The Strain

:

Season 1
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 13, 2014
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 405 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 312 out of 405
  2. Mixed: 47 out of 405
  3. Negative: 46 out of 405
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  1. bshelton
    Sep 1, 2014
    7
    I imagine most people have seen the pilot at this point. Gotta admit the first 2/3 of that was god awful with regards to dialogue, character development, and plot. However, the last 1/3 grabbed my attention and made me give it another shot. I'm totally hooked at this point. There are frequent moments of very hokey dialogue and plot conveniences. But this show is a total guiltyI imagine most people have seen the pilot at this point. Gotta admit the first 2/3 of that was god awful with regards to dialogue, character development, and plot. However, the last 1/3 grabbed my attention and made me give it another shot. I'm totally hooked at this point. There are frequent moments of very hokey dialogue and plot conveniences. But this show is a total guilty pleasure show - I know it will never get an Emmy nod (LOL) but it has enough of a story line that keeps me tuning in every week and occasionally some surprising twists… Expand
  2. strainfanboston
    Sep 1, 2014
    10
    Sorry, critics, I love this show, it is very edgy and different. Big Fan in Boston. It is super scary and well worth watching for those who love thrills and terror.
  3. palo56
    Sep 11, 2014
    8
    Cheesy but addictive , i think what keeps me wanting more is that i really love some of the character white on the couterpart the rest of them are completly dull , good production overall, the fight scene could be more Épic in my opinion but who am i to juge anyway
  4. imthenoob
    Sep 18, 2014
    10
    The Strain was super hyped for me, I was interested in it the moment it was announced, and I am glad it lived up to the hype. The plot is very interesting and features a wide array of characters that can branch off into different, intersecting story lines. The acting is very good as well thanks to the experienced cast. There is violence but it's spread out, The show runners are clearlyThe Strain was super hyped for me, I was interested in it the moment it was announced, and I am glad it lived up to the hype. The plot is very interesting and features a wide array of characters that can branch off into different, intersecting story lines. The acting is very good as well thanks to the experienced cast. There is violence but it's spread out, The show runners are clearly more focused on the story aspect than the gore aspect and that's a good thing.

    Overall, It's definitely a front runner for best new show of the year. It's been very entertaining so far and I can't wait to see what happens next.    … Expand
  5. Qishere
    Sep 22, 2014
    10
    This show is the most entertaining, addictive series of the Summer Season.

    Due in large part to the influence of the Cinema Master of Horror, Guillermo Del Toro, the high production values make this a story that you eagerly tune in to every Sunday on FX. The terrible creatures that threaten humanity fascinate us due in large part to their quasi-personality of plague giver and    This show is the most entertaining, addictive series of the Summer Season.

    Due in large part to the influence of the Cinema Master of Horror, Guillermo Del Toro, the high production values make this a story that you eagerly tune in to every Sunday on FX.

    The terrible creatures that threaten humanity fascinate us due in large part to their quasi-personality of plague giver and vampire. Make no doubt, these creatures are loathsome, dark hunters without a scintilla of remorse. Nor is there even a hint of physical allure in their changed bodies. Horribly, they want only to feed and infect loved ones and any one who gets in their way. The combined CGI and acting is brilliant, making you cringe and jump with each vampire attack.

    Ultimately, it is the surviving humans and their stories that balance out the horrors they have to face. It is this balance that makes us care for the survivors and it's ultimately the tension that is created by the suspense of what is around the corner for them and will they survive it or fall prey to the plague of rapacious vampires that now populates their world.

    Will a boy who is a son help his father locate his mother before she's infected? Can an East Harlem thug deal effectively with this infection that threatens his world? Can a Holocaust survivor, with his past in dealing with this plague, organize/train a rag tag team of vampire hunters? More important, can the vampire hunters stop the plague?

    Much like The Walking Dead, this show is beautifully cast. In large part, it is the actors who enthrall us, who entertain us. I did not notice a single weakness in the cast.

