The Young Pope

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Season 1
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 167 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 124 out of 167
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 167
  3. Negative: 27 out of 167
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User Reviews

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  1. Iserlohn14
    Mar 21, 2017
    0
    Squabbling Vatican factions have elected a handsome young cipher to the Papacy, believing him easily manipulated for their own ends. Shockingly, he fast reveals himself to be far more politically shrewd, theologically conservative, and personally eccentric than any of them suspected. The Vatican and Catholicism at large are thrown into chaos as The Young Pope stakes out a bold newSquabbling Vatican factions have elected a handsome young cipher to the Papacy, believing him easily manipulated for their own ends. Shockingly, he fast reveals himself to be far more politically shrewd, theologically conservative, and personally eccentric than any of them suspected. The Vatican and Catholicism at large are thrown into chaos as The Young Pope stakes out a bold new direction for the faith that no one could have anticipated.

    How do you take a premise this inherently dramatic and interesting and screw it up so badly?

    The show is pretentious Eurotrash with a glacial pace, incoherent plotting full of loose ends and apathetically abandoned plot threads, and a gratingly affected visual aesthetic that mars the beautiful Vatican setting with overly-cutesy staging and horrendously clashing pop music.

    The whole thing hangs on the main character, and while Jude Law acts his heart out (and smokes a million cigarettes), Pius XIII remains an enigmatic failure of a character. His motivations, beliefs, personality, and even accent swing dramatically from one scene to the next; one minute he demands and receives (with full, unfeigned confidence) miracles directly from God, then a few minutes later he claims (also seemingly unfeigned) not to believe in God. He's full of odd tics and detached smugness, and even though he's the main focus of the action we're never given any hooks to let us properly understand him or empathize with him (or to the extent we are, they are abandoned or overturned shortly afterwards).

    The show makes a few interesting stabs at how a tradition-minded Pope might try to give the church back its backbone and dignity, but goes nowhere and does nothing with the premise. It seems likely the showrunners aren't believers themselves (though they may superficially profess to be) as they seem much more interested in the shiny surface of Vatican life than the dramatic potential of sharp theological conflict. If you're looking for a serious, thoughtful take on philosophical clashes within Catholicism this is not the show for you.

    There were occasional individual scenes that worked well, and the setting and costumes are spectacular, but that only increases my disappointment at what a huge missed opportunity this show represents. A complete letdown from start to finish.    … Expand
  2. tvshowfan
    Jan 15, 2017
    8
    An intriguing show. The storyline is fantastic - the idea that behind any institution are human beings with their own emotions, motives, egos and pasts. The acting is great and the cinematography is brilliant. I specially like the scenes which bring out the personality of the lead characters.

    The direction for the rest of the show is not that clear yet - whether it will continue to be    An intriguing show. The storyline is fantastic - the idea that behind any institution are human beings with their own emotions, motives, egos and pasts. The acting is great and the cinematography is brilliant. I specially like the scenes which bring out the personality of the lead characters.

    The direction for the rest of the show is not that clear yet - whether it will continue to be one man's quest for power and ego or there is an underpinning of hope and greater good. In some scenes, it is difficult to discern reality from the hallucinations but overall - a show that should definitely be on your weekend watch-list.    … Expand
  3. everett
    Jan 23, 2017
    5
    That a premise this original could wind up being repetitive and ultimately shallow is quite a feat - and a lost opportunity. Jude Law's talents are wasted in a role where his backstory as an abandoned orphan has to explain (over and over again) a bizarre nature and an arrogance that never varies, scene to scene. It's a one-note performance. Why should we care about this man? Or anyoneThat a premise this original could wind up being repetitive and ultimately shallow is quite a feat - and a lost opportunity. Jude Law's talents are wasted in a role where his backstory as an abandoned orphan has to explain (over and over again) a bizarre nature and an arrogance that never varies, scene to scene. It's a one-note performance. Why should we care about this man? Or anyone else here? This is another example of HBO doing spectacle at the expense of heart and soul, aspiring toward profundity but failing. We know more about power-hungry prelates than Sorrentino gives us credit for; they all seem familiar, and the Pope is ultimately a bore. Unless you're into expensive production values and don't need well-developed, unfolding, interesting characters, there's just no reason to watch.… Expand
  4. JorgeLestre
    Jan 16, 2017
    10
    The Young Pope is provocative because it needs to be. Jude Law gives a remarkable performance and the series tries to show you how religion can be a blatant excuse for behavior. It's magnificent, well-acted and Sorrentino's writing doesn't care for those who don't get it or understand it, just like Lenny Belardo.
  5. mauroiemboli
    Jan 17, 2017
    10
    I already watch the entire season in my country.
    We are in front of a beautiful and intense piece of art, great storyline, great acting.
    Jude Law gives a memorable perfomance. The photography is one of the best I've ever seen (including movies), I actually started crying for the beauty of some scenes. Thanks HBO, Thanks Sorrentino. This was one of the best tv series I've ever seen,    I already watch the entire season in my country.
    We are in front of a beautiful and intense piece of art, great storyline, great acting.
    Jude Law gives a memorable perfomance. The photography is one of the best I've ever seen (including movies), I actually started crying for the beauty of some scenes.

