• Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 22, 2014
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 268 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 86 out of 268
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User Reviews

  1. Jan 1, 2015
    1
    I am amazed that Jadyn Wong can find work as an actress. I don't think I've seen such wooden acting from anyone in a major T.V. series (not even some of the soap opera actors are that bad). She is painful to watch, how many more strained constipated faces can she make that she seems to think is acting, It's cringe worthy. As silly entertainment it might be worth watching if she wasn't soI am amazed that Jadyn Wong can find work as an actress. I don't think I've seen such wooden acting from anyone in a major T.V. series (not even some of the soap opera actors are that bad). She is painful to watch, how many more strained constipated faces can she make that she seems to think is acting, It's cringe worthy. As silly entertainment it might be worth watching if she wasn't so annoying and distracting in the scenes. Expand
  2. Feb 23, 2016
    2
    Without a doubt, Scorpion is one of the most poorly written programs being aired. The dialogue is forced, unnecessary and, in general, poorly delivered; reminiscent of the '50s TV westerns. The predicaments are contrived, bizarre and beyond improbable; the solutions even more so. The characters (or should I say caricatures) are cartoonish and not at all credible. And what genius wouldWithout a doubt, Scorpion is one of the most poorly written programs being aired. The dialogue is forced, unnecessary and, in general, poorly delivered; reminiscent of the '50s TV westerns. The predicaments are contrived, bizarre and beyond improbable; the solutions even more so. The characters (or should I say caricatures) are cartoonish and not at all credible. And what genius would cast swarthy-skinned of obviously mediterranean descent Elyes Cherif Gabel to play the blue-eyed son of two Irish potatoes named O'Brien? If it were aired on Saturday morning opposite Power Rangers, it might find a suitable audience. Expand
  3. Nov 17, 2015
    1
    Banal! I never thought I would use this word in my life, but Scorpion can be summoned up with this one single word: banal. There I said it again! It seems nowadays investigators do not only have to look perfect, but they have to be super-smart as well. Unfortunately in this case they can't really act what they are not and in the particular episode I watched the pretty smart ass dude spoutBanal! I never thought I would use this word in my life, but Scorpion can be summoned up with this one single word: banal. There I said it again! It seems nowadays investigators do not only have to look perfect, but they have to be super-smart as well. Unfortunately in this case they can't really act what they are not and in the particular episode I watched the pretty smart ass dude spout IT nonsense pretending that his gibberish amounted to some smart insight in the world of hackers. Trace the IP-header. Brilliant... why did nobody else think of that? Except for about every IT professional out there.
    There is a fat bloke, who, how else can it be, is the comical relief and possessed of all the bad qualities that make him the laughing stock of the series. There is a pretty smart girl who has a love hate relation with the smart bloke and is the world wise voice and of course the buddy who is,,, well he is the buddy.
    Investigation consists of reading the script so you know who dunnit and then proving who dunnit by confronting your suspects with deductions that make them conveniently confess on the spot. That is what smart people make you do!

    A series that has nothing to do with detectives, investigations, reality and is basically a comic relief soap. We get to see pretty smart people pretending to be supersmart doing stupid things and goof off. You pay for it. I don't.
    Never to be watched again.
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  4. Apr 11, 2015
    0
    This is so cheesy I'm not even going to take the time to explain how. There is just too much cheddar. My first thought, is why do they let morons write a series about smart people?
  5. Mar 23, 2015
    1
    One long and unending blowjob to Walter O'Brien and his unverified 195 iq. This show has no natural chemistry between the cast or characters. Highly improbable simplistic stories that contradict. Internal logic
  6. Jan 1, 2015
    0
    Saw the ad on CBS. Thought it looked good, similar to Numbers. Went to Comcast On Demand to watch an episode. OMG, it was soooo bad. We couldn't watch a full episode. The plot was predictable, simple and silly. The dialogue was poorly written, and the acting was terrible. What a disappointment. A good idea, executed as if they pulled all of the talent from something inane like Two BrokeSaw the ad on CBS. Thought it looked good, similar to Numbers. Went to Comcast On Demand to watch an episode. OMG, it was soooo bad. We couldn't watch a full episode. The plot was predictable, simple and silly. The dialogue was poorly written, and the acting was terrible. What a disappointment. A good idea, executed as if they pulled all of the talent from something inane like Two Broke Girls. We would like to see it pulled quickly, to free up the time slot for something good. Expand
  7. Feb 18, 2015
    1
    Where to begin.....First, the acting in general is poor. Watching Katherine McPhee is like watching a robot act. She appears too artificial. I always enjoy surprises and this is a surprise that the show is still on. Please put it out of its misery. The plots are hard to believe but perhaps I attribute that to McPhees poor acting. She reminds me of the time Vanna White tried actingWhere to begin.....First, the acting in general is poor. Watching Katherine McPhee is like watching a robot act. She appears too artificial. I always enjoy surprises and this is a surprise that the show is still on. Please put it out of its misery. The plots are hard to believe but perhaps I attribute that to McPhees poor acting. She reminds me of the time Vanna White tried acting with similar results. I gave it a "1" for effort. Expand
  8. Sep 2, 2015
    3
    Another case of writer slide - starting off OK then downhill. We finally stopped watching toward the end when the attempts at comedy became more than a nuisance, the problems became so outlandish as to be absurd and the dialogue and action so hokey even I was embarrassed.

    If they want the show to survive Katherine and their hero better find their Inner Couple real soon. And get back
    Another case of writer slide - starting off OK then downhill. We finally stopped watching toward the end when the attempts at comedy became more than a nuisance, the problems became so outlandish as to be absurd and the dialogue and action so hokey even I was embarrassed.