    The writers creatively explore the varied human stories and do it with the style that embraces this epic story with enough variation to continue to delight. Like the survivors come to know, there is no comfort in a sure thing. Tragedy or happiness is guaranteed no one.    … Expand
  6. CartoonHead
    Nov 6, 2014
    10
    It takes a few episodes to get going, but OMG. This show is so good and criminally underrated. Easily my favourite show on TV right now and probably only second to Game of Thrones as favourite show of all time. It is kinda similar to the Walking Dead but the monsters pose a MUCH better threat and it is not bogged down but set rules as surprises, mysteries and twists a plenty. Like theIt takes a few episodes to get going, but OMG. This show is so good and criminally underrated. Easily my favourite show on TV right now and probably only second to Game of Thrones as favourite show of all time. It is kinda similar to the Walking Dead but the monsters pose a MUCH better threat and it is not bogged down but set rules as surprises, mysteries and twists a plenty. Like the end of Episode 4 really knocked my socks off. The main character is a bit of a drip but aside from that it has Walder Frey decapitating Vampires with a walking stick sword and a silver shooting nail gun. I mean come on, this just writes itself.… Expand
  7. tehtic
    Sep 29, 2014
    9
    Great twists on modern vampires. Have found this new series to be awesome. The writing is not outstanding but they accomplish what few other series have been able to and that is to be intriguing. The master vampire is quite hokey and unbelievable. That said the twist on the vampire epidemic is something original. A great out-of-the-box thinking. The cast seemed to pull things together andGreat twists on modern vampires. Have found this new series to be awesome. The writing is not outstanding but they accomplish what few other series have been able to and that is to be intriguing. The master vampire is quite hokey and unbelievable. That said the twist on the vampire epidemic is something original. A great out-of-the-box thinking. The cast seemed to pull things together and make them believable. Must say I look forward to this each week.… Expand
  8. SwampDonkey
    Sep 26, 2014
    9
    *spoilers* Del Toro and company should be especially proud of episodes like in the gas station, However, for Fx's sake, I hope we get some relief from the female mother/daughter/hacker...they are all lame! Gore is fine, just need some real hotties like season 1 of The Walking Dead.
  9. daroczi
    Sep 21, 2014
    10
    Finally, a dark horror series that isn't surreal and ghostly! It's just a bloody good time. This is my first review on here and I'm urged to do it just to help the odds that this series continues.
  10. Vengeance_AU
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    Great show! It started off a little slow (I'll admit that I was a little on the fence there at the beginning as I was a little too skeptical) but the plot is getting thicker and jucier. Each episode I watch moves me into wanting more of it then and there.

    Lots of originality and lets be honest, who isn't obsessed with outbreak shows and movies? :)
  11. seventhseal
    Sep 23, 2014
    5
    Series started off and had great potential however sadly it now feels like the episodes are being padded out to elongate the season. I am starting to lose interest in the characters and ultimately am losing interest in the series.

    Expected better. Average.
  12. Realtalkmedia
    Jun 21, 2015
    3
    This show has the most potential I've seen out of shows in the past two years. However IT SUCKS!
    Whoever wrote the dialogue is clueless. They have no sense of situational awareness and don't know how people talk or would react in certain situations. ALSO whoever casted this show is also clueless and whoever designed the Nosferatu (head vampire) is a ripoff artist, they basically took Las    This show has the most potential I've seen out of shows in the past two years. However IT SUCKS!
    Whoever wrote the dialogue is clueless. They have no sense of situational awareness and don't know how people talk or would react in certain situations. ALSO whoever casted this show is also clueless and whoever designed the Nosferatu (head vampire) is a ripoff artist, they basically took Las Plagus from Resident Evil 4 and the Nosferatu from the original 1920's film and tried to coin it off as their own. Each episode gets progressively worse, more far fetched and there is no continuity when it comes to the virus at all. Also either the writers told the main characters to act clueless/oblivious and **** stupid the entire show or these characters are some of the most retarded people ever.

    I've never seen a more brilliant idea get tarnished by a **** production team and half assed script writers. They literally probably watched 10 **** apocalypse type movies and took the most generic **** from each one and just slapped it into their plot. Writing a script, especially when its trying to be realistic fiction, is a very laborious process. You need to pay attention to continuity and realism yet this show by episode 3 it seems like they just said **** it, we'll do what we want".

    VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS SHOW. I'm appalled that this got renewed for another season despite how bad it is, it's literally comparable to a low budget Syfy film, yet the budget per episode is probably infinitely higher, but way way way less entertaining.

    The Rat Cop guy and Old Jewish guy are the only two well produced characters in the show. In fact the only two remotely good things about the show at all. Literally these two characters are the only thing that kept me from turning off this show after the 2nd episode.

