The Chair (2021)

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 20, 2021
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17

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User Reviews

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  1. hamburgdude
    Aug 21, 2021
    9
    Sandra Oh is sublime in the lead role of this great new series from Netflix. With strong supporting performances by Jay Duplass and steal-every-scene-she-is-in Holland Taylor, the six 30-minute episodes are too easy to binge in a single day.

    Some may feel that the series maintains a superficial perspective or an unresolved take on the key issues raised, but like the literary references    Sandra Oh is sublime in the lead role of this great new series from Netflix. With strong supporting performances by Jay Duplass and steal-every-scene-she-is-in Holland Taylor, the six 30-minute episodes are too easy to binge in a single day.

    Some may feel that the series maintains a superficial perspective or an unresolved take on the key issues raised, but like the literary references planted throughout the episodes, good writing is about making the reader - in this case the viewer - think for themselves. "The Chair" does this on multiple fronts.

    The series may not tie up all the storylines in nice, pretty bows, but you feel that each of the characters has grown in some way along this shared journey and you, as a viewer, are very happy to have been along for the ride.    … Expand
  2. manningn15
    Aug 21, 2021
    10
    Just sat down and watched The Chair and finished the entire series in one sitting it was so good, I had to finish it it was so well done just a perfect blend of hilarious, serious, and emotionally deeper moments. The writing was exceptional and the topics they brought up and talked about were great. Sandra Oh, no surprise at all, gave an impeccable performance and the supporting cast wasJust sat down and watched The Chair and finished the entire series in one sitting it was so good, I had to finish it it was so well done just a perfect blend of hilarious, serious, and emotionally deeper moments. The writing was exceptional and the topics they brought up and talked about were great. Sandra Oh, no surprise at all, gave an impeccable performance and the supporting cast was just outstanding especially Holland Taylor, Everly Carganilla, Jay Duplass, Nana Mensah, Ji Lee, Bob Balaban, and Ron Crawford. The makeup, hairstyling, and costumes were terrific. The music was phenomenal. Even though this was a miniseries I'd watch many more seasons of this show with it's stellar writing and cast; an A+ series and one of my all time favorite miniseries ever.… Expand
  3. zerevbrol
    Aug 21, 2021
    10
    Some of my favourite television so far this year. Sandra Oh is legendary, and her chemistry with the rest of the cast is sublime. I appreciate that the showrunners planted enough "seeds" of interest throughout the runtime of season one to appropriately segue into another season of content should it come to pass, but still managed to make the central story arc of Oh's character shineSome of my favourite television so far this year. Sandra Oh is legendary, and her chemistry with the rest of the cast is sublime. I appreciate that the showrunners planted enough "seeds" of interest throughout the runtime of season one to appropriately segue into another season of content should it come to pass, but still managed to make the central story arc of Oh's character shine through clearly and conclude nicely with resolutions that fit the story.

    This is a show of half-expectations and truths, something which is well at home in academia, and which I can corroborate of academic bureaucracy through my own lived experiences. Ultimately, and most importantly, however, this is a show of its time. It contains commentary and reflections on the true lived experiences of people of colour in American (private) university systems, and academia at large. If critical evaluation isn't your cup of tea, this show will miss its mark, but give it a chance anyway. Sandra Oh, and the rest of the cast, might just surprise you.    … Expand
  4. Suttree
    Aug 25, 2021
    6
    Oh does a lot of heavy lifting but is unable to elevate this beyond the cliches and stereotypes. The cast is strong enough to make the many weaknesses easier to take. Still, the "lesser Ivy" setting is as worn out as the clueless old male prof, the clueless old female prof, the once-promising literary star gone to seed, and the dean who knows academia remains a business with a bottom line.Oh does a lot of heavy lifting but is unable to elevate this beyond the cliches and stereotypes. The cast is strong enough to make the many weaknesses easier to take. Still, the "lesser Ivy" setting is as worn out as the clueless old male prof, the clueless old female prof, the once-promising literary star gone to seed, and the dean who knows academia remains a business with a bottom line. Too lightweight for drama, not nearly funny enough for comedy. Disappointing.… Expand
  5. geewah
    Apr 5, 2022
    7
    A show that focuses on the politics of an English department going through change, and while it is funny and rather witty at times, it does fade to quite an anti-climatic finish.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best TV Season of 2021
85
#85 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. i
    Reviewed by: Rachael Sigee
    Dec 3, 2021
    80
    There wasn’t the depth of a show like Dear White People, which is much more game to challenge the intricacies of student politics, but The Chair is nonetheless smart, subtle and extremely watchable.
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  2. Radio Times
    Reviewed by: David Craig
    Dec 2, 2021
    60
    The Chair bites off more than it can chew by expanding further into cancel culture and personal identity – topics which would require a few more episodes to properly explore – with the added effect of taking valuable time away from the principal characters.
    Read full review
  3. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Hua Hsu
    Sep 10, 2021
    80
    What makes “The Chair” worth watching is Oh.
    Read full review
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