The Unit

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 7, 2006
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 154 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 105 out of 154
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 154
  3. Negative: 34 out of 154
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User Reviews

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  1. ReviewCritic
    Jan 3, 2012
    6
    Compelling and interesting, however the special effects are not top notch. The acting performances are also pretty good. I like the Allstate guy, lol. He doesn't do commercials anymore, apparently.
  2. derstreber
    Sep 14, 2014
    10
    The Unit maybe one of the best tv shows I have ever seen. I loved the look, the style and everything. It was perfect. Such a shame that it was discontinued just to produce one more useless NCIS spin-off.
    Kick all NCIS stuff out of your program except ne original one that was really good and go back producing The Unit. Dennis Haysbert was awesome btw.
  3. Innovationrules
    Jul 20, 2011
    10
    The Unit represents one of the most compelling hours of television anywhere and anytime. I am flummoxed by the critics average score, other than to say critics are generally against any TV drama that purveys the military in anything approaching a favorable light.

    In fact the drama is many times so gripping that the episode becomes difficult to watch. Is it too much for at least some home    The Unit represents one of the most compelling hours of television anywhere and anytime. I am flummoxed by the critics average score, other than to say critics are generally against any TV drama that purveys the military in anything approaching a favorable light.

    In fact the drama is many times so gripping that the episode becomes difficult to watch. Is it too much for at least some home viewers to reach star status?

    Ultimately, I believe the the show suffered from two flaws that lead to its failure; one common and one not so common. The common one is that in 5 years the characters did not evolve enough to deep the deeply faithful viewership alive. The show was at its best presenting the army's best soldiers in impossible situations, but floundered in the continuing Kafkaesque moments with wives and girlfriends.

    The second flaw was the wife story line. It was frustratingly unrealistic. No one, and I mean no one, can watch even 1 season of absolutely shunned wife long suffering and comparatively uneventful story lines while being complicitly lied to, and not be frustrated. Not even Jonas would not tell the love of his life what he was doing. The evolution in the last season was a band-aid to this issue, not a solution.

    Kudos to the writers and the producers of an absolutely brilliant idea and some of the best writing on TV. But Andy Griffin shows are dead. People need to change. It's part of the fun.    … Expand
  4. twoo
    Mar 8, 2006
    10
    Best new show since 24.
  5. [Anonymous]
    Mar 12, 2006
    8
    The all-state guy is good.
  6. DiannaE
    Mar 8, 2006
    9
    Tremendous impact with the pilot. Like the actors and the characters. Love the way the men are "good" men who are utterly dangerous. Some missteps here and there but I'lm looking forward to the way the show grows.
  7. PerryD
    Mar 8, 2006
    7
    The permise was good but what will it be for an ongoing series. They can't always save a hijacked plane. What's next a Bank, another 911? It is different for a change.
  8. ClintN
    Aug 3, 2006
    9
    I give it a 9 only because of some "cheesyness" in both the Unit members in the field and the wives at home. Hope the show stays on for a long time to come. I read Erik Haney's book and loved it! Again this show is great! "Have a good 'un".
  9. phillipk
    May 11, 2009
    10
    Terrific show. Please do not take it off the air. My buddies and I watch it faithfully. Very well done. One of the best on TV.
  10. spud
    Jul 8, 2016
    2
    Surprisingly bad action/drama series from David Mamet, the mind behind such brilliant works as Glengarry Glenn Ross, The Verdict, and House of Games. The Unit is badly paced, poorly acted, jingoistic drivel. And, yet, the worst thing about it is that it is unbelievably boring.
  11. Broyax
    Jan 19, 2017
    3
    Une série dont la réalisation est sans reproche mais qui reste trop basse de plafond et qui connaît beaucoup de passages à vide. ça fait penser à du Tom Clancy légèrement dégrossi, soit la propagande pro-américaine habituelle (protégez et sauvez le monde libre etc).