    If you are even remotely intelligent and have a sense of basic common sense DO NOT watch this show as it will only frustrate you. Another generic apocalyptic show that has no original properties to it whatsoever.    … Expand
  13. Luisgar9
    Jul 14, 2014
    10
    This show has a lot of promise. The characters are interesting. The show, overall, is entertaining and brilliant, and this is just the pilot. I expect it to improve as we meet the vampires in their true form.
  14. mgastryker
    Jul 14, 2014
    9
    I'm extremely excited for the rest of the season. The first episode was sucking me in so much I couldn't look away. The characters may be dull but David Bradley is amazing and incredibly badass. I can't wait to see more of him.
  15. Darkdave3
    Jul 14, 2014
    10
    I think the pilot was well done, gives a lot of promise. The acting was good, although not the best. The score was excellent and the horror was well done, as well. I think this could become a new favorite of mine.
  16. mac5
    Aug 4, 2014
    7
    The back story has a bigger promise than the current focus on the lead protagonist and his life as Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Eph). It is the simplicity (or laziness) of the infrastructure that could potentially weaken the series in using this typical work-obsessed male lead through the usual stereotypes with a broken marriage and adoring son. Add in the ex-mistress as his sidekick whoThe back story has a bigger promise than the current focus on the lead protagonist and his life as Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Eph). It is the simplicity (or laziness) of the infrastructure that could potentially weaken the series in using this typical work-obsessed male lead through the usual stereotypes with a broken marriage and adoring son. Add in the ex-mistress as his sidekick who fixes his tie and his duplicitous co-worker who plies him with milk and caters to his every need and they have created a one dimensional typified narcissistic character. In building someone up with a god complex they could have least make him likeable.

    Although visually interesting, why use a NYC backdrop, maybe a remote rural location would have been more interesting (or am I simply influenced by the tension in the rural outback of the Jeepers Creepers milieu).

    In sum it’s the acting that is the missing link in this series not the story. David Bradley’s character is the only primary lynchpin that gels the interest in the story together and am looking forward to finding out more about him and his connection with the mysterious blood-thirsty coffin-bound parasite. Personally I would prefer less on the relationship drama and more on the unfolding horror story.    … Expand
  17. lukechristiansc
    Jul 31, 2014
    10
    Guliermo Del Toro and Chuck hogan are an amazing creator of monsters but not better then stephen king. the strain is something we have never seen this in vampires, science fiction before in this generation i am glad this not some sort of Twlight movie . its awesome. del toro and hogan are creative. they should be proud of what they creative. i can't wait to watch episode 4 or 5 whateverGuliermo Del Toro and Chuck hogan are an amazing creator of monsters but not better then stephen king. the strain is something we have never seen this in vampires, science fiction before in this generation i am glad this not some sort of Twlight movie . its awesome. del toro and hogan are creative. they should be proud of what they creative. i can't wait to watch episode 4 or 5 whatever keep the series going make season 2 plz. grade A+… Expand
  18. BioTofu
    Jul 28, 2014
    7
    3 episodes in and so far I have been looking forward to seeing the next one. It has that early Fringe scifi investigation feel the way the story unfolds. Then you have that comic book like super natural monsters and characters. I do wish the acting and camera work could do better. Anyway, if you like scifi comic book type shows, it is a good bet that you would also like this show.
  19. James49
    Oct 6, 2014
    2
    I too was looking forward to this show. What a complete and utter disappointment it has been. The premise sounded great and I love a good thriller or zombie/vampire show. This show fails miserably on so many levels. It is not scary nor is it thrilling in the least. The plot is so nonsensical and unbelievable it borders on absurdity and it's hard not to see the whole thing as pure camp.I too was looking forward to this show. What a complete and utter disappointment it has been. The premise sounded great and I love a good thriller or zombie/vampire show. This show fails miserably on so many levels. It is not scary nor is it thrilling in the least. The plot is so nonsensical and unbelievable it borders on absurdity and it's hard not to see the whole thing as pure camp. This is like a mediocre B movie at best. Most if not all the characters are downright annoying. The biggest joke is when the supreme vampire/whatever appears. It was the most anti-climatic and laughable scene in the entire season. My Maltese is scarier than that thing. The flashbacks to Nazi Germany is pure filler and a snooze fest. At least with The Walking Dead, or movies like 28 Days Later, there is some suspension of disbelief. The idea that the main character is taking his son with him to kill the vampires is absurd. This band of nitwits appear to be the only people in all of New York (or the world for that matter) to care that there is a plague and threat to turn humans into vampires. I can't believe all of the positive reviews as well as the fact that it has been renewed for another season. I feel like I am watching a different show than these people. I think a lot of the success of the show must rest on the blood and gore factor. The only reason I kept watching it was the hope it would grow on me. Never happened.… Expand
  20. horusmaximus
    Jul 16, 2014
    9
    This is the first new show out in a long time that I'm still excited about after watching the first episode. They don't skimp on the effects or the gore. The characters are fairly believable and well acted keeping in mind this is a horror show. Has that seriously creepy feel to it that gives you the willies. Which is what a good horror show should do. It had a couple slower moments butThis is the first new show out in a long time that I'm still excited about after watching the first episode. They don't skimp on the effects or the gore. The characters are fairly believable and well acted keeping in mind this is a horror show. Has that seriously creepy feel to it that gives you the willies. Which is what a good horror show should do. It had a couple slower moments but before you can really get bored it moves on again to something interesting. So, I think it has a lot of potential and I'm looking forward to more episodes. The vampires in this are seem similar to the ones in the Brian Lumley Necroscope series.… Expand
  21. Marjule
    Aug 18, 2014
    10
    Awesome! Some say the show is childish, but I don't care. It takes itself completely seriously, and that is what makes it worth watching. This from a diehard fan of the televised Salem's Lot. You gonna tell James Mason not to take his henchman role too seriously? I think not. The guy playing Eichhorst is so scary, he's terrific. No matter how ridiculous it may get, I think theAwesome! Some say the show is childish, but I don't care. It takes itself completely seriously, and that is what makes it worth watching. This from a diehard fan of the televised Salem's Lot. You gonna tell James Mason not to take his henchman role too seriously? I think not. The guy playing Eichhorst is so scary, he's terrific. No matter how ridiculous it may get, I think the Strain serves as a much-needed corrective to all the simpy, sappy and outrageously romanticized vampire porn out there. No hotties here, just monsters. Cool.… Expand
  22. BogKid
    Jul 14, 2014
    9
    It's a comic book. It's an old-fashioned, pretty unbelievable horror movie. It's really hokey. BUT, damn it, I like it!

