• Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 27, 2019
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 40
  2. Negative: 8 out of 40
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User Reviews

  1. Oct 6, 2019
    5
    Even with a stellar cast, a fast paced story and excellent production, the show can't mask it's lack of likable, interesting or even believable characters. When Ryan Murphy shows are bad, it's still never boring, but it's annoying. Characters are in service of the plot, they're almost caricatures. If this indicates the type of shows that Ryan Murphy are going to produce for Netflix;Even with a stellar cast, a fast paced story and excellent production, the show can't mask it's lack of likable, interesting or even believable characters. When Ryan Murphy shows are bad, it's still never boring, but it's annoying. Characters are in service of the plot, they're almost caricatures. If this indicates the type of shows that Ryan Murphy are going to produce for Netflix; shows that might only appeal to a small audience, then Netflix just wasted a lot of money. (This review is based on the first three episodes.) Expand
  2. Oct 7, 2019
    5
    I really enjoyed the disk satirical look at the electoral process- from the voters to the politicians- through the lens of a relatively inconsequential race like student president. They managed to include great black comedy moments in an otherwise frivolous show with some great dialogue and character moments thrown in. Although some of the plot-forward moments were a bit contrived and theI really enjoyed the disk satirical look at the electoral process- from the voters to the politicians- through the lens of a relatively inconsequential race like student president. They managed to include great black comedy moments in an otherwise frivolous show with some great dialogue and character moments thrown in. Although some of the plot-forward moments were a bit contrived and the season stuttered a bit near the end, I found it a very entertaining watch due to the very evocative style and some very convincing performances by the main cats stuff high his HDTV it'd ruff St high HD GF Expand
  3. Oct 8, 2019
    6
    Like the majority of Ryan Murphy's shows, The Politician has moments of brilliance, humour and (lots of) satire. On the whole, the cast is fantastic, and Ben Platt really shines in the main role. The show looks suitably lavish, with the direction and production highlighting the excessive wealth that surrounds the majority of the characters. Unfortunately, the show's treatment of itsLike the majority of Ryan Murphy's shows, The Politician has moments of brilliance, humour and (lots of) satire. On the whole, the cast is fantastic, and Ben Platt really shines in the main role. The show looks suitably lavish, with the direction and production highlighting the excessive wealth that surrounds the majority of the characters. Unfortunately, the show's treatment of its characters and their relationships remain frustratingly inconsistent. Character moments and developments that the show wants you to be invested in do not earn their place. The writers really needed to show rather than tell in those cases. Some of the supporting characters deserved far greater development and screen time. However, the finale added another point to my score, as the episode sparks new energy (and sublime acting) into the show. This sets up what should ideally be a superior second season. Overall, the show is watchable yet fails to live up the potential it could have. Expand
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 32
  2. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Reviewed by: Ed Cumming
    Jan 3, 2020
    40
    On this middling first series, it’s unclear how much more we want to see Hobart and co. Unlike its confident anti-hero, The Politician hasn’t decided what it wants to be.
  2. Reviewed by: Helen Brown
    Jan 3, 2020
    100
    Although the relentless superficiality of the characters gets tiring, it allows you to keep laughing as they double cross and second guess each other at a turbocharged pace. There’s fun to be had at the expense of the premise of the school as a microcosm of American society.
  3. Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 4, 2019
    100
    It’s another dazzling Murphy triumph. It has his trademark hurricane of a narrative that sweeps you up and deposits you breathless and agape somewhere else entirely an hour later. He has garnered a set of blistering performances from his actors.