The Ark

:

Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 1, 2023
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
50

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
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Critic Reviews

  1. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Nick Allen
    Jan 31, 2023
    80
    “The Ark” is a nifty problem-solver sci-fi show, made digestible by shameless stock dialogue mixed with plenty of cliffhanger moments.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Angie Han
    Jan 31, 2023
    70
    The Ark may never be admired for its thematic profundity, or its brave ideas, or its nuanced character development. But by the fourth hourlong episode sent to critics (of a 12-episode season), it finds its own groove as a bit of exciting, undemanding fun.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Reviewed by: Kathryn Porter
    Feb 1, 2023
    65
    It’s an easy watch, it doesn’t make you use your brain an unreasonable amount, and it has a good premise that is easy to follow and care about. It isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and it should not aim to. The best part about it is that it’s exactly what someone should expect if they flip to Syfy.

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Most Discussed TV Season of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 6 out of 10
  1. Doctor_Huw
    Feb 3, 2023
    2
    Another attempted space opera. Weak even by the standards of past SyFy garbage like the now-legendary Sharknado, but without the campy humor.Another attempted space opera. Weak even by the standards of past SyFy garbage like the now-legendary Sharknado, but without the campy humor. Almost 20 years ago, Battlestar Galactica showed how sci-fi could get space opera right. And the special effects of that series — 2 decades ago — were far better than the absurdly bad effects of "The Ark." The effects in Ark are roughly on a par with those of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" — 40 years ago. Terrible. The acting lifts it out of a 1 or a 0. Barely. But how do you rate passable acting with abysmal characters?

    This does suggest a new game — SyFy bingo. List the garbage gimmicks that SyFy execs love — cookie cutter characters; terrible, outdated effects; idiotic backstories; pseudo-political seriousness; plot holes a 5 year old could see; etc. Array them on a card. See who gets bingo first. It should take about 10 minutes. The catch is, you may not be able to bear watching that long.    … Full Review »
  2. Smae2
    Feb 18, 2023
    10
    This is not a top budget Sci-fi like discovery, nor does it have the most experienced actors going. If you're here for SFX or the best costumeThis is not a top budget Sci-fi like discovery, nor does it have the most experienced actors going. If you're here for SFX or the best costume design, you're going to be disappointed.

    I recall watching The Pilot for Star Trek (TOS), episode 1 of The Ark is far better. This will mature over time and find its feet.

    After the first 10 minutes or so, where I had to set some expectations aside it manages to find some kind of stability. As an attempt to break into the Sci-fi world, of which there is precious little content this looks promising. I should note that Jonathan Glassner of SG-1 heritage is onboard with this.

    As far as the acting goes, I actually feel it's quite realistic, there are mistakes and bad decisions everywhere, which ties into the general premise. This doesn't seem to have the general mary sue that some sci-fi shows suffer from.

    Don't let the reviews put you off giving this a chance.

    I'm giving it full marks because I thoroughly enjoyed it.    … Full Review »
  3. nholmes22
    Feb 7, 2023
    0
    Bad graphics, bad plot, generic troupes, I couldn't make it more than 10 minutes in.
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