The Watch (2021)

:

Season 1
User Score
2.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 38
  3. Negative: 28 out of 38

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User Reviews

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  1. skaybay
    Jan 6, 2021
    3
    While it's better than the trailer made it appear it's nowhere near good. The characters, the world and the tone have very little to do with the series it was inspired by. As it's own thing it doesn't offer anything new, trading sir Terry's distinctive style for a mixed bag of trite undercooked tropes.
  2. huyusha
    Jan 3, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. You destroyed my favourite book. I will dedtroy you rating. No mercy. Thank you.… Expand
  3. Megank
    Jan 3, 2021
    0
    An abomination. Maybe could have been ok if they'd created a new watch house, with new characters "inspired" by the books. As an adaptation of beloved characters it's just a straight insult to Terry. They should be genuiely ashamed. Most of the acting was quite good, it's just a pity the cast wasn't given something decent to work with.
  4. saulot
    Jan 12, 2021
    0
    Who is this for? They slapped all the discworld fans in the face over and over agian with thier weird and poor choices to the point the best I can do is hate watch it. But they also include a ton of references that only they would get with no explanation to the People that haven't read the books and there's so many it is to the detrimentoftheworld building..
  5. alxorern
    Jan 13, 2021
    0
    This abomination of a series doesn't even deserve serious discussion and review. Positive reviews from critics say that they have no trace of taste or humor , not mentioning they have no clue who was sir Pratchett and how brilliant was his books. So i really hope this trash is killed after first season and i will be waiting for new attempt by actual people with soul and humor, not byThis abomination of a series doesn't even deserve serious discussion and review. Positive reviews from critics say that they have no trace of taste or humor , not mentioning they have no clue who was sir Pratchett and how brilliant was his books. So i really hope this trash is killed after first season and i will be waiting for new attempt by actual people with soul and humor, not by these "creative" husks… Expand
  6. klokwok
    Jan 17, 2021
    2
    It's like shadowrun but without "cyber" and with stupid amount of "punk" (more like what creators of this show think punk is — pink letters and jack sparrow wannabe as a lead role I guess) in it.
    Very poor choice for the adaptation setting of city watch series.
  7. Licherus
    Jan 5, 2021
    1
    Everything in this show is wrong! Let this be a lesson. Don’t spit on legacy of sir Terry and fans!
  8. Lekhter
    Jan 3, 2021
    0
    Worst adaptation I've ever seen. There are only names from Pratchett's novels.
  9. Gizilq
    Jan 5, 2021
    0
    Oh my, does Metacritic remove bad reviews? But it's not difficult for me, I will repeat.

    Sorry for google translation Over the course of my 40 years, I've seen a lot of gruesome film adaptations. But none of them gave me pain as a The Watch. Why change ALL characters? They made a squad of clowns out of beautiful, organic and most importantly smart characters. Some of the characters    Oh my, does Metacritic remove bad reviews? But it's not difficult for me, I will repeat.

    Sorry for google translation

    Over the course of my 40 years, I've seen a lot of gruesome film adaptations. But none of them gave me pain as a The Watch.
    Why change ALL characters? They made a squad of clowns out of beautiful, organic and most importantly smart characters. Some of the characters were simply cut out. From the charismatic Vetinari they did not understand what. I don't give a damn about gender, but they could have written a script so that she doesn't look like *I don't know how to describe this Vetinari and so I don't get banned *?
    I think the first episode is enough for me. I hope everyone responsible for the series will be fired.

    0/10 - It was never meant to exist. Sorry Sir Terry, we...

    За свои 40 лет, я видел множество ужасных экранизаций. Но ни одна из них не доставляла мне таю боль как Стража.
    Зачем было менять ВСЕ характеры? Из прекрасных, органичных и главное умных персонажей они сделали отряд клоунов. Часть персонажей просто вырезали. Из харизматичного Витинари сделали непонятно что. Плевать на пол, но они могли написать сценарий чтобы она не выглядела как...*я не знаю как описать эту Витинари и чтобы меня не забанили*?
    Думаю первой серии для меня достаточно. Надеюсь всех ответственных за картину уволят.
    0/10. Это никогда не должно было существовать. Простите Сэр Терри, мы все...    … Expand
  10. Angryagain
    Jan 17, 2021
    1
    This show spits on original Discworld universe and its characters. Boring and convoluted story, cardboard acting, poor editing, poor cinematography and mucho woke messages on top.