    If they want the show to survive Katherine and their hero better find their Inner Couple real soon. And get back to serious writing - stop with the constant dumb jokes that seem so forced.
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  9. Dec 15, 2014
    3
    'Scorpion' is show about geniuses, minus the actual genius. It constantly tried to remind you that it's bland characters are smart an intelligent, even though actual genius is never really demonstrated. It's kind of like the show is just telling you to take it's word for it, and it pretty much treats it's viewers like the morons that they probably are. Looking at it objectively, nothing'Scorpion' is show about geniuses, minus the actual genius. It constantly tried to remind you that it's bland characters are smart an intelligent, even though actual genius is never really demonstrated. It's kind of like the show is just telling you to take it's word for it, and it pretty much treats it's viewers like the morons that they probably are. Looking at it objectively, nothing these characters do screams ingenuity, and all of their knowledge and wit is something that anybody can lookup on the internet.

    I don't often compare one show to another, but there is a different show that displays an actual genius and does it in a way that makes you think "Wow!", and that is 'Sherlock/Elementary' (depending on which Sherlock version you prefer). In those shows, the genius of the main character is not merely told to the viewer, but demonstrated in a way that feels authentic and genuinely intelligent.

    Then you have 'Scorpion', a show where the genius of the characters is told rather than shown, and isn't even told well. The dialogue is uncreative, the acting is wooden (especially from the main character, Walter), and the subtle romance being hinted at in the plot is so forced and artificial that it is impossible to take seriously.

    But that can be said about the entire series: It's artificial and impossible to take seriously. The characters do not bounce off of each other in an effective manner and deliver dialogue that comes off in such an unnatural way. Nothing about this series feels natural or genuine; it is a typical procedural drama that is not only bland, but deceitful to the viewer by way of it's storytelling.

    The opening tagline to each episode is "Inspired by the life of Walter O'Brien."

    Not only is that tagline insulting to the intelligence of the viewer, but it is as hollow and empty as they come.
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  10. Jan 3, 2015
    1
    I had such high hopes for this show in the beginning. Unfortunately it has not lived up to its own premise. Each and every episode has technical or scientific errors that the slightest bit of knowledge or research would prevent. For a show that is supposed to be about the science, it is a sad farce of made up facts and technology.

    One of the first episodes had a common Hollywood
    I had such high hopes for this show in the beginning. Unfortunately it has not lived up to its own premise. Each and every episode has technical or scientific errors that the slightest bit of knowledge or research would prevent. For a show that is supposed to be about the science, it is a sad farce of made up facts and technology.

    One of the first episodes had a common Hollywood misconception cast as the technology that saved the day. A floating cloud of pathogen was dispersed by setting off the fire sprinkler system in a mall. Unfortunately, causing one sprinkler head to discharge does not set off the entire system. Each head has a fusible trigger that will open that head alone. Sprinkler systems are also designed to function with the assumption that ten heads or less will control the fire. Even if there are hundreds of heads in the structure, if more then ten activate, the system will likely not have enough to supply them efficiently.

    The recent episode called “Dominoes” was full of ridiculous errors or bad logic. Allow me to name just a few:
    The void space, in which the child was trapped, was supposedly filling at a rate of “30 gallons a minute.” This is a very manageably low amount. It would be relatively to remove that amount with a very small portable pump or two. Most fire trucks carry these kinds of sump pumps.
    Most fire departments also carry lift air bags. These are very effective at lifting things such as rocks and vehicles. They can work on any shape of object, take up very little space, and present no vibration issues.
    Even if one is able to connect a machine to oxygenate the blood, the amount of air in the system must be removed. This takes blood from the bank or the patient’s blood. The amount of air in the lines would kill the patient if introduced into the bloodstream. The amount of blood removed, to fill the tubes, would likely send the child into shock.
    A hydraulic jack could easily lift the bolder from the child’s leg, but that would be too easy. It had to be a tiny hand turned spreader. Wouldn’t any car screw jack had done the exact same thing?

