The Assets

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 2, 2014
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
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User Reviews

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  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'm hoping with all the different directors and writers it'll get some life.
  2. BogKid
    Jan 10, 2014
    3
    Fascinating story which I remember from its actual occurrence years ago. The problems I have with this show stem from its incredibly uneven and confusing writing and a level of acting that barely exceeds afternoon soap opera standards. The Americans all seem a bit stupid (except for our heroine) but considering how obvious Aldrich Ames's unexplained new wealth was maybe that is true.Fascinating story which I remember from its actual occurrence years ago. The problems I have with this show stem from its incredibly uneven and confusing writing and a level of acting that barely exceeds afternoon soap opera standards. The Americans all seem a bit stupid (except for our heroine) but considering how obvious Aldrich Ames's unexplained new wealth was maybe that is true. The Russians are all gruff and insulting and, well, "comic Russian".

    I will continue to watch the series only because the actual events fascinated me but I feel that this production belongs more on a high school stage than on a major TV network.    … Expand
  3. Ariadne
    Jan 29, 2014
    6
    The night I taped this pilot we had a power outage, so I had to search up the episode on the network website. It was okay. The story is interesting, but the actors are boring. It did remind me, however, that I'm glad the 80s, with their shoulder pads, punk rock styles and perms are over, so A+ for costuming.

    So much of the show seemed to be in dark light. It was almost as if they    The night I taped this pilot we had a power outage, so I had to search up the episode on the network website. It was okay. The story is interesting, but the actors are boring. It did remind me, however, that I'm glad the 80s, with their shoulder pads, punk rock styles and perms are over, so A+ for costuming.

    So much of the show seemed to be in dark light. It was almost as if they had found an old copy of a film from the 80s, but forgot to restore it for HD TV.

    I will say this, though. I will be buying the book. This is about an important part of American history and having a chance to understand it from the viewpoint of the people who were there is worth the price of a book.    … Expand
  4. hfmadison
    Jun 4, 2014
    8
    I was extremely disappointed to find that The Assets had been cancelled so abruptly after only two episodes. In my opinion, it had the potential to be a great series. I do wonder what the real reason is for it being cancelled so abruptly.
  5. netrc
    Jul 8, 2014
    9
    Great acting and solid story. Underpromoted by network suits, it didn't get a big audience. A shame, as the true story is well told and convincingly portrayed with good period details (80s). Best bet is to wait for it to show up on Netflix or Hulu and watch the whole thing through.
  6. 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 as Netflix's House of Cards. Best series I've seen in a long time.
  7. 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 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 quiteGood 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.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Mar 27, 2014
    58
    In Assets, I wanted more about Ames and his motives--and maybe that will come later--but this is Grimes’ story, right down to how her job affected her home life.
    Read full review
  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Jan 9, 2014
    50
    The series, unevenly written, frequently given to strange tonal lapses, is nevertheless lively, its dramatization of events abetted by its setting.
    Read full review
  3. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Jan 2, 2014
    60
    Not a brilliant effort, but worth a look.
    Read full review
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