The Cape

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 9, 2011
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
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User Reviews

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  1. JThomas411
    Jan 9, 2011
    6
    NBC's superhero drama is too thoroughly coated in cheese to be anything but a self-aware attempt to have fun with the superhero genre. The big question is: does it work? If the first two episodes are any indication the answer is that yes, it occasionally works, but it has a long way to go in order to succeed. The show's biggest immediate problem is the overall tone and how wildly itNBC's superhero drama is too thoroughly coated in cheese to be anything but a self-aware attempt to have fun with the superhero genre. The big question is: does it work? If the first two episodes are any indication the answer is that yes, it occasionally works, but it has a long way to go in order to succeed. The show's biggest immediate problem is the overall tone and how wildly it shifts from one side to the other. There are times that it tries to be serious, with Summer Glau's Orwell deftly maneuvering her way through computer touchscreens and David Lyon's Vince Farrady having flashbacks to the happy times before he is forced to go under the mask. Then, it quickly shifts to goofy scenes involving Keith David's underground sideshow characters. This is a show that clearly wants to emulate comic books, but it doesn't yet know which comic book it wants to be. You can't go from dark, serious stories to wacky, over-the-top heists within the same episode, and that is what the cape is trying to accomplish. At the same time the acting is solid, James Frain is a lot of fun as the villain Chess and Vinnie Jones is a blast as Scales. This show has potential, but will it last long enough to improve? Difficult to say at this point, but hopefully it will get a shot. It's daring to be different, and that's something to be lauded.… Expand
  2. cajun67
    Jan 16, 2011
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not terrible, but not wonderful. It's loaded with comic book cliches, and the story moves along at a brisk pace (too brisk). Comic books deal with the realm of the impossible, but it's the job of the writer to make the story at least seem plausible. It's important to treat your audience as intelligent. When a grown man jumps through the window of a skyscrapper like it was ordinary glass, falls many stories to land on a car and survives, that's a WTF moment. An ex-cop spends what seems to be a few weeks training (or a few months if you want to be generous), and he comes out a superhero... another WTF moment. Or when our hero routinely grabs a throwing knife out of the air... WTF.

    The best thing about the show is that the characters are actually likable, and it's good that the show takes itself seriously. But the stories seriously need a little more depth to them.    … Expand
  3. Whiston532
    Jan 9, 2011
    4
    I agree with Miknificant. The casting is alright. But everything else struggles. If it's serious (with the occasional joke) then it's got problems. If it's deliberately being cheesy, then I guess it's not for me. Didn't need to be 2 hours though.
  4. Miknificant
    Jan 9, 2011
    4
    Still deciding if the producers of the show are intending it to be as cheesy as it is, or if it's just terrible. The only good part about this show so far is the cast.
  5. Adashu
    Jan 9, 2011
    4
    Too convoluted and cliche in the first episode. The best way to describe this show comes in the form of lines from said episode. Store Clerk, "What do they call you?"
    The Cape,"The Cape."
    Clerk, "The Cape? Well You'll work on it."

    Work on it indeed, that is, of course, if it doesn't get pulled from the air first.
  6. shakeel7
    Jan 16, 2011
    4
    Fell asleep during my first watching of the pilot. Had to start it over when I woke up, and it was torturous to get through. I know you should always give new shows a few episodes before you really judge, and I might tune in again mid season (if it isn't canceled) but for right now I could not, in good conscience, give it a higher rating than this.
  7. KDHeat3o5
    Jan 20, 2011
    6
    The pilot was terrible but the last 2 episodes have been pretty decent.The problem with the show is that its waaaay too cheesy,the dialogue is cringe inducing at times,and the lead actor(David Lyons)is stiff and boring.If they can fix it up a bit,Ill stick with it.
  8. TheTVCritic
    Mar 27, 2014
    4
    Minus 3 for originality. It is pretty much a combination of batman and the the Green Arrow, except has a crap back story. Minus another but for the awful, awful costuming and story-line. Good for five year-old who dream of smashing people's face in. Not worth watching.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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]
  2. Salon
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jan 11, 2011
    30
    The source of the show's downfall is more basic: It rushes through everything, pulverizing potentially engaging characters and story until the whole production starts to feel like a long trailer for itself.
    Read full review
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Jan 10, 2011
    30
    It's a series that looks like a whole bunch of cooks decided to build the most creatively awesome and different kitchen imaginable, forgetting for a moment that none of them can really cook.
    Read full review
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