    The production values of this FX science fiction/horror show are very high. The acting ranges from acceptable to quite good. The writing, in the context of the strange things going on, is better than average. Some of the characters -- the German, the power-mad    It's a comic book. It's an old-fashioned, pretty unbelievable horror movie. It's really hokey. BUT, damn it, I like it!

    The production values of this FX science fiction/horror show are very high. The acting ranges from acceptable to quite good. The writing, in the context of the strange things going on, is better than average. Some of the characters -- the German, the power-mad billionaire, the old man with the sword -- are very interesting characterizations. (Tiny spoiler here) Corey Stoll's character, NY Medical Director of the CDC, just might have given the old man a listen. Weird situations just might call for weird explanations.

    But all-in-all, I liked it!    … Expand
  23. Jdallas
    Jul 20, 2014
    8
    I'm a big Del Toro fan and for the most part this series delivers as a summer popcorn thriller. It does have some problems, including clunky dialogue and smart people doing incredibly dumb things to advance the plot. That being said, there are plenty of moments of genuine suspense and the vampiric creatures are fantastic, especially the master. I was on the fence between giving it a 7 orI'm a big Del Toro fan and for the most part this series delivers as a summer popcorn thriller. It does have some problems, including clunky dialogue and smart people doing incredibly dumb things to advance the plot. That being said, there are plenty of moments of genuine suspense and the vampiric creatures are fantastic, especially the master. I was on the fence between giving it a 7 or 8, but I'm rounding up just for the fact the show has made vampires terrifying again.… Expand
  24. AthanasiosT
    Jul 16, 2014
    10
    Great vampire show, with plenty of gore and horror and enough distance from Twilight, to mark it as summer's horror favorite !! Looking forward to the next episodes !
  25. Caste
    Jul 17, 2014
    9
    Just with the first cap, they got me.

    It's like a mixture of Resident Evil (that german gray guys is totally Wesker!) and the vampires and feeling of Blade 2 (Del Toro did this movie, I think) and the result is quite solid.

