The Dresden Files

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Season 1
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
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User Reviews

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  1. bjinman
    Nov 16, 2013
    10
    Frankly if you want to like this show read the books after you finish the series's one season. It will get you interested but you wont have the screaming fits "That's not what happens in the book, What is this BS!"
    Trust me.
  2. puiwaihin
    Sep 1, 2013
    3
    This is a terrible attempt at capturing the delight of Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files" book series. It is a massive disappointment and failure in general.

    Dresden is too likable. Instead of a hard-boiled detective you'd see in detective noir, he's an all-around softy. More often than not he appears incredibly weak. He's more like a more useless version of Kwai Chang Cain from Kung    This is a terrible attempt at capturing the delight of Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files" book series. It is a massive disappointment and failure in general.

    Dresden is too likable. Instead of a hard-boiled detective you'd see in detective noir, he's an all-around softy. More often than not he appears incredibly weak. He's more like a more useless version of Kwai Chang Cain from Kung Fu the Legend Continues than a tough guy wizard detective with a soft heart.

    The episode to episode plots are all weak, full of holes and plot induced stupidity. The relationship between magic and the world is uneven, seemingly made up on the spot rather than being part of well thought out cohesive set. Worst, most of the episodes include very little actual magic occurring at all.

    I cannot think of a single change made for the tv shows from the book that were good, or even necessary.

    As an adaptation of a beloved book series, this rates a 1. A 2 if you try really hard to think of ways it could have been done worse. As a Sci-fi series it might eek out a 4. It's not as good as Eureka, or even Kyle XY. But it does at least have more entertainment value than Ghosthunters.

