State of Affairs

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 17, 2014
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 69
  3. Negative: 21 out of 69
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Expand

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. ana_melinte90
    Dec 18, 2014
    10
    This show is great! And Katherine Heigl really managed to impress me with her performance on this one. I don't get why this show is rated so poorly...
  2. Shawna
    Feb 19, 2015
    10
    After a very poor Pilot episode that was poorly written and very jumbled, I'm glad I continued to watch this serious. I am very impressed with the continuous improvement of the show and it is the perfect mixture of exciting, political, and suspenseful. I'm thoroughly enjoying this show and don't really understand everyones problem with Katherine Heigl's lead. I think she is a good fit.
  3. Outside_The_Box
    Jan 17, 2015
    8
    I agree with @Lisa24... Did any of you even watch the show? I feel like there is no way we can be talking about the same thing. I grew up on 24 and since its disappearance I have needed a way to get my weekly dose of government "badassery". To be honest, I was scared to give this show a chance. A lot of times females come off as "playing" tough and it gets boring, but I loved Greys back inI agree with @Lisa24... Did any of you even watch the show? I feel like there is no way we can be talking about the same thing. I grew up on 24 and since its disappearance I have needed a way to get my weekly dose of government "badassery". To be honest, I was scared to give this show a chance. A lot of times females come off as "playing" tough and it gets boring, but I loved Greys back in the day so I gave this a try. From the first episode I was hooked! It is a rare day when a television show can hook me so quickly... And I found myself unable to sleep at night wanting to know what happens next! Hope this gets a season two!!!… Expand
  4. dejour
    Nov 28, 2014
    7
    I've watched the first 2 episodes and it is okay. It seems like a poor version of Homeland so far. I think Heigl's character might be a problem - I'm having trouble rooting for her and have trouble relating to her (unlike Danes in Homeland).