    1 point for a decent set design though.
  11. Simon1111
    Dec 5, 2021
    0
    Delete the name of Terry Pratchett from this TV show, please!!! It`s the worst TV adaptation what I ever saw.
  12. manningn15
    Apr 20, 2021
    8
    Finally watched the season finale of The Watch and this first season was really good. I loved how unique and imaginative this show was, definitely one of the most unique shows I've ever watched. The set designs were exceptional, they really created a entire and realistic world. The makeup and hairstyling was phenomenal especially the prosthetic makeup for all the creatures specifically onFinally watched the season finale of The Watch and this first season was really good. I loved how unique and imaginative this show was, definitely one of the most unique shows I've ever watched. The set designs were exceptional, they really created a entire and realistic world. The makeup and hairstyling was phenomenal especially the prosthetic makeup for all the creatures specifically on Spike and also the makeup and hairstyling on Richard Dormer, Lara Rossi, Jo Eaton-Kent, Anna Chancellor, Marama Corlett, Ruth Madeley, Bianca Simone Mannie, and Paul Kaye. The visual effects were superb especially Good Boy and the smoke dragon. The costumes were terrific especially ones wore by Jo Eaton-Kent, Lara Rossi, Anna Chancellor, Marama Corlett, Ruth Madeley, Richard Dormer, and Bianca Simone Mannie. The acting was excellent especially from Richard Dormer, Lara Rossi, Marama Corlett, Jo Eaton-Kent, Wendell Pierce, Anna Chancellor, Paul Kaye, Adam Hugill, Bianca Simone Mannie, Ruth Madeley, Ingrid Oliver, and Joe Vaz. Also the music was great too. The only problem I saw with this show was that the writing specifically the story could get confusing and all over the place. I'd love to see a second season.… Expand
  13. shoulderoforion
    Jan 17, 2021
    6
    Read quite a lot of fantasy when I was younger, but never got around to reading any DISCWORLD. There's a whole lot going on here and this show throws you straight in the deep end. It's interesting, but it's a lot of worldbuilding to take in and digest before you can appreciate the story being told. High end production. The over the top acting reminds me a bit of the last HitchhikersRead quite a lot of fantasy when I was younger, but never got around to reading any DISCWORLD. There's a whole lot going on here and this show throws you straight in the deep end. It's interesting, but it's a lot of worldbuilding to take in and digest before you can appreciate the story being told. High end production. The over the top acting reminds me a bit of the last Hitchhikers Guide. I'll check out episode 2 maybe update review later in series.… Expand
  14. geewah
    Feb 22, 2021
    5
    Disappointing.
    The show desperately wants to be some sort of radical post-punk fantasy genre, but play's it way too safe to get near their intentions.
    A few funny gags here and there, and Dormer's performance in the lead are about the only positive takes in this production.
  15. Derenu86
    Apr 25, 2022
    9
    I was delighted.
    This is a poor adaptation of the book and a poorly made ending.
    But it's a great fantasy series.
    I would like a continuation.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021
3
#3 Most Shared TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. The Times
    Reviewed by: Carol Midgley
    Aug 16, 2021
    40
    I have read only one Terry Pratchett novel. And there was absolutely nothing in The Watch that would tempt me to read more (it is based on characters from his Discworld novels). ... It must be said it would have been far more of a mess without Richard Dormer's mad-eyed and knowingly hammy performance as the snarling alcoholic Captain Sam Vimes, who, along with Lara Rossi as Lady Sybil Ramkin, was the best thing about it.
    Read full review
  2. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Jul 1, 2021
    60
    Pratchett aficionados will have long since switched off. But for those who can make peace with the heretical misappropriation of the material, The Watch is (just about) worth a watch.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 15, 2021
    80
    This may be the most crazily enjoyable series I've seen since AMC's Preacher ended in 2019. [18-31 Jan 2021, p.11]
See all critic reviews »