    I'll average out the score to a 3, the highest "negative" rating I can give it.    … Expand
  3. 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, 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'tThis 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.… Expand
  4. 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 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 hasThis 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.… Expand
  5. AntonK
    Jul 5, 2009
    0
    The series sucks. As on of the commenters said. if someone liked the book, why didn't they include the things that make the book such a great read? Where's the blue beetle? the leather duster? Mister? Hells bells, what have they done?
  6. stevnj
    Jun 7, 2009
    8
    I don't think you should rate this show on how it differs from the book and it may not be the best detective show out there it packs a punch in some of the episodes.
  7. CarsonF
    Sep 12, 2008
    6
    I haven't seen the tv show, but judging from the books they didn't cast it very well. Morgan is suposed to be this big scary guy who looks like someone you wouldn't want to mess with, well the pics show this average sized man who isn't very intimidating. And Murphy should be short and some wat athletic. Dresden looks like the Dresden in the book. And bob is a spirit in I haven't seen the tv show, but judging from the books they didn't cast it very well. Morgan is suposed to be this big scary guy who looks like someone you wouldn't want to mess with, well the pics show this average sized man who isn't very intimidating. And Murphy should be short and some wat athletic. Dresden looks like the Dresden in the book. And bob is a spirit in a scull, not a person.… Expand
  8. Jessica
    Aug 16, 2007
    9
    Love It! This is my replacement for Charmed.
  9. JustinS.
    Jul 12, 2007
    0
    This show sucks! The books are SOOO much better, the tone is way off, Dresden is WAAAY off, well everything 'cept the name is off, and the banter with Bob is kinda close. But even on its own merits, its a really bad show. Not engaging, way to cliche, nothing really original.
  10. JulieK
    Jul 10, 2007
    9
    I liked the show from the beginning. It was a bit slow with the magic but picked up by season end. Dresden is a down to earth guy, not a muscle-bound-stuck-on-himself jock. That's appealing to see now a days.
  11. DebbieB.
    Jul 4, 2007
    9
    I really like this show. It was one of my favorite shows on Sci Fi. I liked it from the start, but the more episodes I watched the more I wanted to know about the characters. I found the characters to be charming, and quirky. I hope Sci Fi lets them have a second season.
  12. miriamh.
    Jul 2, 2007
    7
    I love Harry. The show is just OK though. Gets a bit too far-fetched, sometimes.
  13. robinM.
    Jul 1, 2007
    9
    well done, entertaining & nice to see a main character who is not yuppie-shallow & picture perfect for a change
  14. ae
    Apr 22, 2007
    9
    Character driven series have to start off slow. It takes a little time to get to know people. A second season would let the show really hit it's stride--and make me extremely happy.
  15. KyleM
    Apr 17, 2007
    5
    Too much Scooby-Doo, not enough flame throwing.
  16. [Anonymous]
    Apr 16, 2007
    9
    Excellent! I have enjoed a show this much in ages. I've even given up the Sopranos to watch Dresden
  17. JeffN
    Apr 14, 2007
    5
    Pretty bland thus far, but not completely predictable, either. The fact that Harry isn't a cop, lawyer, or surgeon means this show has the potential to tell a new story or two. I hope so, because it's well cast and directed.
  18. GM
    Mar 31, 2007
    9
    The show started off weakly, but has gotten progressively better and better. The BSG/Dresden duo is now my favorite television night.
  19. MikeN.
    Mar 19, 2007
    6
    LIkable hero, vaguely interesting universe, but too much of a by-the-numbers, connect the plot points, wrap it all up in 43 minutes action show to be worth taking any trouble to watch.
  20. TM
    Mar 15, 2007
    9
    The pilot was weak but it is getting better every week!
  21. TorreyM
    Mar 15, 2007
    10
    Started slow, got better, now I'm hooked
  22. kWheeler
    Mar 4, 2007
    9
    Intriging, captivating story line, I like the guy with the white hair that can stick his head through walls.
  23. DeWayneS
    Feb 28, 2007
    9
    I still watch re-runs of the X Files and I deeply miss watching new X File episodes, then along comes the Dresden Files. Sci-Fi needed a good show, like Showtime needed Dexter. I think the Dresden Files will be a keeper and it can only get better(I hope)! DeWayne(FilmFreak) MovieDownloadMatrix.com
  24. pattyr
    Feb 26, 2007
    10
    I honestly can't wait from week to week to see the show! finally a show that grabs my interest for the whole hour!!!
  25. prottty
    Feb 23, 2007
    9
    The books are great, the show started solid and it's improving every week. I hope the writers keep adding in ideas and characters from the books, because Butcher has created a very interesting world. There is potential here, for a truly great show....
  26. JuneD
    Feb 21, 2007
    10
    Sure it isn't the Dresden we see in the books but it is good and getting better. Way better than Buffy was by it's fourth episode !!
  27. AlexC
    Feb 19, 2007
    9
    Sci-fi hurt the series a bit by showing the episodes out of order, but the more Dresden we see, the better it gets.
  28. KevinD
    Feb 18, 2007
    2
    It's truly amazing that somebody liked the books enough to do the series but obviously has no interest in inclkuding any of the elments that make them such a great read. The pilot was so full of poor ideas and missed the point so much somebody must have made a great effort to do such a bad job. Here's hoping it gets better. But I'm not holding my breath!
  29. ScottS
    Feb 14, 2007
    9
    Very unique idea for a tv show. It has good acting in it and so far all of the storylines have been good.
  30. KenG
    Feb 13, 2007
    5
    I loved all the books and hoped the show would really reflect them, but it's just a routine investigator into the supernatural. The charm of the books is that Dresden really is a wizard so he is always using spells (and telling us what they are and how they work) and doing wizard-type things. In the show he does a little of this but never shows the power he is able to summon up in I loved all the books and hoped the show would really reflect them, but it's just a routine investigator into the supernatural. The charm of the books is that Dresden really is a wizard so he is always using spells (and telling us what they are and how they work) and doing wizard-type things. In the show he does a little of this but never shows the power he is able to summon up in the books. He somehow manages to survive. Very disappointed.… Expand
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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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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