The Assets

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 2, 2014
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    Dec 31, 2013
    91
    The Assets isn't flashy, but boy, is it effective. It just grinds away, laying down intriguing details of "asset" care and feeding, made vivid through determined performances and intense crescendos.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Jan 2, 2014
    75
    It’s got some of the same appeal [as Scandal], but at its core, it’s a strong spy thriller with a few fascinating characters, not a splashy nighttime soap. And that’s okay.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Dec 30, 2013
    75
    Rhys and Whittaker are terrific and the two big reasons to watch the series.... Speaking of assets, credibility of the story is nicely enhanced by muted cinematography and art direction, emphasizing that catching spies is done by nondescript men and women who lead seemingly normal lives and work in under-decorated offices deciphering codes and other information.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Jan 2, 2014
    70
    It is tonally odd yet quite likable.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Dec 31, 2013
    70
    A scripted eight-part miniseries from a subdivision of ABC News, “The Assets” is an unexpectedly good placeholder for regular time-period-occupant “Scandal,” if perhaps a little too slow-going to connect with that show’s “OMG TV” crowd.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 3 out of 15
  1. jeremyp
    Jan 11, 2014
    5
    An interesting tale made dull and stolid by poor writing, listless direction, and a largely Brit cast. Le Carre or Deighton it ain't. I'mAn interesting tale made dull and stolid by poor writing, listless direction, and a largely Brit cast. Le Carre or Deighton it ain't. I'm hoping with all the different directors and writers it'll get some life.… Full Review »
  2. carold
    Oct 2, 2014
    4
    Good and potentially compelling concept made into soap opera quality by wooden acting mixed with overly-emotional, huskily-whispered or loudlyGood and potentially compelling concept made into soap opera quality by wooden acting mixed with overly-emotional, huskily-whispered or loudly argued exchanges between CIA personnel. In what world is it that every CEO or head doctor or chief of staff is a very young, perfectly made-up, blond woman? Jodie Whittaker may be a good actress, but in this series, she comes off as quite unbelievable as a major player in the CIA. It may be the directing, it may be the producers, or everyone involved, but making a potentially tense, political drama into another witless, poorly acted series was not a brilliant idea.… Full Review »
  3. Mydogsamjack
    Aug 3, 2014
    9
    This was an incredible telling of a story I remembered from the headlines. It was exciting and enthralling. Every bit as thrilling asThis was an incredible telling of a story I remembered from the headlines. It was exciting and enthralling. Every bit as thrilling as Netflix's House of Cards. Best series I've seen in a long time.… Full Review »
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