. The characters are well developed, and the story lines very pretty original. I like the 80s feel of the shows as well as characters like Getty and Nash. I hope it gets a second season.
  3. mtg837
    Oct 13, 2015
    4
    What a big pile of angst-filled, coming-of-age tropes. In an age where well scripted television has all but exploded the cliche, films and movies that depict young men coming of age by the aid of forbidden, two dimensional women have somehow escaped the necessity to evolve. I'll give you the lowdown on this deeply non-compelling (yet self serious) failure of a show.

    A young MILDLY    What a big pile of angst-filled, coming-of-age tropes. In an age where well scripted television has all but exploded the cliche, films and movies that depict young men coming of age by the aid of forbidden, two dimensional women have somehow escaped the necessity to evolve. I'll give you the lowdown on this deeply non-compelling (yet self serious) failure of a show.

    A young MILDLY attractive college aged man is working at a country club (teaching tennis) while, inexplicably, dating the town's blonde beauty. But he's not happy, of course, because this blonde dumb dumb only cares about dumb dumb things like modeling (how silly) and starting a family (ew, how unambitious.) Our young protagonist (Chuckles, lets call him) finds what he imagines to be true love in....wait for it...a short haired brunette (they're the smart kind!) who is edgy because she wears overalls and smokes cigarettes and paints penises and has daddy issues.
    Problem is, she's the daughter of the rich guy at the country club who could get Chuckles fired if he found out he was having hanky panky with his daughter (Because it's totally reasonably for fathers to go to great lengths to get someone fired for having consensual sex with their daughter. Right?)