    Good enough to keep watching for now, but I could see myself abandoning it after a few episodes if I don't get more drawn in.
  5. Bonnie20
    Jan 28, 2015
    10
    I like this show a lot. It will probably not make it just because every time I like a show it gets cancelled. No wonder I don't normally watch prime time TV.... Please don't cancel State of Affairs!!!
  6. hardsell
    Mar 3, 2015
    10
    One of the best shows on TV. Better than "Homeland", which I don't think is that great anyway. More entertaining than "The Blacklist", which doesn't really hold my interest. It's more realistic than many similar programs.
  7. rricka
    Mar 14, 2015
    10
    I too don't understand why this show is rated poorly. This show has been great since the very first episode. Katherine Heigl does an excellent job of acting and the show is very well written. My husband and I both watch the show and not only does it hold both of our interest but we can't wait until the next episode to see what's going to happen next. We will be very disappointed if it isI too don't understand why this show is rated poorly. This show has been great since the very first episode. Katherine Heigl does an excellent job of acting and the show is very well written. My husband and I both watch the show and not only does it hold both of our interest but we can't wait until the next episode to see what's going to happen next. We will be very disappointed if it is cancelled.… Expand
  8. Lisa24
    Nov 19, 2014
    8
    Did you people who voted with such low numbers even watch the show? It wasn't Game of Thrones, bit it wasn't as bad as you made it out to be. It is far better than any reality show out there and better than 95% of the sitcoms. Katherine Heigl is not my favorite actress but she was fine. I think I need a little time to adjust because I am used to seeing her play less than brilliantDid you people who voted with such low numbers even watch the show? It wasn't Game of Thrones, bit it wasn't as bad as you made it out to be. It is far better than any reality show out there and better than 95% of the sitcoms. Katherine Heigl is not my favorite actress but she was fine. I think I need a little time to adjust because I am used to seeing her play less than brilliant characters. The story is actually quite interesting.… Expand
  9. Jbingham
    Nov 23, 2014
    9
    I am eternally flummoxed by people who always expect a show to be something that it is not. Let's be very candid, "State of affairs" isn't meant to be nothing more than CIA porn. If you expect it to be anything else you are going to be disappointed. That being said if you are looking for good CIA TV you are going to love the show. Katherine does a marvelous job of staying on top of herI am eternally flummoxed by people who always expect a show to be something that it is not. Let's be very candid, "State of affairs" isn't meant to be nothing more than CIA porn. If you expect it to be anything else you are going to be disappointed. That being said if you are looking for good CIA TV you are going to love the show. Katherine does a marvelous job of staying on top of her character and her supporting cast or what you would expect from a politically motivated drama. This may not be the best show on TV but it is included in my eight hours I have a lot myself per week. I think you will get a great viewing experience if you going to the show with the correct expectations. It seems like everyone wants to be wowed every minute of their day but this is classic entertainment.… Expand
  10. LamontRaymond
    Nov 19, 2014
    5
    Not as terrible as I expected it would be. In fact, after watching the pilot, I might have to go one more episode. We're letting it ride, people - going one episode at a time, here.
  11. TheKiddy
    Dec 20, 2014
    3
    The lead Catherine Heigl seems so uncomfortable and miscast, like a cheer leader pretending to be a spy or pretending to be an actress pretending to be a spy. I admit to not watching a whole lot of broadcast TV shows: I'm more of a cable kinda gal. But I am enthralled by Scandal and this is no Scandal -- and this character (as played) is no Olivia Pope.
  12. ElizabethW43
    Nov 18, 2014
    7
    Lets give this show a chance. Maybe 6 episodes to see if they can develop this into something a little better than the pilot episode. Agree they need to cut back on number of producers and maybe focus more on their writers. I enjoyed last nights viewing and share some of the critics observations for example the excessive partying. Not likely a real CIA analyst would get away with this.Lets give this show a chance. Maybe 6 episodes to see if they can develop this into something a little better than the pilot episode. Agree they need to cut back on number of producers and maybe focus more on their writers. I enjoyed last nights viewing and share some of the critics observations for example the excessive partying. Not likely a real CIA analyst would get away with this. Networks tend not to give shows enough time to find an audience. I am going to give it an overall good score.… Expand
  13. maeganbeth
    Nov 18, 2014
    1
    Ugh. I had such high hopes for this show. I couldn't even get through the episode. The show is poorly written and is boring and so predictable. The actors don't really bring anything to the table and the episode didn't accomplish much of anything.
  14. Darth_Slacker
    Nov 18, 2014
    1
    Dear God - Either Comcast has money to burn or NBC lost a bet? It's shortly put- a cliche'd jumbled mess. In a world of strong female TV characters: Olivia Dunham "Fringe", Liz Keen "The Black List", Lt. Mills "Sleepy Hollow", Jada Pinkett on "Gotham"- even the wise cracking girls from "2 Broke Girls" have more depth and service their narratives better than Heigl plays a CIA secret weaponDear God - Either Comcast has money to burn or NBC lost a bet? It's shortly put- a cliche'd jumbled mess. In a world of strong female TV characters: Olivia Dunham "Fringe", Liz Keen "The Black List", Lt. Mills "Sleepy Hollow", Jada Pinkett on "Gotham"- even the wise cracking girls from "2 Broke Girls" have more depth and service their narratives better than Heigl plays a CIA secret weapon for the 1st female pres.
    This entire event explodes all over it self pushing all these buttons with bells & whistles that it's disturbing to think NBC thinks viewers are this impressed by the visual & not the substance of what could make this experience something to sing about. The components are there. The production value is present. Sadly this pilot plays like a Facebook page saying "Do you like this?" an "You like this?" and here's this cliche' - No, No, no.

    BUILD me something! It's a Journey! Walk me through your narrative - it should be an organic unfolding of characters in conflict & resolutions NOT, glamourized fan-fiction about what you think certain people want to see. Even the popcorn comic book shows on the CW take the time to grow their conflicts & characters instead of just exploding & button pushing.