    I could probably go on and on. I could point out errors in other episodes. (Knocking the cap off a fire hydrant will not cause water to gush forth. Hydrants don’t work that way.) I could talk about how dangerous it is for Happy to be welding in an open room without flash curtains to protect the people. (How on earth can Sylvester, who looks for risk everywhere, allow this?)
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  11. Jan 19, 2015
    0
    In all honesty, pretty awful. They seem to confuse genius with autism in many case. Now being pretty smart myself, I am not denying that sometimes I am the biggest odd ball in the room, but super geniuses that cannot function in any job except at Wifi repairmen? That screams someone on the autism spectrum, not someone who would be contacted by the government. Also, since when is being goodIn all honesty, pretty awful. They seem to confuse genius with autism in many case. Now being pretty smart myself, I am not denying that sometimes I am the biggest odd ball in the room, but super geniuses that cannot function in any job except at Wifi repairmen? That screams someone on the autism spectrum, not someone who would be contacted by the government. Also, since when is being good at computers genius stuff? I know a guy who is not the sharpest tool in the shed but apparently should be considered a genius because he is good at computer networks. The show is lost in a morass of techno babble and idiocy, notably hiring a hot waitress to translate the scary outside world for our heroic basement dwellers so they can "translate" her son, who also seems to be on the spectrum more than a genius, just like the scorpions. Being good at a game does not a genius make and the chances are that a normal parent would be creeped out by the offer of a litteral group of outcasts who probably need some serious therapy and help, to help her son. Cause why not let a grown ass man who act really strange hang out with your son. On top of that, being his mother, would she know him well enough by this point? Ugh, gonna stop ranting about it. Awful show from beginning to end that doesn't understand intelligence, feeling like it was written by someone who was a lunk head in high school. Expand
  12. Jan 28, 2015
    0
    With all honesty I have tried to watch this show one more than one occasion, but I just can't get past Jadyn Wong's super annoying voice!!! Even if the show was good, her voice is enough to make we want to turn the channel (which I do). If that isn't her real voice, she needs to change it up. If it is her real voice, she still needs to change it up... or play a boy with a cold becauseWith all honesty I have tried to watch this show one more than one occasion, but I just can't get past Jadyn Wong's super annoying voice!!! Even if the show was good, her voice is enough to make we want to turn the channel (which I do). If that isn't her real voice, she needs to change it up. If it is her real voice, she still needs to change it up... or play a boy with a cold because that's what she sounds like. Expand
  13. Mar 10, 2015
    0
    I've tried to like it, honestly, but I can't because it is just lame. I though it would be similar to Numbers but it is nothing even remotely like that. They got so many good actors involved, why couldn't they try harder on the writing? Much harder, I mean.
  14. Oct 5, 2015
    2
    Dumb show about smart people. Jadyn Wong's speech is a constant battle between her over-enunciation and flat delivery. It is distracting, annoying and just draws more attention to her inability to act.
    Eddie Kaye Thomas and Elyes Gabel are not believable even as Applestore geniuses but can at least make there way through the scenes.
    Ari Stidham is the best thing on this show.
  15. Nov 29, 2015
    0
    Very bad acting .... Very far fetched ... As a techy I think it is insulting to listen to this load of crap... As for Walter o Brien ... Sounds like a con artist and gives us Irish a bad name
  16. Sep 21, 2016
    0
    The plot was only revolving around "I have 190 I.Q" and "I'm too perfect to even listen to you that has an average I.Q", well what can we expect from Walter basing that his whole life is just a speculation. right?
    and the problems that all the characters are facing was incredibly impossible so, maybe that's why they also created A more hard to catch to our brain solutions like "oh he is a
    The plot was only revolving around "I have 190 I.Q" and "I'm too perfect to even listen to you that has an average I.Q", well what can we expect from Walter basing that his whole life is just a speculation. right?
    and the problems that all the characters are facing was incredibly impossible so, maybe that's why they also created A more hard to catch to our brain solutions like "oh he is a businessman so he is using an old type phone and we can call his phone". like duh, all PHONES (old and new) uses satellite to communicate. not only smart phones dumbass.
    This movie is totally nonsense and a waste of time. PERIOD.
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  17. Jan 10, 2017
    1
    Dreadful show that has a bunch of immature nerdy supposed intellectuals standing around spouting tons of pseudo scientific rubbish until you feel like running from the room screaming.
  18. Dec 17, 2014
    0
    The authors, if that's what you call them, took a great premise and made it so blatantly bad that recovery would forever be impossible.
    This is so mind-numbingly, impossibly stupid, that my 12 year old boy and my loving wife, both gullible and avid TV series fanatics, found it too tough to defend, bless'em.
    It's that bad !
  19. Nov 14, 2014
    0
    This is easily, and unintentionally the greatest new comedy of the season. [sarcasm]Who would have thought that incorporating the smartest person in the world to co-produce a show about themselves would be so narcissistic.[/sarcasm]

    It is obvious that this show is catered to dumb people because Walter O'Brian (the main character) has to remind the audience every 5 minutes that his IQ is
    This is easily, and unintentionally the greatest new comedy of the season. [sarcasm]Who would have thought that incorporating the smartest person in the world to co-produce a show about themselves would be so narcissistic.[/sarcasm]

    It is obvious that this show is catered to dumb people because Walter O'Brian (the main character) has to remind the audience every 5 minutes that his IQ is 197. You would think being that smart, and with how much money is spent per episode CBS could afford some fact checkers or even professionals that knew how to do proper editing to prevent continuity errors in post production. Unfortunately this is not the case even though CBS does spend the money to make sure that the Big Bang Theory is factually accurate for its geek fans.

    O'Brian is so smart and loves condescending his targeted audience that he wraps his giant turd of a show in tin foil and tries to sell it as gold. I was looking forward to enjoying this show but it pushes the "Based on a true story" line well beyond its intended meaning.

    It seems to me that CBS it the real sucker for producing Scorpion. Scorpion serves a huge advertisement for O'Brian's company while the script barely manages to attain the IQ of a peanut. Consider that one of the main producers of the show is Justin Beiber's manager (Scooter Braun), and that should be enough to realize this show is a joke.

    To be honest, I am pulling for this show to be renewed so that my software engineering friends and I can enjoy our weekly drinking game, not to mention I hope CBS continues to overpay for this travesty. If you are dumb enough to pay for and produce this show you deserve to be milked. If there is one thing this show demonstrates is if your IQ is high enough you can be as big a jerk as you want to without any real life consequences (what a great lesson to teach young geniuses).

