The Mysteries of Laura

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 17, 2014
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
37

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 28
  3. Negative: 13 out of 28
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Sep 16, 2014
    60
    Messing is most agreeable, hitting her comedy marks and credible as supercop.
  2. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Sep 17, 2014
    58
    This little dramedy, an adaptation of a Spanish series, has that USA “Monk” comedy-lite vibe going for it.
  3. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Sep 16, 2014
    58
    Messy, discordant opener with potential.
  5. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Michael Landweber
    Oct 1, 2014
    50
    Trapped in the hour-long drama structure, the half-hour sitcom that The Mysteries of Laura might long to be never finds its footing.
  6. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Diane Garrett
    Sep 24, 2014
    50
    Alas, some of the dialogue is extremely problematic, and the jokes tired.... but the action keeps moving, and there are enough glimmers of freshness to keep the show entertaining and warrant another viewing.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Sep 16, 2014
    50
    The ingredients here need time to jell, and the writing needs to move beyond generic glop and take advantage of Ms. Messing’s full range of talents.
  8. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Sep 16, 2014
    50
    The problem isn't that Laura wants to show us that raising children and holding down a job is hard; it is. Unfortunately, what the show suggests is that it's impossible, and it seriously misjudges the humor quotient in that suggestion while miscalculating the effect it has on its main characters.
  9. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: David Hiltbrand
    Sep 16, 2014
    50
    [Debra Messing is] utterly unconvincing in both modes of Laura's character: the cop with a mean left hook and the frazzled mom.... On the plus side, The Mysteries of Laura has really snappy writing.
  10. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Caroline Framke
    Sep 16, 2014
    50
    NBC is always in search of a dependable hit, and the evidence shows that The Mysteries Of Laura is exactly the right kind of bland whose dependable ratings could help it fly under the radar for years.
  11. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Sep 15, 2014
    50
    This is a pleasant and generally enjoyable show that doesn’t overtax the brain. In other words, standard fare for broadcast television.
  12. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    Sep 12, 2014
    50
    Nothing much new here, although there's always another case for the audience to watch Laura solve.
  13. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Sep 16, 2014
    42
    The pilot is woefully lacking the nuance and inventive wit that would help make The Mysteries of Laura more worthy of [Messing's] talents.
  14. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Sep 15, 2014
    42
    Messing seems to be trying hard, but in a role and a show that just don’t suit her talents.
  15. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Sarah Rodman
    Sep 15, 2014
    42
    [Messing] sells the tenacity and smart-alecky charm even if the crime she’s investigating is not that engrossing. But every time we head from the precinct house to Diamond’s actual house, it gets tougher to stick with The Mysteries of Laura.
  16. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Sep 17, 2014
    40
    Viewers who come to TV for smart, serious, sophisticated fare will likely hate this show while viewers just looking for something innocuous and entertaining will be more forgiving.

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
77
#77 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 76
  3. Negative: 30 out of 76
  1. EmmyPaden
    Sep 19, 2014
    10
    I know I can't be the only one that loved the Pilot! Maybe it is because I understand and have been in her shoes, juggling work, kids,I know I can't be the only one that loved the Pilot! Maybe it is because I understand and have been in her shoes, juggling work, kids, husband, work, cheating husband, work, divorce and work... I will admit that I am already a Debra Messing uber fan from Will and Grace. I was afraid that the new character would be like the old, but it isn't! She is funny and professional at the same time.... but then she is also frantic and worried about her kids. She is a great mom from what was in the Pilot! The divorce/possible reconciliation, her position on the police force while having style and GREAT SHOES and the new promotion of her husband are just three reasons I want to see Episode 2!! I believe we have a modern day Colombo flipped upside down!! If you didn't like the pilot, perhaps you should give it a second chance... Pilots are generally not as great as the rest of the premier season... I'll be watching!!!… Full Review »
  2. PennyPenny
    Sep 19, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Don't want to take the time to even attempt to get a search warrant? Break the law.

    Don't want to go to the trouble of finding a Pre-K that might help your very, very disturbed, one dimensional demons you have been saddled with as offspring? Try illegal record searches and extortion.

    Afraid those kids won't make it through the resulting interview? Drug them.

    Thinking some of this might have been funny given a great script or proper delivery? Maybe, but unfortunately this desperate, throw everything at the wall (including feces, urine and soup) and see what sticks dramedy fails the viewer. If you are expecting entertainment, or even mild amusement, then you will be left disappointed.

    This heavy handed show is self consciously disrespectful and clumsy in its attempt to wrap itself in the crumpled overcoat of Columbo. She's sloppy! See! She's eating days old food off her desk! See!? She's spilling soup on a cadaver! Soup! (Insert yucks here). Her desk isn't just messy or cluttered, it's filthy! See how Columbo-like she is?

    No. Columbo was a capable, rules following (called douche bags in this show), detective that methodically moved towards solving a mystery while being consistently underestimated by his suspects. He didn't break the law for his convenience or for selfish reasons or to "find a place to dump off my kids at 8 and pick them up at 5". He didn't chew cheesecake with his mouth open and use cadavers as tablecloths. Yet somehow we still got it. He was a slob.

    The world has moved on, but really, have we really lost so much that writers feel comfortable in skipping the whole mystery concept and instead offer up cliches, neon signs and outrageously over-the-top antics to make a point? The mystery concept here was abandoned in favor of attempts at humorous or shocking interactions between characters largely outside of the mystery's setting. We are treated to watching an unlikeable, callous, grossly selfish woman chew, snort, bully and stomp her way through a silly story. And not in a good way. She wants place to shelve her children. This insult to working Moms everywhere was a bitter disappointment.

    I wanted this to be a fantastic show. A few minutes in I was hoping it could be an okay show, then a not-awful show, but in the end I fear it is not even a salvageable show. Though it may make a comfortable addition to a compost pile.    … Full Review »
  3. tvnewsguido
    Sep 18, 2014
    1
    "The Mysteries of Laura" is, quite frankly, unbelievably bad.

    In a world with "Fargo" and "True Detective" - hell even with stuff like    "The Mysteries of Laura" is, quite frankly, unbelievably bad.

    In a world with "Fargo" and "True Detective" - hell even with stuff like "Bones" and "Castle" available - just don't "The Mysteries of Laura" ever.    … Full Review »
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