    This could have been a cool sister show to "The Black List" or given Heigl some new depth as an enigmatic actress but it really just seems to want to look good more than be about something. "Lost" was intentionally vague! but it pulled you in - This is in your face but gives you nothing but "look at this!" - which is fine but what if you want substance & not cliche'd offerings. Heigls easy to look at but they did nothing to get me to look past the fact that it's Heigl. 1st female Prez - ok but so what? make the show about her then - she at least didn't seem to think I was a an idiot.    … Expand
  15. alangee
    Nov 25, 2014
    1
    How bad can a TV drama be? Find out in State of Affairs. This show is a joke that takes itself far too seriously. It's all smoke and mirrors with no substance, no heart, no logic and totally unlikeable characters. And talk about "nepotism"! Heigl's character was engaged to the president's son. Holy unreal melodrama. I'm not sure which is worse, the acting or the writing. This has to be theHow bad can a TV drama be? Find out in State of Affairs. This show is a joke that takes itself far too seriously. It's all smoke and mirrors with no substance, no heart, no logic and totally unlikeable characters. And talk about "nepotism"! Heigl's character was engaged to the president's son. Holy unreal melodrama. I'm not sure which is worse, the acting or the writing. This has to be the worst new show of the year.… Expand
  16. docjohn
    Dec 1, 2014
    0
    Just because Madame Secretary is a hit, NBC decided they could do the same with K.H. Their attempt to compete didn't come close. Watched once and have not watched since.
  17. dbee
    Dec 8, 2014
    1
    What a pity that Catherine Heigel didn't hold on to her job with Grey's Anatomy... every since she left, her work, believability, and talent has gone down hill. She looks like a ditzy Barbie Doll on SOA. Pony tails? Hot pink lipstick? Seriously? She's 'playing at' being a DC political figure and it's **** boring, and full of cotton candy fluff. Ugh. Good luck with future gigs Cathy...
  18. talonps1
    Feb 3, 2015
    0
    Seriously, some series got canceled and this POS is made. If anything is ever true in hollywood it's this...TV and Movie execs are so drugged up and retarded they develop shows only people with limited intelligence truly enjoy anymore.

