The Dresden Files

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Season 1
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
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Critic Reviews

  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Gloria Goodale
    83
    These unsettling scenes are tough on the eyes, but happily, star Paul Blackthorne is well worth watching, full time.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Marilyn Moss
    80
    Brooding, seductive and smart.
  3. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    75
    Like Harry, the show has yet to fully master its tricks. There are a few decent jolts, but nothing is truly frightening or even that threatening. And while the show can be amusing, it's never exactly side-splitting.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    60
    If you don’t like hints of Harry Potter mixed in with fairly straightforward procedural elements, this may not be the show for you.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    60
    If the series doesn't generate any grand creative magic, it at least possesses a certain old-fashioned charm.
  7. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    50
    Even with Blackthorne's occasionally engaging portrayal of Harry Dresden, this whodunit lacks the wit and imagination that might transform it into something special.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Gillian Flynn
    50
    An uneven fantasy series that's not eerie enough to be a culty favorite or goofy enough to be a guilty pleasure.
  9. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    50
    "Dresden" hasn't put a spell on me at the start - but it's not bad. It's just that on Sundays, opposite such shows as "Desperate Housewives" and "Rome," not bad is not nearly good enough.
  10. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    50
    It isn't until the werewolf-themed fourth episode that "Dresden Files" finally gives you a trick worth applauding. Hopefully, there's more of that to come.
  11. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    50
    "The Dresden Files" is currently mediocre, a series searching for the right tone, seemingly unsure of itself and all the while not quite selling itself to the non sci-fi crowd.
  12. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    50
    The series has great potential, and frankly I can't tell you why it doesn't ever quite reach it - other than it somehow lacks, er, magic.
  13. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Ginia Bellafante
    40
    It has the feeling of pizza with pineapple on it — which is to say, not actually for grown-ups.
  14. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    30
    Dresden's investigations amount to a lot of ho-hum hokum... and his relationships are largely paint-by-number bland.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best TV Season of 2007
42
#42 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
18
#18 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 59
  3. Negative: 8 out of 59
  1. Akuto
    Dec 13, 2011
    2
    This is a terrible, terrible version of Harry Dresden's world. The characters are well off mark and far too many liberties have been taken,This is a terrible, terrible version of Harry Dresden's world. The characters are well off mark and far too many liberties have been taken, turning this into another obnoxious Sci-Fi original series. Dialogue and acting are mediocre as usual, and there's simply not enough engaging material to hold my attention. I'm not a very picky person when it comes to TV, for that matter. Please don't take this show as a representation of the novels.… Full Review »
  2. KyleM
    Apr 17, 2007
    5
    Too much Scooby-Doo, not enough flame throwing.
  3. Brinkk
    Jan 13, 2011
    0
    This show is a huge disappointment... im talking HUGE. I just finished Changes the other day and i was gonna see if the show is anything likeThis show is a huge disappointment... im talking HUGE. I just finished Changes the other day and i was gonna see if the show is anything like the books. the creators of this show cant even get one thing right... Harry has long shoulder length hair, a duster, a fat cat, his moms 5 pointed star necklace,and the blue beetle! who the heck is laura? and murphy? im pretty sure that she has blonde hair? did anyone try and put an effort into tryin to find a blonde girl? at least make her wear a wig? oh and another thing, Harry's house has no upstairs. its in a basement under a old apartment building. I hate that people dont even try to stick to the books anymore. take a tip from the books : Millions of people bought the books and loved them because of the way the author made it! now who in their right mind thought that it would be a good idea to change some of the most critical stuff right off the bat? the show would be good for people who have never read the books. Im gonna assume im right that a large majority of the people who have watched one episode read the books and were kinda ticked off like i am. I wont watch this show because its horrible next to the books.… Full Review »
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