The Brink

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 21, 2015
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 79
  3. Negative: 7 out of 79
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User Reviews

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  1. jezmos
    Jun 22, 2015
    0
    Not intelligent enough to be a watchable drama and not funny enough to be a watchable comedy, 'The Brink' is an appallingly shallow piece of television. The plot appears to be based on a literal reading of the Bush Doctrine, with a mad, fundamentalist Pakistani threatening Israel and the only possible response being the use of U.S. military muscle. And that, to me, is the worst aspect ofNot intelligent enough to be a watchable drama and not funny enough to be a watchable comedy, 'The Brink' is an appallingly shallow piece of television. The plot appears to be based on a literal reading of the Bush Doctrine, with a mad, fundamentalist Pakistani threatening Israel and the only possible response being the use of U.S. military muscle. And that, to me, is the worst aspect of this show: while it tries to present itself as satire, it actually functions to reinforce the idea that the mad Muslims pose an existential threat to the U.S. and its allies. So even when jokes are being made about Lockheed Martin and the military industrial complex, I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that Lockheed Martin was one of the funders of the show. Cliche-ridden garbage.… Expand
  2. BillJustBill
    Jun 22, 2015
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Watched most of the pilot episode before deleting the balance of it and cancelling "record the series."
    The show is so unwatchable and embarrassing in so many ways. What could possibly have been the premise of the show? "Let's make something that shows that every person in any position of authority is completely corrupt and narcissistic, obsessed with sex and drugs and their own immediate gratification to the exclusion of all else and certainly that will be funny." Another creative genius adds, "Wow. Hilarious! And how about the Navy pilots? Let's characterize them as, basically, idiots, hooked on uppers, then when they take something else by mistake and they are in their jet planes on an important mission, won't that be the funniest thing you've ever seen?" It's as if the show not only is tailored to 12-year-old suburban disenfranchised boys, it's as if the entire creative staff is alienated, disillusioned 12-year-old boys. Why can't anyone involved in producing this show ask any key questions, such as "Why is VEEP so hilariously funny and why does our show lie there and stink like a forgotten corpse? Certainly they didn't set out to make something so awful, so there must be some valuable lessons learned from understanding how things went so terribly wrong. Maybe if they watched a season of "Episodes" they would begin to understand. Or not. Maybe it's not possible to get there from here.    … Expand
  3. papadrew7
    Jul 2, 2015
    0
    There are no redeeming qualities about this show at all. The whole thing feels rushed and the comedy just falls right on its face. The show is trying to do way too much in its half hour show of telling a story and developing characters and trying to be funny and none of it works. There is nothing funny about a show about corrupt, worthless, government officials that THINK they are funny.There are no redeeming qualities about this show at all. The whole thing feels rushed and the comedy just falls right on its face. The show is trying to do way too much in its half hour show of telling a story and developing characters and trying to be funny and none of it works. There is nothing funny about a show about corrupt, worthless, government officials that THINK they are funny. There is nothing funny about World War 3. You wouldn't expect this quality of a show from HBO but here we are. I give a big fat 0 rating.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 30
  3. Negative: 7 out of 30
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Jul 5, 2015
    60
    The series keeps generally on the right side of things by virtue of the excellence and exuberance of the performances, which add flesh where needed; by moving fast enough to keep ahead of your second thoughts; and by spreading the ridiculousness around.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Melissa Maerz
    Jun 30, 2015
    67
    Black spends too much time hugging with his eyebrows raised, and the writers go for easy jokes. [3 Jul 2015]
  3. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Jun 22, 2015
    100
    The Brink is whip-smart, featuring actors who know how to play comedy. This one’s a joy to watch.
    Read full review
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