    Case in point, this show and the 600 million copies of CSI and Law & Order shows, absolutely pathetic.
  19. Pookster
    Dec 3, 2014
    1
    Nobody expected this to be good, or realistic; and by now, nobody expects much from Katherine Heigl as an actress. From that perspective, perhaps the show overachieves the rock bottom expectations for it. Still, even in the genre of Washingtonian fantasy, wannabe-wonk-porn shows like West Wing or The Newsroom, this is awful. I worked in DC for years, had friends working in the White House,Nobody expected this to be good, or realistic; and by now, nobody expects much from Katherine Heigl as an actress. From that perspective, perhaps the show overachieves the rock bottom expectations for it. Still, even in the genre of Washingtonian fantasy, wannabe-wonk-porn shows like West Wing or The Newsroom, this is awful. I worked in DC for years, had friends working in the White House, CIA, DOJ, State, Pentagon, and I'm not applying an expectation of "reality" to this, only that the fantasy stay within some cognizable bounds of plausibility. Even if you're going to make a show about vampires or werewolves, for example, viewers understand they're not "real" -- most do, I hope -- yet you have to stay within some bounds of the accepted context for your premises, right? This is simply bad, no way around it.… Expand
  20. chrismovieguy
    Nov 19, 2014
    4
    The show was good enough didn't really keep my interest as much as I had hoped n b c has kindof failed on this one I am sad to say I d k how much I will actually watch of this
  21. dymond
    Dec 1, 2014
    1
    I knew I wasn't going to like this, I didn't even like the previews. Still, I gave it a chance, but I couldn't get through the first episode. Katherine Heigl doesn't work in this role.
  22. Thebuzz
    Dec 1, 2014
    1
    Wrong actors, script writer trying to imitate current events, NBC is so cheap they squeak, they ruined all their networks TV programs with bad scripts, cheap actors, to much SGI...SyFy was good now it's junk, an example of poor management, squeezing out every dollar, no quality at all...
  23. yinker
    Dec 2, 2014
    3
    I was indifferent about State of Affairs until i watched the third episode. The representation of the kidnapped chibouk Nigerian girls of the show and the characterization of the Nigerian Government to be afraid of the terrorist group and corrupt is too judgmental and insensitive. I like Katherine Heigl from Greys Anatomy and i was looking forward to the show because of her but now i don'tI was indifferent about State of Affairs until i watched the third episode. The representation of the kidnapped chibouk Nigerian girls of the show and the characterization of the Nigerian Government to be afraid of the terrorist group and corrupt is too judgmental and insensitive. I like Katherine Heigl from Greys Anatomy and i was looking forward to the show because of her but now i don't know if i want to continue watching the show.… Expand
  24. Flibbity
    Dec 3, 2014
    2
    I have always liked Katherine Hegel. That said, what happened? Her character is so stiff and angry with little or no saving graces. Too smug, too self righteous, too stiff. I'll watch a series because I like the character or admire the character, neither of these emotions are felt watching this show. It is ok to be strong and resolved but the likability factor is missing. Come onI have always liked Katherine Hegel. That said, what happened? Her character is so stiff and angry with little or no saving graces. Too smug, too self righteous, too stiff. I'll watch a series because I like the character or admire the character, neither of these emotions are felt watching this show. It is ok to be strong and resolved but the likability factor is missing. Come on Katherine, I know you can do better! Smile as though you mean it, not as though you want to bite someone's head off and spit it at the director! Show a little humanity!… Expand
  25. poolsrgame
    Dec 7, 2014
    5
    From what I can hear, the show has good plots. I find it very hard to understand what everyone is saying with the constant background music playing during the show and then the actors/actresses talking so low. And I have very good hearing, so that's not the problem.
  26. erom1943
    Mar 7, 2015
    10
    I don't understand all the negative reviews, unless you just don't like Katherine Heigl. If you're like me, and like all the CIA mumbo jumbo, this is great. Add the political intrigue, and this show is a winner for me. Time slot may hinder its popularity though.
  27. 1206butler
    Feb 17, 2015
    9
    I can't understand why this show gets such poor reviews. Since arriving in the US 6 months ago (from the UK), it's one of the few shows I look forward to watching every week. It goes some way to filling the hole left after 24 went off air. Katherine does a great job and has a good supporting cast. What's not to like? After the cliffhanger ending to Season 1, i'll be pretty miffed ifI can't understand why this show gets such poor reviews. Since arriving in the US 6 months ago (from the UK), it's one of the few shows I look forward to watching every week. It goes some way to filling the hole left after 24 went off air. Katherine does a great job and has a good supporting cast. What's not to like? After the cliffhanger ending to Season 1, i'll be pretty miffed if they cancel this show. Give it a chance!… Expand
  28. MrMiniCooper
    Mar 2, 2015
    10
    One of the best shows the past years. It is almost as good as Homeland and it equals Legend, Strike Back and other "secret agent shows". It would really be a shame if there wouldn't be a 2nd season.
  29. mgauss
    Apr 12, 2015
    10
    Great show. Good drama. Great faces. Critics are jeaulous. Beter than Homeland. Like the pace. Like the story. Keep it going. Really like it. Like the middle east stories.
  30. heidimay
    May 8, 2015
    10
    I love this show. i record, watch and rewind just want to make sure i didn't miss anything.My first time writting review on anything. Guess it's time to speak up. I Love this show

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
43

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 28
  3. Negative: 9 out of 28
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Nov 20, 2014
    50
    The show is modestly exciting, at the very least watchable, and has network-quality production values, though no discernible filmmaking personality to speak of.
    Read full review
  2. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Zach Hollwedel
    Nov 20, 2014
    55
    Heigl's serviceable, and the show's writing is fun enough that, as long as audiences don't expect the next great political thriller, State of Affairs could be a worthwhile way to spend the concluding hours of a Monday night.
    Read full review
  3. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Nov 18, 2014
    40
    State of Affairs is not quite a pulpy thrill ride, not quite an addictive melodrama and not quite a serious, searching drama.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »