Scorpion

:

Season 1
  • 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. Positive: 144 out of 268
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 268
  3. Negative: 86 out of 268
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  1. redrocksprof
    Nov 4, 2014
    7
    Not bad for mindless entertainment. It's cute even if it isn't terribly realistic. It is one of our DVR back ups when our main shows have been watched. Would much rather watch this than all those nasty murder shows on the air now (which I really hope for humanity's sake aren't realistic either). Scorpion is , however, a terrible waste of Katharine McPhee's talents. Her work in Smash wasNot bad for mindless entertainment. It's cute even if it isn't terribly realistic. It is one of our DVR back ups when our main shows have been watched. Would much rather watch this than all those nasty murder shows on the air now (which I really hope for humanity's sake aren't realistic either). Scorpion is , however, a terrible waste of Katharine McPhee's talents. Her work in Smash was so good; she should be singing and dancing.… Expand
  2. Trose
    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
  3. Milord56
    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
  4. MeritCoba
    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.    … Expand
  5. Qgal5kap
    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?
  6. skbxo
    Nov 9, 2014
    10
    I agree that the pilot was terrible but I love this show because it serves its purpose which is escape from reality. It's also probably not good that the show pretty much has a happy ending every episode but I kinda like that. That's why this show is unique.
  7. dyshpo
    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
  8. AMGardener
    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
  9. Ha321
    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
  10. smb12321
    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.    … Expand
  11. Kevlar101
    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.    … Expand
  12. Brainiacmaniac
    Nov 12, 2014
    9
    This is extremely entertaining. Some people are looking for extreme accuracy.....come on people it's a TV show. If you are looking for accuracy get another Degree. It's just entertainment and my opinion is let's see some more seasons.
  13. Rabso
    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?)    … Expand
  14. StrangeShrimp82
    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
  15. happygolucky
    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
  16. Candycandy
    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.
  17. MaxUsername
    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.
  18. Morganf16
    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
  19. harshcritics
    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.    … Expand
  20. bkristman
    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.
  21. BlackyE1128
    Oct 20, 2017
    10
    There is a lot of fiction there; however I like the loyalty, care and team work. I did not like much when Page was acting bad with Walter, going out with Tim, finally things change for the best, wondering when is going to be the continue of the the show. I think still have more to give.
  22. Papamomotte
    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 !
  23. Fierylynx
    Oct 21, 2014
    7
    I completely enjoyed the "McGyver" and "A-Team" type shows of the 80's and am OK having more shows like them. I watch shows like that as entertainment and to escape - not as documentaries - so I'm OK with suspending a little reality. However, that being said, the Scorpion writers could stand using a consultant or two - especially for the tech and psychobabble. Entertainment is betterI completely enjoyed the "McGyver" and "A-Team" type shows of the 80's and am OK having more shows like them. I watch shows like that as entertainment and to escape - not as documentaries - so I'm OK with suspending a little reality. However, that being said, the Scorpion writers could stand using a consultant or two - especially for the tech and psychobabble. Entertainment is better if you don't have to fight quite so hard to get past the flaws (think ER). Here are my 2 biggest issues:
    1: For an uber-brilliant dude who can't fit into society Walter has too many flashes of "TV drama hero" (think the firefighters on Chicago Fire, or even DiNozzo from NCIS). If he feels he must emulate someone like that he should think at least a little more like NCIS's McGee instead! The problem with coming on after Big Bang is the audience may have a tendency to think of "Sheldon" when relating to an incredibly smart person with social issues and Walter is not Sheldon. But neither is he a seasoned agent/officer/criminal investigator. BBT moving back to Thursday's may help a little in that aspect but they need to help Walter find his own character and fit.
    2: Happy's voice. I can't stand listening to that woman speak. That character and set of skills could be filled in so many different ways, why her? I understand the need to give Paige (our "normal" character) another female to bond with - so go get a different actress.

    Mostly, the writers need to use more consultants and we need to allow the group to gel and the show to grow (and please God, make them stop saying how smart they are all the time - we get it!). Give it a full season or two - some of the best shows out there were slow starters.    … Expand
  24. serious_critic
    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!!!!!    … Expand
  25. nang
    Nov 25, 2014
    10
    This is a great show--please don't quit watching, because it keeps getting better. The characters may have been a little stiff at first, but they are supposed to be, remember? They are awkward geniuses, duh. The characters are growing, we're learning more about them, and we genuinely care about them. Each episode reveals a bit more of their personality and back story. Latest episode,This is a great show--please don't quit watching, because it keeps getting better. The characters may have been a little stiff at first, but they are supposed to be, remember? They are awkward geniuses, duh. The characters are growing, we're learning more about them, and we genuinely care about them. Each episode reveals a bit more of their personality and back story. Latest episode, Talismans, was great! This is a show that is actually family friendly and fun.… Expand
  26. TrissaLee
    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.
  27. MrQRO
    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
  28. BigBiggo
    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
  29. Bgrod
    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.
  30. kjt75
    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.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
24
#24 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
48

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 24
  3. Negative: 5 out of 24
  1. Newark Star-Ledger
    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.
    Read full review
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Sep 22, 2014
    50
    A very good idea but executed in the pilot with too much sap and manipulation.
    Read full review
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Margaret Lyons
    Sep 22, 2014
    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.
    Read full review
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