- Network: ABC
- Series Premiere Date: Jan 21, 2010
Critic Reviews
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
-
There's nothing original about the series that wasn't already covered in "L.A. Law."
-
The show benefits from a true insider's feel of the biz, and that helps spackle over the softer spots. Given half a chance, Deep should get along swimmingly.
-
The premiere delivers a show that's more winkingly cute than it really needs ro be. [25 Jan 2010, p.42]
-
While it's not a great show, it does do for lawyers what "Grey's Anatomy" did for doctors--create what could be a watchable soap opera on top of cases that involve real issues and real drama.
-
There's nothing here you haven't seen elsewhere.
-
Nice cast. Otherwise, charmless. Airless. Lifeless. (Blah, blah and blah.)
-
The problem is there's nothing here that hasn't been done before, and often done better. Even more disheartening: The cast, which includes Matt Long and Billy Zane, is stocked with forgettable and/or boorish characters.
-
It’s actually kind of depressing just how obviously “The Deep End’’ has been constructed of used parts from the likes of “LA Law,’’ “The Practice,’’ “Boston Legal,’’ “Damages,’’ “Eli Stone,’’ and “The Good Wife.’’
-
Judging by the pilot, it seems a safe bet that soon enough everyone will have slept with everyone else on the show. But unless the storytelling evens out, there won't be anyone watching.
-
Trouble is, it doesn't feel all that fresh. Arrogant, idiot superiors have been a bedrock of humor-infused dramas from the ancient Greeks right up through "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Ugly Betty."
-
The network has cast a strong ensemble adrift in a bland workplace environment.
-
The pilot offers a deft introduction to the characters and their situations. It's just unfortunate that more care wasn't taken to create a show that feels fresh--The Deep End is rather moldy.
-
If you’ve never seen a legal show before, maybe you’ll get something out of this; otherwise, it’s about as refreshing as wading in a kiddie pool on a scorching summer day.
-
Basically, The Deep End is "Grey's Anatomy" with lawyers, and the execution is as cynical and flat as that premise sounds.
-
Despite being populated with likable actors giving mostly solid performances, it's hard to escape the feeling that you've seen this before.
-
Honestly, Deep End is the type of high-gloss, dim-bulb broadcast hour that makes you despair for broadcast hours.
-
The Deep End is a pale imitation without smart writing, imaginative casting or even a clever conceit.
-
At first glance, The Deep End looks more like plastic food: shiny, colorful and perfectly appetizing, yes, but ultimately unsatisfying.
-
Buffed up with glossy polish and thoroughly lacking in sparks between characters, the only good news about this show is that it appears to have a script and actors and sets, which means it's not a reality show or "The Jay Leno Show."
-
Poorly conceived, badly written and indifferently acted, The Deep End is a jumble of terrible ideas from start to finish.
-
The Deep End is stupid. It is obvious and ridiculous and badly acted for the most part.
-
Here’s the kind of firm even “Boston Legal’s” Denny Crane would have the sense to close down. And I don’t think I’ve ever sat through so many penis jokes in the 8 p.m. hour.
-
In the case of ABC's turgid legal melodrama The Deep End, you might not want to show up at all.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 36 out of 48
-
Mixed: 1 out of 48
-
Negative: 11 out of 48
-
DorciakJan 31, 2010
-
LindaW.Jan 28, 2010I've seen much better law shows. This one didn't even seem to try.
-
JustinF.Jan 27, 2010I thought that the pilot episode of "The Deep End" was outrageously funny and showed a great amount of potential as a successful television series!