• 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. Negative: 21 out of 69
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User Reviews

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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
  11. 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.
  12. 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
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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
Metascore
43

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 28
  2. Negative: 9 out of 28
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.