    As a final note, wth is Katharine McPhee doing on this show? The cast is horrible, but her character totally takes it over the top. Greatest show evar!!!!!
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  20. Apr 20, 2015
    0
    Condescending and grossly inaccurate is a great way to describe Scorpion. In other words, it is an insult to people who are *actually* intelligent! Only a simpleton would enjoy Scorpion.
  21. Oct 22, 2015
    0
    This show is a total waste of airtime. I actually am an above average IQ engineer who has worked on datacom, telecomm, computer, aircraft, satellite, RF, and nuclear systems. I can tell you that just about everything they do is complete nonsense!! One would think they would hire a real engineer, or scientist to advise them on there issues to keep the scripts somewhere inside the realm ofThis show is a total waste of airtime. I actually am an above average IQ engineer who has worked on datacom, telecomm, computer, aircraft, satellite, RF, and nuclear systems. I can tell you that just about everything they do is complete nonsense!! One would think they would hire a real engineer, or scientist to advise them on there issues to keep the scripts somewhere inside the realm of realism, but they just pull BS out of the air. Add to that the continual fumbling, antisocial, "geek" behavior, making them seem like total fools, and horrible acting. Then throw in the imbecilic plot lines, to make for a show that only a child could enjoy! Expand
  22. Nov 14, 2014
    0
    The worst drama/action show I have ever seen. Think Glee (after they very quickly jumped the shark) + the worst of procedural drama... Scary, right? The show falls flat in all aspects, the characters suck, the writing sucks and hence you are not given any incentive to keep watching. It is definately one of the best examples of 'so bad it's good' but it manages to spoil that also byThe worst drama/action show I have ever seen. Think Glee (after they very quickly jumped the shark) + the worst of procedural drama... Scary, right? The show falls flat in all aspects, the characters suck, the writing sucks and hence you are not given any incentive to keep watching. It is definately one of the best examples of 'so bad it's good' but it manages to spoil that also by buckling under the weight of its abysmal dialogue. I was looking forward to see Robert Patrick back on the screen and he does a fine job of tackling the monstrous script but this is so beneath him. Expand
  23. Oct 3, 2014
    2
    Scorpion represents a lame but earnest attempt by CBS to create an action drama pandering to what CBS executives assume younger viewers want to see: frenetic paced action, preposterous stories and lots of references to high tech. The end result is dizzying and awful.
  24. Oct 2, 2014
    1
    I really wanted to like this show. It's just too cheesy. The idea behind it has so much potential, yet there is too much unexplained and too much drama. Keep trying to give it a chance, but so far it has been a let down. Needs better writing.
  25. Oct 7, 2014
    0
    Just can't take the seriously. Finished the first 3 episodes, and it's absolutely stock full of techno blather. Enough to make anyone non-computer illiterate go insane.
  26. Sep 22, 2014
    0
    This is really bad. Although I looked forward to it, and thought I would enjoy the premise. It is so completely implausible as to be ridiculous. Absurd. Certainly no Big Bang. On another channel at the same time you can be entertained. This show has nothing to offer in any way at all.
  27. Oct 3, 2014
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was disappointed in the pilot for this show. It started with an interesting premise (4 misfit geniuses doing a combined McGyver / A-Team / Mentalist / 24 kind of hybrid), with hopefully some cool effects and maybe even some decent character development. What the pilot turned into was, unfortunately, a mish-mash of rapid-fire techno babble overlaid onto a series of the worst misrepresentations of aviation that I've ever seen on screen.

    I'll just mention a couple of the glaringly stupid things in the pilot. First, commercial aircraft aren't really "controlled" by the ATC system in a technical sense. The controllers and equipment that are part of ATC give instructions to the pilots, based on airspace category and workload, who then execute them if they are able. The aircraft pilots in command are the final authority on aircraft operation and safety. They will not simply orbit helplessly because they can't raise approach/departure control at LAX.

    If the ATC system for LAX and satellite facilities does go down (which is almost impossible anyway), the pilots of the 56 aircraft in the vicinity will simply go somewhere else. In Southern California there are a plethora of large airports within 30 minutes flight time from LAX. San Diego, Ontario, San Bernadino, Burbank, not to mention Mojave, Palmdale, Edwards. Pilots will simply divert to an alternate airfield.

    Just because the ATC system for LAX goes down doesn't mean that all of the aircraft in the vicinity will suddenly lose communications. Most aircraft communications are actually by VHF/UHF radio, with pre-established frequencies for every aviation entity involved in their flight. So if you can't get ahold of LAX approach control, you can simply call up San Diego control. You can call up the dispatcher for your airline, you can communicate with other aircraft on the LAX tower frequencies, or in a pinch, use the guard frequency (121.5 Mhz). In other words, the word will get out very quickly that LAX is closed and they should find an alternate.

    There are even procedures in the event that all radio comms are lost. In every control tower is a hand-held light gun, which the controllers can use to give basic landing clearance to aircraft. The show depicted a clear day, all the pilots need for a VFR landing is a clear runway and a green signal from the tower light gun.

    Finally, there are no F-22's on alert near LAX to intercept wayward commercial aircraft. Even assuming those aircraft were available, their first priority in an intercept would be to establish communication, not shoot down civil airliners. Again, the very first thing the pilots of those fighters would do would be to communicate with the airliners on the guard frequency (121.5 Mhz), and if that didn't work, approach/departure and tower frequencies for LAX. Absent that, hand gestures to "land now" or "follow me" can also be used.

    Oh, and air traffic control software is not installed on aircraft, nothing on a commercial airliner is ethernet/laptop compatible, and the turbulence of an airliner in ground effect would blow that Ferrari off the runway.

    The executives who made and promoted this show should be embarrassed that they didn't shell out a few extra bucks for an actual aviation consultant who could have told them how ridiculous the premise was. They have already lost me as a viewer.

    -Irritated in Denver
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  28. Sep 25, 2014
    3
    A show about smart people written by people who are not smart? It was just ridiculous how implausible 95% of the dialog was. Every situation was laughable. I have no problems with scenarios that are "Hollywood" if it at least makes sense and provides entertainment. Concept of the show is great. execution / writing is absolutely horrendous. Character selection also leaves a lot to be desired.
  29. Oct 2, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I stuck in there for a while, ignoring the fact that all the flights could have changed frequencies and talked to So Cal approach (more smart people) to get rerouted to any one of the other 5 international airports within a short 45 minute diversion. I ever hung around for something smart to come from Katharine McPhee (token cute girl), but putting ALL the obvious easier remedies aside, I just couldn't take any more when we were supposed to ignore the laws of physics with the whole 240 knots approach and Ferrari gag. This is where I turned it off and cancelled my season pass. SPOILER ALERT! It was dumb, where are those Cop Rocks reruns? Expand
  30. Oct 4, 2014
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Scorpion" I wanted to like ya but I just cant. I have watched the first two episodes and its just not doing it for me. The basic premise is a group of geniuses are working with the US government to save us dumb slobs each week from some calamity. First it was all the planes falling out of the sky. Next it was saving a governor's daughter from death by biocyberterrorism. The Scorpion team is composed of Walter (the main character), a behaviorist (whatever that is), a mechanical genius, and a human calculator. Uhh why do we need a human calculator? Its a cool parlor trick but if I need a calculator, I'll just use my phone. They are joined by a whizkid and his normal mom. They will help her understand her gifted son. Their FBI handler is also there to keep them in line and interface with the government and the other "normal folks". The plot of the plane episode was laughable to me. If you cant communicate with the plane's radio but you can get the pilot on his cell phone, just give him directions that way on how to land the plane... but nooooo. That would be too easy. Anyway poor Katharine McPhee is probably trying to figure out how she can get off this show as soon as possible. And am I sure "Scorpion" is a sinking ship? Yes, it doesnt take a genius to figure that out. Expand
  31. Oct 9, 2014
    0
    Stupidest genius ever, unrealistic, flat, boring, she is pretty but Walter is a fraud and you can see it even here.. ridiculous plot...... my eyes are bleeding
  32. Oct 1, 2014
    0
    This show is lame. Like watching a grade D movie. Tried hard to be a lot of things but misses the boat on all of them. No chance for this dumb show...
  33. Sep 23, 2014
    2
    I liked most of the actors though, honestly, there was nothing special about any of them. Robert Patrick did do an excellent job of playing "Robert Patrick".

    But the writing! What a dismally stupid plot line. All of the passenger planes in southern California will crash or be shot down because of communications problems. Notes to pilots: Look out the window. Avoid other planes.
    I liked most of the actors though, honestly, there was nothing special about any of them. Robert Patrick did do an excellent job of playing "Robert Patrick".

    But the writing! What a dismally stupid plot line. All of the passenger planes in southern California will crash or be shot down because of communications problems. Notes to pilots: Look out the window. Avoid other planes. Land your damn plane wherever you can find an airport big enough.
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  34. Sep 24, 2014
    3
    "Scorpion" is a largely forgettable show. The acting is alright, although it's severely miscast. However, the characters are boring, and the constant fake "geek-speak" was beyond annoying. Anyone who is even slightly tech-savvy will be even more aggravated. The show takes a "crime of the week" approach which wastes is slightly intriguing premise, and it becomes just another disposable"Scorpion" is a largely forgettable show. The acting is alright, although it's severely miscast. However, the characters are boring, and the constant fake "geek-speak" was beyond annoying. Anyone who is even slightly tech-savvy will be even more aggravated. The show takes a "crime of the week" approach which wastes is slightly intriguing premise, and it becomes just another disposable investigation show with terrible writing. Expand
  35. Oct 1, 2014
    2
    Updated: the second episode is now out, and maybe worse than the pilot. 'Single Point of Failure' is an apt term for this show, since the writers are the single point of failure. It continues to amaze me that people (the average viewer) will accept fantasies like a person walking up to a random laptop and within seconds of furiously typing on the keyboard, terminal windows come up as theUpdated: the second episode is now out, and maybe worse than the pilot. 'Single Point of Failure' is an apt term for this show, since the writers are the single point of failure. It continues to amaze me that people (the average viewer) will accept fantasies like a person walking up to a random laptop and within seconds of furiously typing on the keyboard, terminal windows come up as the person is magically writing code (all of which is nonsensical, if you watch the method names) which streams up the page and the genius quickly concludes that the virus is unique to this one laptop. I mean, MAYBE 3-4 seconds later. Seriously? CBS, you need to either jettison this show (which would be a shame) or jettison the writers. I vote to eject the writers. I'm dropping this from a 3 to a 2. When it gets to 1, I just quit.

    Originally: Sorry, I really wanted to like this, but it's so poorly written! The writers try to use big words and phrases and hope no one notices, and hope that we all just go along for the ride. However, anyone slightly tech-savvy will groan every time they hear something silly like "after I update the antenna driver to boost the signal" or "the backup will be overwritten in three minutes" or make assumptions like "restarting the server will be immediate."

    What's shocking is that this is the same network that produces Big Bang Theory, and who employs a talented and smart panel of writers who are VERY tech-savvy. Everything is checked with a physicist to make sure it's correct, the writers all call each other out over ridiculous ideas, and they ground their tech in reality, and THAT is what makes the show funny and believable: it's authentic, even for the super geniuses.

    Scorpion's writers don't seem to have the same funding. Their solutions are just ridiculous, and anyone with HALF their IQ will recognize it. Unfortunately, that aspect totally detracts from the show and story line, making it nearly impossible to watch the show without chuckling sadly about how stupid and unbelievable it is. I mean, if you consult with any FAA expert, you'd find that there are dozens of backups for how to get planes down with zero communications. The assumption that you'd need an expert computer hacker within 57 minutes to reboot the entire system, or 57 planes come crashing down, is just 57 ways of ludicrous.

    The actors themselves seem to do a great job and are likable (although the Asian girl is really hard to understand, like she's got paper in her mouth or something...), the general story concept is great, and KMP is a great cast for the show (as is her son), but it's just too implausible to make it stick.

    I will give it two more episodes, but at this point, I don't hold out much hope. Throw out your lazy writers and get talented new ones, with experts in the field, and then you will have a smart show.
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  36. Sep 29, 2014
    0
    A cliched group of supposedly super intelligent social dregs (and one normal waitress) are tasked with solving problems that none of the government's 3.8 million employees can.The main character is a hacker who was born and raised in Ireland but looks Indian and speaks with an American accent. A simple waitress is allowed onto the super secret team because her kid is really good at chess.A cliched group of supposedly super intelligent social dregs (and one normal waitress) are tasked with solving problems that none of the government's 3.8 million employees can.The main character is a hacker who was born and raised in Ireland but looks Indian and speaks with an American accent. A simple waitress is allowed onto the super secret team because her kid is really good at chess. A convict is allowed on the team because apparently all the statistician/mathematicians that don't break the law are tied up elsewhere.

    After about 20 minutes of this nonsense I'd had enough. The show just kept getting stupider by the minute.
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  37. Sep 24, 2014
    3
    This show misses the mark on both ends. While proving to be too nerdy for many it also fails on the high end as almost everything is implausible. My suspension of disbelief could make it past the first half of the premiere. The characters and acting is fine, this group of lesser known but familiar actors keeps distraction to a minimum, However, it's the writing that fails this show.This show misses the mark on both ends. While proving to be too nerdy for many it also fails on the high end as almost everything is implausible. My suspension of disbelief could make it past the first half of the premiere. The characters and acting is fine, this group of lesser known but familiar actors keeps distraction to a minimum, However, it's the writing that fails this show. This is my first bet to be a mid season cancellation. Too bad, I like the concept. Expand
  38. Sep 30, 2014
    0
    This show is supposed to be about geniuses, but it was clearly written by retards. Let's forget for a second that these so called hackers are using windows vista and they're using a lingo that even casual IT enthusiasts won't find believable, the whole plot is full of ridiculous ideas that no smart person would ever have. In a pilot, computer glitch crashed flight system and they had toThis show is supposed to be about geniuses, but it was clearly written by retards. Let's forget for a second that these so called hackers are using windows vista and they're using a lingo that even casual IT enthusiasts won't find believable, the whole plot is full of ridiculous ideas that no smart person would ever have. In a pilot, computer glitch crashed flight system and they had to get a backup from a plane, so instead of landing that plane, they had it fly over the landing strip not once, but twice, while they chased it in a ferrari to connect a lan cable. Yeah. Expand
  39. Sep 23, 2014
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show could be so good. The concept is great, the execution is horrible. I wouldn't exactly call Big Bang's focus on Sheldon's social problems subtle, but this show makes it seem that way. They don't show you the character's quirks, they drill them into your head via repetitive, sappy, unnecessary dialogue. We get it, they're smart but socially inept. Heard that story line plenty. Have the actors show us their quirks, their struggles, don't blatantly state it every 5 minutes. That is, unless the actors lack the depth to subtly show us their issues rather than relying on spelling it out multiple times an episode.

    Then there's the issue of the unnecessary action scenes (about what you would expect with a Fast and Furious alum directing). Can't communicate with the pilot of a plane? Call someone on board who is likely to have their phone on, have them give the phone to the pilot, and instruct him to land via phone right? WRONG. They have him fly 8 feet above the ground (again, if he can get within 8 feet, why not land?) while they drive 200 MPH underneath, with a waitress hanging out the top, while the co-pilot climbs down onto the landing gear to hand them an ethernet cable. All so that they can reconnect the radio and instruct him to land.
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  40. Oct 2, 2014
    1
    Really bad. Too much talk about unbelievable technology and the quirks of characters. The writers miss the simplest solutions to problems in order to overwhelm the audience with the spectacular. It misses.
  41. Sep 23, 2014
    0
    This is basically trash. Almost all of the actors are well known yet unrecognizable (except Robert Patrick), though they've pretty much all done some project that we remember; Elyes Gabel was on "GOT" and "Body of Proof" for one season each, Katherine McPhee had a once successful career as a singer (until 2010) and eventually starred in the now cancelled NBC series "Smash". The others,This is basically trash. Almost all of the actors are well known yet unrecognizable (except Robert Patrick), though they've pretty much all done some project that we remember; Elyes Gabel was on "GOT" and "Body of Proof" for one season each, Katherine McPhee had a once successful career as a singer (until 2010) and eventually starred in the now cancelled NBC series "Smash". The others, while having more minor roles are vaguely familiar.

    Other than that, the on screen chemistry between Elyes Gabel and Katherine McPhee is nonexistent, while the addition of Robert Patrick's character is basically worthless. This was over promoted and while it might survive for a full season, thanks to a boost from "The Big Bang Theory" for its first few airings, (or perhaps live to see a second season), I'm pretty sure that viewers will realize that this is a waste of an hour sooner rather than later.
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  42. Sep 23, 2014
    1
    The pilot episode of Scorpion was horrendous. Perhaps the producers should have consulted with someone that has actually worked within the Air Traffic Control system before basing a plot line of a completely implausible scenario? I get that people are expected to suspend belief for these shows but I kept waiting for that woman from that commercial to break in during the show screamingThe pilot episode of Scorpion was horrendous. Perhaps the producers should have consulted with someone that has actually worked within the Air Traffic Control system before basing a plot line of a completely implausible scenario? I get that people are expected to suspend belief for these shows but I kept waiting for that woman from that commercial to break in during the show screaming "THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS! THAT'S NOT HOW ANY OF THIS WORKS!".

    I guess these people have never heard of flying "VFR"? (visual flight rules). And, if you have plane flying around that needs to land and there is a problem where you can't reach a plane by radio but can magically contact the pilot by cell phone, why wouldn't you just tell the pilot to go ahead and land via the phone? No, instead we create the obligatory car chase scene so we can "fix" the radio and then use the radio to tell him to land.
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  43. Sep 25, 2014
    2
    The problems with shows like this is that the characters are usually smarter than the writers. Turn off grid power to defeat a cipher lock? Wow Einstein himself (who apparently would not be smart enough to make the cut on this team) would be amazed. CBS tends to wait longer before canceling shows but if this one lasts a month it will be a terrible waste of advertiser dollars.
  44. Sep 24, 2014
    3
    Geniuses for idiots._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  45. Oct 13, 2014
    3
    This show seemed interesting but 4 episodes into its 1st season I'm having a hard time staying interested. For one thing, I find Happy (Jadyn Wong) annoying. I can't understand half the things she says, not because she's saying things only a genius would understand but because of the way she speaks. She needs to learn to open her mouth and let the words out. They need to replace her orThis show seemed interesting but 4 episodes into its 1st season I'm having a hard time staying interested. For one thing, I find Happy (Jadyn Wong) annoying. I can't understand half the things she says, not because she's saying things only a genius would understand but because of the way she speaks. She needs to learn to open her mouth and let the words out. They need to replace her or just not give her too much to say. Expand
  46. Oct 16, 2014
    3
    I think this is a great idea for the show . but even with the interest for nerdy concepts this is beyond ridiculous.... guys why watch it this show, it is not going to make it for the second season . the thing i don't get it is , why the heck he is constantly bringing up Einstein in this.
  47. Oct 17, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I looked forward to this series but it was an utter let down.
    The useless writers have absolutely no idea how the world works and their only had the ending of the episode in mind, how they managed to get there or how many horrendous mistakes were made to get there were irrelevant to them. BUT NOT TO US VIEWERS!.

    Jlm978 has the airport angle pretty well covered so I'll not rehash that, but what ticked me off the most was that a tiny car speaker apparently has the power to erase a hard drive. Even a super powerful electromagnetic crane can't destroy a hard drive, so how can any speaker possibly achieve that?

    Secondly it was calculated that a 500 000v surge would disable the door lock. Apart from the fact that even if that surge destroyed the electronics in that lock it only took a couple of switch toggles to magically achieve that.

    This show is absolutely preposterous and have no link to reality.
    I like TV as much as the next man, but if I am so blatantly lied to, how do they expect me to enjoy it or continue watching?

    What they should have done is base it on a single kernel of truth and expand from that. Not thumb suck everything.

    I'll try the second episode tonight, but I do not have high hopes for this series. People don't like to be lied to this badly. I do hope tonight's episode redeems it, if not, it will be just another one series wonder.

    I do hope Sheldon Cooper makes fun of this in The Big Bang Theory.
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  48. Sep 23, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Worst pilot of all time. Hopefully gets better (I doubt it).
    PROS:
    Cool initial plot socially inept geniuses work to fight crime.

    CONS:
    Cast problems-
    Gabel hilariously miscast just thoroughly awkward.
    Jadyn's voice sounds like a stereotypical lesbian so basically out of place unless the character is lesbian (which then it makes sense).

    Plot holes-
    Why is Paige, played by Katharine McPhee, even in the show?! It seems forced. And it doesn't help that the 2 main actors/actresses Gabel & Katharine have NO CHEMISTRY...
    Eddie Thomas' character Toby sucks. I know he is the psych guy but why couldn't you just copy the Mentalist's character? Toby's thinking is just giant leaps of guess work.
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  49. Sep 23, 2014
    0
    I'm 74 years old, have been watching the tube since 1948, and can say with reasonable certainty that this debacle ranks near the very bottom of the myriad shows I've watched over the years. The premise, that of a small group of geniuses conscripted to help the DHS solve ultra-complicated cases, while titillating and even promising in concept, is miserably executed. The result is abysmal.I'm 74 years old, have been watching the tube since 1948, and can say with reasonable certainty that this debacle ranks near the very bottom of the myriad shows I've watched over the years. The premise, that of a small group of geniuses conscripted to help the DHS solve ultra-complicated cases, while titillating and even promising in concept, is miserably executed. The result is abysmal. If this turkey isn't cancelled before the first season's end, I'll be surprised.

    (I wonder how many viewers realize that the DHS has no sworn law enforcement (LE) agents of the kind so typically portrayed on this and other similar TV shows and in movies as well. Although this federal department is comprised of several LE agencies, the central secretariat has no LE function. So called HS special agents are really Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE special agents. Splitting hairs? Not really. I've never understood why script writers and screenwriters have never chosen to get it right.)
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  50. Oct 13, 2014
    2
    Wow. Tonight's episode; so stupid I feel dumb trying to explain things it gets wrong in first ten minutes. These geniuses need way smarter writers. Cast has some talent.
  51. Oct 16, 2014
    0
    bad bad, i give up, good idea crappy execution, and way too many cliches.. It will be cancelled very soon,, sadly CBS is pushing the Continous **** about Walter Charlatan O'Brien all the time..
  52. Nov 3, 2014
    0
    This show is supposed to be about a group of geniuses, but it is insulting to my intelligence, coming up with non viable solutions to problems that a third grader could pick apart, with the "comedy" of the show being based on the premise that all geniuses are socially maladaptive, to the point of not being able to run a business, while the person the show is supposedly based on ownsThis show is supposed to be about a group of geniuses, but it is insulting to my intelligence, coming up with non viable solutions to problems that a third grader could pick apart, with the "comedy" of the show being based on the premise that all geniuses are socially maladaptive, to the point of not being able to run a business, while the person the show is supposedly based on owns multiple successful businesses. This is nothing more than anti-intellectual bigotry microwaved for those who feel insecure (and if they find these technical solutions plausible, with just cause) about their own intellects. Expand
  53. Nov 8, 2014
    0
    This show could best be described as the most idiotic elements from Big Bang Theory thrown at the premise of Numb3rs and stirred until dead. I was really hoping it would be good, but poor acting, cheesy writing, and plot lines that destroy suspension of disbelief secure the show's doom. Vaguely scientific words that sound like they're being recited by a middle schooler who read a wikipediaThis show could best be described as the most idiotic elements from Big Bang Theory thrown at the premise of Numb3rs and stirred until dead. I was really hoping it would be good, but poor acting, cheesy writing, and plot lines that destroy suspension of disbelief secure the show's doom. Vaguely scientific words that sound like they're being recited by a middle schooler who read a wikipedia article do not a genius make, in TV or otherwise. Boooooo. Expand
  54. Nov 3, 2014
    3
    A show with a good premise but poor execution. I don't know how else to describe it, but boring. The writing isn't that good and tries to cover it up the shortcomings with tech jargon and the character development comes out as forced and a little simple. The dialogue isn't inspired at all and often comes out cheesy. The Pilot was okay, I guess, but it felt like the director got confusedA show with a good premise but poor execution. I don't know how else to describe it, but boring. The writing isn't that good and tries to cover it up the shortcomings with tech jargon and the character development comes out as forced and a little simple. The dialogue isn't inspired at all and often comes out cheesy. The Pilot was okay, I guess, but it felt like the director got confused between doing the episode and another Fast and Furious sequel. Bottom line is the show could be okay if the writing got better and the actors a little more excited about the project. Expand
  55. Nov 2, 2014
    2
    I like the show but feel it is going in the wrong direction with the waitress. Just write her out. She doesn't help the team and the story of a love interest between her and Walter would definitely be cheesy.
  56. Jan 14, 2017
    0
    Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce truc ? une série pour "teenagers" attardés et "geeks" coincés sur un écran bleu avec ce bon vieux T1000 retraité Robert Patrick qui a la lourde tâche de superviser une petite équipe de taches, de pauvres mongoliens de golios de **** retards auxquels il incombe de sauver l'Amérique de la menace terroriste, rien que ça !

