The Passage

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 14, 2019
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 48
  3. Negative: 7 out of 48
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User Reviews

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  1. UncleWillard
    Mar 12, 2019
    4
    I'm a fan of the trilogy and the genre, and these books are at the high end as far as literary quality. The world building is great and the epic adventure covers a lot of ground. Unfortunately, the TV show lacks all of that. Understandably, it's necessary to make changes to fit the parameters of the small screen AND basic network television, but it seems like Fox went for a cash grab here.I'm a fan of the trilogy and the genre, and these books are at the high end as far as literary quality. The world building is great and the epic adventure covers a lot of ground. Unfortunately, the TV show lacks all of that. Understandably, it's necessary to make changes to fit the parameters of the small screen AND basic network television, but it seems like Fox went for a cash grab here. They wanted a TWD, but defanged what was a wonderful new take on vampirism as a plague and the post-apocalyptic dystopia. Way too much emphasis on what is essentially the prologue to the story, giving us nothing to look forward to as far as the bulk of the story and its much more fleshed out characters. It's almost like they wrote the script from a high school sophomore's book report. Truly disappointing for a fan of the books.… Expand
  2. mattheit
    Mar 13, 2019
    4
    My review that I am posting all over with some time on my hands.

    The finale part 1 was good, part 2 meh. Overall on the season - I am very torn, there was good, bad and the ugly. Hopefully they will be more faithful to the source material in season 2. If GoT can do season 1 and pretty much season 2 as an almost literal page for page translation, Fox and the producers should be able to    My review that I am posting all over with some time on my hands.

    The finale part 1 was good, part 2 meh. Overall on the season - I am very torn, there was good, bad and the ugly. Hopefully they will be more faithful to the source material in season 2. If GoT can do season 1 and pretty much season 2 as an almost literal page for page translation, Fox and the producers should be able to as well. It's a great book and the show really "hollywoodized" and diverged from the story, arcs and characters. Lila isnt even a page worth of material in book 1, plus an antivirus - what????, the who lives and dies It should almost be called something different then the Passage. Would be looking forward to a next season but to keep me as a fan/watcher will need to be more faithful to the book that means no Lila, Wolgast, Lear, Richards, etc. I am not even sure how the series can course correct/recover with Lila and Wolgasts arcs. Instead new actors and characters focusing on the present day, 100 years later in the colony (some flashbacks of those characters - Alicia, Jaxon, Fisher and Patal clans, etc).    … Expand
  3. Kunrya
    Jan 18, 2019
    8
    I went into this show with really low expectations, actually expecting to shut it off after about the first 10 minutes, but I was wrong. A few storylines get rushed here and there (which is now just a staple of network television), but the acting performances more than made up for it. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Saniyya Sidney are spectactular on-screen together.
  4. Skeletor71
    Jan 22, 2019
    8
    Hey, this show isn't bad. At least the kid isn't annoying. Yet. And once you get over Zack being in it there's some pretty entertaining stuff to watch. I like how they're portraying the 'vampires'. Let's hope it doesn't get too mushy.
  5. Elthor
    Jan 16, 2019
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show just doesn't work for me.
    Slow paced, with stone faced-actors and unlikable characters doing things I just couldn't care less about.

    Worst of all, if you took out the 'not vampires' from the show, there would be zero change to it. They played no role in the first episode except looking menacing. They are Vampire MacGuffins. They exist outside of the actual plot: a guy with a young girl running from a shady paramilitary organization.
    I assume they'll get loose later, but I won't be waiting around for it.

    Edit: Seriously, how hard is it for a sketchy agency to snatch one child? So difficult as to require risking exposing themselves just to get that one child? It's not like the girl in question had some special powers, skills or genetic make up they needed. So why go to the news outlets and shoot up a police station?
    Stupid stuff.    … Expand
  6. AthanasiosT
    Feb 13, 2019
    1
    The books are a solid 10, while the TV adaptation is a 1. The reasons ? Political correctness and TV writers. The homeless guy became a love story, the villain Babcock became a beautiful blonde lady with sexual appetites, the little girl with the special abilities, became just a simple sweet little girl, etc, etc. One more failed TV adaptation of a great book. If you've read the book, stayThe books are a solid 10, while the TV adaptation is a 1. The reasons ? Political correctness and TV writers. The homeless guy became a love story, the villain Babcock became a beautiful blonde lady with sexual appetites, the little girl with the special abilities, became just a simple sweet little girl, etc, etc. One more failed TV adaptation of a great book. If you've read the book, stay away. If not, I guess you can watch it.… Expand
  7. KellyBee
    Jan 16, 2019
    9
    Okay, it isn't perfect but I like this newish retelling of the vampire origin. I'm pretty pumped that a child is set up to save the world. The girl cast is pretty amazing for her age. I'm looking forward to see where this all goes.
  8. Tanya88
    Feb 2, 2019
    10
    Cool plot, nice drama, good actors play, but small locations. Interesting what should be next
  9. Limeyou
    Feb 11, 2019
    10
    This is a great show. Keeps your attention the entire hour it is on
    and can't wait till the next episode..
  10. Mathias01
    Feb 3, 2019
    6
    My thoughts after 3 episodes watched. Well I read the book many years ago (a hefty read at that) and right away I was turned off to the series due to the fact the show creators changed races and genders of key characters. In the book Amy is white, Dr. Sykes is a man who is a Colonel and Babcock is a man. Why must these shows change genders and races of characters in a book? Oh, wait. IMy thoughts after 3 episodes watched. Well I read the book many years ago (a hefty read at that) and right away I was turned off to the series due to the fact the show creators changed races and genders of key characters. In the book Amy is white, Dr. Sykes is a man who is a Colonel and Babcock is a man. Why must these shows change genders and races of characters in a book? Oh, wait. I forgot. Diversity.