    Give it a try, and let's wait to see if the rest of the season keeps the good work!
  26. Nathonas
    Aug 25, 2014
    8
    Solid horror show. I love the design behind the vampires. The only real weakness of this show is that it is rather predictable and has a typical plot formula - baddies show up, nobody believes the crazy old man, the authorities do nothing, etc.
  27. droper666
    Jul 22, 2014
    7
    This is a fun show if you like the vampire genre/ zombie stuff. Its nothing ground breaking but it is entertaining and the intellectual mistakes do not pull you out of the story unless maybe you are really anal. The visuals are great though with makeup and visual effects being really well done. Characters are well done and acted as well I like them all so far and hope this show continuesThis is a fun show if you like the vampire genre/ zombie stuff. Its nothing ground breaking but it is entertaining and the intellectual mistakes do not pull you out of the story unless maybe you are really anal. The visuals are great though with makeup and visual effects being really well done. Characters are well done and acted as well I like them all so far and hope this show continues on this entertaining path.… Expand
  28. 31Style
    Jul 17, 2014
    8
    Night Zero, the first episode is out and as in all TV shows, movies, animations … it is most important episode for me as watcher. Most of people will decide if they will continue to watch depending on pilot and from what we see in Night Zero, show might be better then impressions from trailer and spoilers.

    Night Zero story: An commercial airliner lands and stands silent, cold and    Night Zero, the first episode is out and as in all TV shows, movies, animations … it is most important episode for me as watcher. Most of people will decide if they will continue to watch depending on pilot and from what we see in Night Zero, show might be better then impressions from trailer and spoilers.

    Night Zero story:

    An commercial airliner lands and stands silent, cold and dead, CDC agent Ephraim Goodweather investigates the plane to find that the passengers are infected by a vile plague. But …i am not going to spoil anymore.
    We already talked a bit about The Strain and i still cant say if plot is similar to some other materials, for now i see it as original plot but some might say different. I have read few articles on the net and most of them have first impression „it is story of blood thirsty vampires“ … hmm for me that creature from coffin was more like death god. Ok it sucked blood but what the hell was that movement, it almost vanished like ghost. Guillermo del Toro brought some of his mystery world in series, you can see a lot of that in Pan's Labrynth, and it is good thing that add some more intrigue in story. While plot seams straightforward, we are set in middle of game of chess. Ephraim Goodweather still don't see that he was being played by people close to him, thus he is just a pawn in bigger game that has roots in past. First episode left so much questions opened that need to be filled up with information, what is that creature, who organized escape and how will Eph fight all that wicked things.

    Acting was good, there is lot of characters involved that tells me plot will be expanded and not so focused only on one person or two. Next episode is called The Box and will be aired Sun. Jul. 20 at 10:00 pm on FX.    … Expand
  29. danielchagas
    Jul 23, 2014
    10
    Difícil hoje em dia encontrar uma série verdadeiramente original. Quase tudo passa necessariamente pela recriação ou recombinação de elementos vistos em outras produções. No caso, "The Strain" funciona bem e trás elementos que certamente podem ser associados a filmes como "A Hora do Espanto", "Alien", mesmo com o personagem Voldemor de "Harry Potter", entre tantos outros. O que a tornaDifícil hoje em dia encontrar uma série verdadeiramente original. Quase tudo passa necessariamente pela recriação ou recombinação de elementos vistos em outras produções. No caso, "The Strain" funciona bem e trás elementos que certamente podem ser associados a filmes como "A Hora do Espanto", "Alien", mesmo com o personagem Voldemor de "Harry Potter", entre tantos outros. O que a torna muito boa, ao menos nos dois primeiros episódios já lançados, é o enredo um pouco mais complexo que não permite compreender ao certo a natureza da ameaça e a atmosfera de suspense que isso gera (algo em falta).… Expand
  30. billyp
    Aug 10, 2014
    9
    I have just watched Episode 1 and have 3 more on DVR to watch. I am favorably impressed. Much of the first episode was cliched, much was original. Give it a 9 and let's see. Again, I am favorably impressed.
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Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Best TV Season of 2014
12
#12 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
7
#7 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Aug 7, 2014
    70
    he series doesn’t have the best pacing, or the best dialogue (“Well, if the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, we’re going to the morgue”), and in some areas it doesn’t even try: never has a show set in New York but filmed in Toronto felt more like a show set in New York but filmed in Toronto. (When Astoria appeared, full of burning garbage cans, all of Queens raised its eyebrows.) And yet the show overflows with greasy satisfactions, simply because it commits so fully to its own goofiness.
    Read full review
  2. Sioux City Journal
    Reviewed by: Bruce Miller
    Jul 14, 2014
    80
    Ominous, creepy and utterly engaging, The Strain is like the perfect drive-in movie.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    Jul 14, 2014
    80
    The series takes some time to put this team together, even in the same area of New York. And while you’re waiting for that plot turn, you’re treated to a series of lurid images, from yucky to jolting.
    Read full review
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