    Pour te dire que dès le premier épisode,
    Qu'est-ce que c'est que ce truc ? une série pour "teenagers" attardés et "geeks" coincés sur un écran bleu avec ce bon vieux T1000 retraité Robert Patrick qui a la lourde tâche de superviser une petite équipe de taches, de pauvres mongoliens de golios de **** retards auxquels il incombe de sauver l'Amérique de la menace terroriste, rien que ça !

    Pour te dire que dès le premier épisode, super tronche de cake, il est trop intelligent : il pète son 197 de cul-hi dans ta face ! yo, cassé, comment il t'a caaaassséééé... trop bien en vérité, MacGyver dans les cordes ! Franchement et très honnêtement, regarder en entier le premier épisode tient de la gageure et imaginer ou tenter de concevoir qu'il reste une vingtaine d'épisodes après ce supplice est purement inconcevable. Vade retro cono satanas !
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  57. Nov 22, 2017
    3
    It's BAD or OK depending what you're looking for. definately has no realistic involvement anymore. Sort of sci-fi slice of life comedy with some drama. I guess you're either a fan or you trash it. Not a fan. But then again lots of people watching the kardashians so.. any show has a chance LOL
  58. Sep 11, 2016
    2
    For a movie that's supposed to picture a genius people, this movie has a dumb writer and it's meant to be enjoyed by 'low-IQ' people. There are so many facts that are wrong in this movie, while it's about someone who excels at science and tech, made it unbearable to watch for me; even though the plot might be enjoyable. I can't stand a writer that made a script where it says they couldn'tFor a movie that's supposed to picture a genius people, this movie has a dumb writer and it's meant to be enjoyed by 'low-IQ' people. There are so many facts that are wrong in this movie, while it's about someone who excels at science and tech, made it unbearable to watch for me; even though the plot might be enjoyable. I can't stand a writer that made a script where it says they couldn't get pass someone's firewall, but had his physical laptop already. Or invent something called 'router-hub' as their plot device. Why wouldn't they just stick with the real thing, it's not more complicated. Expand
  59. Feb 7, 2017
    1
    Oh why have I wasted so much time watching this show? Maybe because other episodes dealt with subject matter more foreign to me? Hence, I was gullible? This time the episode peripherally dealt with working boats, something about which I am familiar. Few sample nonsense points: 40' working boats are not powered by gas engines since dinosaurs walked the earth: diesel only. Diesel enginesOh why have I wasted so much time watching this show? Maybe because other episodes dealt with subject matter more foreign to me? Hence, I was gullible? This time the episode peripherally dealt with working boats, something about which I am familiar. Few sample nonsense points: 40' working boats are not powered by gas engines since dinosaurs walked the earth: diesel only. Diesel engines don't explode, though they will catch fire; Working boats have SOLUS self-inflating life rafts for the crew, complete with food and water; You don't walk the decks of a working boat 60NM at sea in elevated heels; submersibles (especially homemade ones do not progress at 20 knots; It took me years to qualify to run my 53" boat, now I'm no Walter O'Brien, but you still need time at sea. I guess in the next episode he will fly a Beech King Air (something I also know how to do after 700 hours) by reading the manual for 20 minutes. I think it's the same thing that pisses me off about the new MacGyver show. Who would believe that little limp-dick could do anything? Expand
  60. Jul 20, 2016
    0
    Walter O'Brien does NOT have an high IQ. His IQ claim is self reported.
    And he says he lost the test paper....
    Yeah. Right........ I have an IQ of 230 and I lost the test paper too! The acting is terrible and script is laughably predictable every single episode. Its like they looked at the hit show 'Big Bang Theory' and 'A-Team' but failed miserably to copy them. They have
    Walter O'Brien does NOT have an high IQ. His IQ claim is self reported.
    And he says he lost the test paper....
    Yeah. Right........
    I have an IQ of 230 and I lost the test paper too!

    The acting is terrible and script is laughably predictable every single episode.
    Its like they looked at the hit show 'Big Bang Theory' and 'A-Team' but failed miserably to copy them. They have copy/pasted Penny from Big Bang Theory as the sidekick of geniuses is a gal waitress...

    All in all, boring, predictable and not worth watching.
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  61. Oct 17, 2016
    0
    This has to be the dumbest show on TV. The plot is so stupid this should be a children's show! Blow up a torpedo to save someone falling from 20,000 feet into the ocean, really...
  62. Jun 14, 2017
    3
    Smart people, stupid scriptwriters. Just generic BLURGH formula that splurges out the occasional car chase or moment of 'intrigue'. Not worth watching.
Metascore
48

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 24
  2. Negative: 5 out of 24
  1. Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Sep 22, 2014
    50
    Eddie Kaye Thomas is fun as the occasionally felonious brainiac psychologist, but the rest of the characters are pretty one-dimensional, that one dimension being their social awkwardness.
  2. Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Sep 22, 2014
    50
    A very good idea but executed in the pilot with too much sap and manipulation.
  3. 30
    Scorpion tries to get action-heavy in its final act, with the brain trust preventing an aviation disaster at LAX, and for a brief interlude, the show has a glimmer of momentum--but it's undercut by how ludicrous the whole setup is, how unnatural the dialogue is, and how impossible it feels to care what happens to any of these people.