    That being said I do like the chemistry between Mark-Paul's Brad and Saniyya's Amy. That is the only reason I'm still watching this show. That and I want to see how far they deviate from the book regarding certain characters (particularly Babcock considering he is now a she). I liked the book and I want to like the show. Hopefully it will allow me to.    … Expand
  11. cynthia0246
    Jan 29, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Honestly, even if the trailer was really interesting, I did not have a lot of expectations about this show, as it's usually the case when they adapt a movie or a tv serie from a book. I really love the book and for those who say that everything happens really fast in the first episode, the thing is : it happened really fast in the book too. And for the virals, they are exactly as pictured in the books, laying there doing nothing.

    Even if it is not exactly the same as in the book, the show is interesting and intriguing. I am really thrilled for the next episodes !    … Expand
  12. RONSAIDIT
    Mar 11, 2019
    9
    so far i would say im pleased in how this show is going, Brad Wolgast(agent) and Amy Bellafonte. really work off each other really well.,good to see Emmanuelle Chriqui is good to see her in this show as well,i also like the character of Brianne Howey, sh looks a bit like a Harley Quinn character she's very cool all in all a very good show that has the development of it's characters..mustso far i would say im pleased in how this show is going, Brad Wolgast(agent) and Amy Bellafonte. really work off each other really well.,good to see Emmanuelle Chriqui is good to see her in this show as well,i also like the character of Brianne Howey, sh looks a bit like a Harley Quinn character she's very cool all in all a very good show that has the development of it's characters..must see series… Expand
  13. OlivierPiel
    Mar 14, 2019
    5
    Pros:
    - Superior acting from the whole cast especially the little black girl. She's perfect. Only Emmanuelle Chiquiri is totally overacting in a very annoying fashion.
    - Professional editing, story pacing is very engaging. Gripping suspense. Cons: - Ridiculous plot holes and character decisions that demand suspension of logic insult the intelligence of the audience Verdict: a    Pros:
    - Superior acting from the whole cast especially the little black girl. She's perfect. Only Emmanuelle Chiquiri is totally overacting in a very annoying fashion.
    - Professional editing, story pacing is very engaging. Gripping suspense.

    Cons:
    - Ridiculous plot holes and character decisions that demand suspension of logic insult the intelligence of the audience

    Verdict:
    a little guilty pleasure to get your mind off things.    … Expand
  14. weullerlopes
    Jan 15, 2019
    10
    A série é ótima. Grandes personagens, uma trama amarrada e curiosa, uma premissa intrigante que faz querer ver cada vez mais. simplesmente genial
  15. guywithbeer
    Mar 29, 2019
    7
    A very enjoyable tv show. I started watching the tv show without knowing what this was based on and it was an unexpected surprise and joy.

    The story takes some unexpected turns and the season finale left me hoping for a second season.

    Worth watching.
  16. Larian
    Apr 4, 2019
    5
    I watched this one with my wife and she got more out of it than i did, it was great in spots but it meandered all over in other spots. and after an entire season i still have NO idea what the Title has to do with the story.... up to you.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
51
#51 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Adrian Horton
    Dec 3, 2019
    40
    The Passage is frustratingly mechanical yet, being human, you can’t help but feel at least slightly invested in this threatened world. It induces eye rolls but still, the virus is easily caught.
    Read full review
  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 17, 2019
    50
    It's a slow road to apocalypse in the absorbing, if derivative, opening chapters of this Stephen King wannabe based on the epic horror trilogy by Justin Cronin. [21 Jan - 3 Feb 2019, p.13]
  3. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Hanh Nguyen
    Jan 15, 2019
    75
    The Passage may not reach the grandiose and tragic heights of Cronin’s books, but it has the potential to be equally satisfying: It’s pragmatic, aggressive, and most of all, present.
    Read full review
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