The Cape

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 9, 2011
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 25
  3. Negative: 5 out of 25
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Critic Reviews

  1. Zap2it (Inside the Box)
    Reviewed by: Jethro Nededog
    Jan 9, 2011
    60
    Whether you like it or not depends on your ability to leap with the show. We won't lie, though. While the pilot is well-executed, once we get into hour two of NBC's planned two hour premiere, we got the feeling that this may be too much of a good thing in one sitting.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Sarah Rodman
    Jan 6, 2011
    60
    While little about The Cape could be deemed fresh - from its noir-ish "Dark Knight"-esque color palette to the sometimes boilerplate dialogue - the show has several elements going for it.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Jan 6, 2011
    60
    Like any good graphic novel, The Cape doesn't forget to sometimes be funny. It also at times asks us to suspend disbelief.
  5. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jan 6, 2011
    58
    NBC's The Cape aspires to be "The Dark Knight" but unfurls more like the campy 1960s "Batman" TV series.
  6. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Jan 11, 2011
    50
    Every time he flaps into view in his baggy hoodedness, he looks like Batman in need of a tailor. [17 Jan 2011, p.40]
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  7. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Chuck Barney
    Jan 9, 2011
    50
    Unfortunately, The Cape fails to fly. Lyons has all the charisma of a fence post, and the leaden scripts bring no fresh twists to the genre.
  8. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    Jan 9, 2011
    50
    As much as they have at stake, neither Vince nor Dana is as much fun to watch as Max. Master of the arched eyebrow and the sly grin, Max is better than a circus act.
  9. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    Jan 9, 2011
    50
    Show creator Tom Wheeler goes a little heavy with the overwrought dialogue (sample line: "It's not all corrupt! One man can still make a difference!"), but he has a sense of humor that emerges more in the second episode.
  10. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Jan 6, 2011
    50
    It's lighter than "Heroes," but also less coherent. Still, fans of Summer Glau (you know who you are) probably won't be able to resist.
  11. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jan 9, 2011
    42
    What's supposed to be a taut and many-splendored mythical yarn in league with Heroes instead registers as a topsy turvy laughable feast complete with chapter titles.
  12. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 7, 2011
    40
    This isn't a catastrophe, mind you. It's not Knight Rider-Bionic Woman awful. It's merely forgettable. Which is just sad.
  13. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Jan 6, 2011
    40
    All the color in the margins doesn't matter if the man at the center of the picture is a bore, which Lyons unfortunately is.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 86
  3. Negative: 17 out of 86
  1. swan_studios
    Jan 10, 2011
    10
    The Cape is by far the best show on Sunday nights. A break from either a news show or a drama aimed at females, The Cape offers a good ol'The Cape is by far the best show on Sunday nights. A break from either a news show or a drama aimed at females, The Cape offers a good ol' superhero show that nerds and regular viewers alike can watch. Great performances by all of the actors. Tripp could be a little better but he's just a kid.… Full Review »
  2. Moose41598
    Jan 10, 2011
    9
    There were some cheesy moments but i found myself throughly entertained and expecting much much more in the following weeks. I was more thanThere were some cheesy moments but i found myself throughly entertained and expecting much much more in the following weeks. I was more than happy to see Summer Glau return to the small screen, and for all you Smallville fans i feel that this may fill the super hero void after the shows recent ending. I like the cape for a few reasons, he is very human and it shows. He is not the perfect superhero without any faults and seems apt to learn lessons from that. there are some funny moments although i did find myself wishing for a little more funny. As far as pilots go i enjoyed it and i look forward to next week, Monday 9 o clock.… Full Review »
  3. Terminal53
    May 11, 2011
    10
    This is the best new series I have seen in years. Reminiscent of The Shadow, with a good dose of quirky humour and story. Also graced withThis is the best new series I have seen in years. Reminiscent of The Shadow, with a good dose of quirky humour and story. Also graced with great actors and an originality lacking in many television shows today.… Full Review »
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