    Le point qui aurait pu être intéressant concerne la vie quotidienne des protagonistes qui aurait pu donner lieu à quelques    Une série dont la réalisation est sans reproche mais qui reste trop basse de plafond et qui connaît beaucoup de passages à vide. ça fait penser à du Tom Clancy légèrement dégrossi, soit la propagande pro-américaine habituelle (protégez et sauvez le monde libre etc).

    Le point qui aurait pu être intéressant concerne la vie quotidienne des protagonistes qui aurait pu donner lieu à quelques questionnements sur leur métier si particulier mais que nenni : on garde les oeillères et on ne relève surtout pas la tête sous peine de se cogner brutalement au plafond dogmatique du genre vu, revu et usé jusqu'à la corde.

    Certes, cela reste étonnamment sobre en comparaison d'un 24H Chrono mais le train-train et la répétition des situations ont raison un peu trop vite de notre patience.    … Expand
  12. ChristopherF.
    Oct 3, 2007
    10
    Better with each episode...a good education for the all too common and naive citizen who chooses to believe this world doesn't or needn't exist. As the father of one of these soldiers, some of the over-dramatization is evident. However, it is 80% on the money and overdue as a genre. What Hollywood is afraid to produce, TV has provided--yet another indication that TV is the hot Better with each episode...a good education for the all too common and naive citizen who chooses to believe this world doesn't or needn't exist. As the father of one of these soldiers, some of the over-dramatization is evident. However, it is 80% on the money and overdue as a genre. What Hollywood is afraid to produce, TV has provided--yet another indication that TV is the hot medium right now that has attracted the more daring artists and writers.… Expand
  13. BU
    Nov 28, 2008
    8
    For those of us who grew up on the A Team, Commando and the like this show's good for a weekly action fix. I've never been in the military, but its still easy to tell that there's a lot of poetic license, and I bet most military types probably hate it. Even so, I still enjoy it. I rate Patrick, Martini & Foley, and Haysbert is the man, but I'd like to see a version For those of us who grew up on the A Team, Commando and the like this show's good for a weekly action fix. I've never been in the military, but its still easy to tell that there's a lot of poetic license, and I bet most military types probably hate it. Even so, I still enjoy it. I rate Patrick, Martini & Foley, and Haysbert is the man, but I'd like to see a version that had all the wives' scenes edited out. Too much drama for my tastes.… Expand
  14. SteffiK
    Mar 11, 2006
    2
    This is so badly over-acted, and the situations are so ridiculously oversimplified, with everyone except the military being the bad guy (a wife can't leave the base with her child? being brain-washed by the miltary version of the Stepford wives? Are you kidding me???), that only the least sophisticated will watch it (or, so many of them will, that it will become a megahit). The This is so badly over-acted, and the situations are so ridiculously oversimplified, with everyone except the military being the bad guy (a wife can't leave the base with her child? being brain-washed by the miltary version of the Stepford wives? Are you kidding me???), that only the least sophisticated will watch it (or, so many of them will, that it will become a megahit). The military must be stewing over this (if I were in the military, I sure as hell would be!). I'd be surprised if it lasts three episodes.… Expand
  15. TimG
    Mar 10, 2006
    5
    Great premise. Terrible execution. The dialogue was flat, un-inspiring, and delievered less than realistic. I blame the writers for most of this. The actors can only work with what they have. Casting was good except for Scott Foley. He is about as realistic as a special forces soldier as Jason Priestly as a ...well...special forces solder. I give this show a 5 because it has a good Great premise. Terrible execution. The dialogue was flat, un-inspiring, and delievered less than realistic. I blame the writers for most of this. The actors can only work with what they have. Casting was good except for Scott Foley. He is about as realistic as a special forces soldier as Jason Priestly as a ...well...special forces solder. I give this show a 5 because it has a good premise. If you are a fan of books like Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, or Alias, this show has potential if the writing can be saved. I did like that the grunts chose to take the plane down at the request of someone they recognized as an "operator" instead of following orders.… Expand
  16. Matt
    Mar 7, 2006
    9
    Good debut. Good action and acting. Interesting twist at the end. I plan to be a regular viewer.
  17. MikeP
    Mar 7, 2006