    Look, this show is dramedy with a major emphasis on the "drama" part, and too much self-seriousness to be genuinely funny. Also, the casual sexism is infuriating. But hey, if you like shows that are marketed as comedies but sparse on the jokes, treat women like prizes for young men to win, and think that the exploits of some entitled future banker are in any way interesting, this show is for you!    … Expand
  4. EludiumQ36
    Nov 27, 2015
    5
    If you're young, in your teens/twenties, then this may be a delightful, cute coming-of-age series for you to enjoy. But if you're double that age group, then you've "already seen this movie", maybe multiple times. It's full of stereotypes and clichés, which again is fine for the young 'uns but way too predictable for elders. So it's tough to assign a score for this because of demographicIf you're young, in your teens/twenties, then this may be a delightful, cute coming-of-age series for you to enjoy. But if you're double that age group, then you've "already seen this movie", maybe multiple times. It's full of stereotypes and clichés, which again is fine for the young 'uns but way too predictable for elders. So it's tough to assign a score for this because of demographic variability, so I'll give a 5 - right in the middle.… Expand
  5. Knighthawk81
    Oct 12, 2015
    2
    This was, perhaps, one of the worst pilots I saw during the Amazon pilot season it premiered. I am mystified as to why it was picked up for a full season. I saw the first two episodes, and it doesn't get any better. This is a misfire for Amazon.
  6. jamess
    Oct 12, 2015
    9
    As a non Amazon Prime customer I can only base this from the pilot, but if the filmmakers intention was to emulate the feeling of the mid 80's comedies like Caddyshack, and more accurately The Flamingo Kid, then they have succeeded and then some. The cast is damn near perfect, and what a joy to see Paul Reiser follow up his work on Married (an underrated gem), with another great role.
  7. sammythelord
    Dec 15, 2015
    10
    This show was a really big surprise, I love the theme of 80's and I really got involved with the characters, the atmosphere got me back to high school boy-girl love drama and I got completely carried away. Its quite funny, but not forcefully, you just grin most of the time, thats another thing that I appreciate. I almost instantly started caring for the characters and plot. Its justThis show was a really big surprise, I love the theme of 80's and I really got involved with the characters, the atmosphere got me back to high school boy-girl love drama and I got completely carried away. Its quite funny, but not forcefully, you just grin most of the time, thats another thing that I appreciate. I almost instantly started caring for the characters and plot. Its just something that I would call "feel good" series. Its not really going that deep and doesnt take itself too seriously, but it entertains and makes you feel nice :)… Expand
  8. horizonbts
    Mar 13, 2018
    9
    Stick with this one as it works, at first I wondered as the characters seemed kind of awkward or misplaced, it didn't take long to find out the story, characters, and setting all end up meshing well and bringing the fun of the 80's out of the past!! It's kind of like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Caddyshack, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Risky Business all wrapped into one! Growing upStick with this one as it works, at first I wondered as the characters seemed kind of awkward or misplaced, it didn't take long to find out the story, characters, and setting all end up meshing well and bringing the fun of the 80's out of the past!! It's kind of like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Caddyshack, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Risky Business all wrapped into one! Growing up and loving the 80's movies this is exactly what I needed in a series. The setting is at Red Oaks Country club so thus the feeling of Caddyshack only tennis is the big game here. Craig Roberts plays David Meyers the tennis guru at the Red Oaks club, kind of a poor man's Ferris Bueller, and the glue that keeps it all together, Ennis Emmer/Nash is the Bill Murray and it took me a few episodes, but I absolutely love his humor and what he brings to the table!! Finally there is Oliver Cooper who plays Wheeler-similar to a Spicoli of a Fast Times at Ridgemont High who loves to party and screams 80's into his character. The series has the language, the cars, the girls, and finally the style of the 80's. If you like me are looking for that 80's type of feel and miss those great movies, here it is all wrapped up into a neat little series. I am addicted now and I can't quit binging, again stick with it, and I am sure like me you will find it hitting on all cylinders with a great 80's flair. Kudo's to Amazon for opening up the 80's time capsule and I also might add very well done!… Expand
  9. HeavyB
    Nov 30, 2015
    10
    I am a child of the 80's and at first thought the show would be a bit of a flashback for me and not much more. However, I thought the characters were well written and the stories crossed decades and were cleaver. The acting and writing is very good.
  10. judaspete
    Jul 7, 2016
    8
    It's not the best show from Amazon (see Transparent & Catastrophe Seasons 1 and The Man in the High Castle). However, I've really enjoyed it. It is a bit of a rehash/nod to 80's movies, but as a guy who grew up in the 80s, I think they've really found the tone well (much more holistically than the set-based "That 70's Show, which was quite funny) and it makes me nostalgic for the timeIt's not the best show from Amazon (see Transparent & Catastrophe Seasons 1 and The Man in the High Castle). However, I've really enjoyed it. It is a bit of a rehash/nod to 80's movies, but as a guy who grew up in the 80s, I think they've really found the tone well (much more holistically than the set-based "That 70's Show, which was quite funny) and it makes me nostalgic for the time when kids were able to go and do things without having helicopter parents around. I remember being out on my bike late, down at the sailing club, drinking with buddies, figuring out relationships... it was fun. Is it original or unique? no. Is it entertaining? I certainly think so.… Expand
  11. Fatsarma
    Nov 13, 2016
    10
    A 80's yet modern take on the whole Jersey country club life....Very very good not to mention the pacing is great! A must watch. The actors are great, the scenery is good and the characters are cute yet have a serious tone to them. Nash And David are the big heads here and their chemistry really shines.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best TV Season of 2015
15
#15 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Salon
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Oct 12, 2015
    50
    [Red Oaks] is executed with a lot of flair and sophistication--a nearly deceptive amount of sophistication, really.... But mostly, the story is scattered and unfulfilling.
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  2. The Salt Lake Tribune
    Reviewed by: Scott D. Pierce
    Oct 12, 2015
    80
    What makes Red Oaks work extremely well is that it not only has a sense of humor, it has heart.
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  3. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Sam Woolf
    Oct 11, 2015
    70
    There’s déjà vu to more than just the period of Amazon’s slice of life tennis comedy, but Red Oaks is a consistent player with surprising potential.
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