    0
    Absolutely pathetic. The plot is terrible, the acting is beyond cheesy, the characters lack originality...Admittedly, I couldn't stop watching because this was so bad!!
  18. TonyR
    Mar 8, 2006
    9
    well done. I don't need a Private Ryan level of intensity for a weekly show but I like the step up from the often too pristine environment present in a JAG episode. the key for me will be if they can stay on track with the challenges of the job they and their families bear in the course of what they have chosen to do. An episode or two that tries to get politcal will lose me fast. well done. I don't need a Private Ryan level of intensity for a weekly show but I like the step up from the often too pristine environment present in a JAG episode. the key for me will be if they can stay on track with the challenges of the job they and their families bear in the course of what they have chosen to do. An episode or two that tries to get politcal will lose me fast. this should remain a story about poeple who have decided to be the point of the spear and less about who is weilding the spear.… Expand
  19. LornaC
    Mar 8, 2006
    3
    I thought the combination of Mamet and Haysbert would be unbeatable, but the show has a strange 1950s quality to it. The stay-at-home wives were dull and boring, and even the men's action sequences seemed draggy.
  20. DrewF
    Mar 9, 2006
    7
    Solid debut ep. The wives-bit was a little overdone, but i liked the military portion and the action. I'll tune in for the next couple episodes to see how things go.
  21. ChrisM
    Apr 1, 2006
    9
    Great show I enjoy the tightly wound plots and fast moving action. Keep it coming .......
  22. SYLVIAT
    Apr 29, 2006
    10
    Strong actors and great show! You go guys!
  23. MelissaK
    Apr 4, 2006
    10
    Awesome show!! I question the low ratings by some of these people - Are you watching the same show that I am? Do you know anything about acting? I hardly think so.
  24. JustinW
    Apr 8, 2006
    7
    A good show with a good concept. The plot is sometimes either predictable or boring some of the actors on Haysburt's team aren't very good. Nonetheless, "The Unit" is one of the my favorite shows.
  25. NA
    Feb 11, 2007
    10
    It's a fun break from the CSI's and reality crap.
  26. JARussell
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    One of my favorite shows
  27. alexg
    Apr 7, 2009
    10
    I love this show. The acting and attention to detail when it comes to the weapons and tactics is awesome! I hope to see a movie maybe or a special extra long episode some day? There are too many epic moments to count.
  28. DavidE
    Dec 12, 2006
    10
    Show has good morals! Well written scrips! Lots of MacGyver type of action! Keep me coming back every week. Actually this is the only show that I watch with my wife..... Awesom keep it on!
  29. JustinR
    Mar 16, 2006
    9
    If you love David Mamet's style of dialogue, which I do, this is ear candy for his fans. The cast is top quality with no expense spared apparently on them or the action sequences. This is a hell of a show for television and I believe the best is yet to come.
  30. ScottS
    Mar 23, 2006
    2
    Having watched the third episode, I can now unequivocally say this show is offensively bad. My wife figured that out after the first episode. What can I say? I'm a bit slow, I guess. Bad acting + mediocre writing = a painful hour. I can say the show looks pretty, but pretty technical stuff is easy; writing and acting are the hard stuff that this show doesn't get right. See this Having watched the third episode, I can now unequivocally say this show is offensively bad. My wife figured that out after the first episode. What can I say? I'm a bit slow, I guess. Bad acting + mediocre writing = a painful hour. I can say the show looks pretty, but pretty technical stuff is easy; writing and acting are the hard stuff that this show doesn't get right. See this year's The Shield for writing and acting done right.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best TV Season of 2006
33
#33 Most Discussed TV Season of 2006
16
#16 Most Shared TV Season of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 4 out of 25
  1. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Robert Abele
    70
    There are glimmers of something refreshingly different.
    Read full review
  2. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    80
    One of the major strengths of "The Unit" is its ability to tackle the blurry ethical lines and confusing behavioral codes of the military during a time of war.
    Read full review
  3. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    80
    It just oozes potential with sharp dialogue and a strong cast.
    Read full review
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