    Thanks HBO, Thanks Sorrentino. This was one of the best tv series I've ever seen, but I have to say, it is not for everybody.    … Expand
  6. TitoLabieno
    Feb 16, 2017
    9
    It's mostly a piece of entertainment. It's the wet dream of every Catholic or every person raised in a prevalently Catholic society. I loved it, even if it had some clear problems. It's not for everyone. The first two episodes arc should be enough to decide if you like it or not. The two speeches to the crowd, the one at the beginning of episode one and the one at the end of episode two,It's mostly a piece of entertainment. It's the wet dream of every Catholic or every person raised in a prevalently Catholic society. I loved it, even if it had some clear problems. It's not for everyone. The first two episodes arc should be enough to decide if you like it or not. The two speeches to the crowd, the one at the beginning of episode one and the one at the end of episode two, are just amazing.… Expand
  7. A7sus4
    Jan 26, 2017
    5
    This is the kinda thing some people will actually like for some bizarre pretentious or political reason and a lot of people will say they like despite not because they don't want to seem stupid. Trust me, you're not stupid, this show is. The cast and cinematography are excellent, the story on the other hand, well, it's slow, overly heady, and 3 episodes in remains directionless.
  8. paulaaron
    Jan 22, 2017
    0
    This show is touted as a "drama",but I'm not sure that is accurate. It is too melodramatic to fit that category. The way Jude Law chews the scenery is so over the top that I thought the director may have been aiming at comedy (a case could be made for either satire or slapstick)

    The only thing it does get right is the ruthless business that is the Roman Catholic Church. I once dated    This show is touted as a "drama",but I'm not sure that is accurate. It is too melodramatic to fit that category. The way Jude Law chews the scenery is so over the top that I thought the director may have been aiming at comedy (a case could be made for either satire or slapstick)

    The only thing it does get right is the ruthless business that is the Roman Catholic Church. I once dated a priest (it was his sin, not mine) and was privy to the behind-the-scenes machinations of the various schemes employed to rake in cash for the diocese.

    I'm not sure if La Cosa Nostra learned from the church, or the church learned from The Mob, but they operate in strikingly similar fashion.    … Expand
  9. LapsedWatcher
    Jan 17, 2017
    0
    Vicki Hyman in the Newark Star-Ledger wrote "With its over-the-top plot and rococo themes, it just comes across as Eurotrash--intellectually pretentious, but it sure is pretty to look at it." She is absolutely spot on. It just goes to show that with enough money you can polish a turd. After Brexit and the election of Trump there should be no surprise that this is the treacle that appeals.
  10. Qldgamer
    Jan 27, 2017
    0
    This is was nonsensical and badly written, Jude law is capable within the role but due to the plot issues he never really gets to grip with this.

    Not worth the time to watch
  11. theschekster
    Feb 23, 2017
    9
    I have to say that I'm blown away at the less than stellar scores that this amazing show has received. I thought it was captivating from the start. Jude Law's performance was his best ever, if not perfect in its own right. Silvio Orlando was equally as good. Some of the conversations between Lenny and his mentor drove the script to a higher level and caused me to replay them in orderI have to say that I'm blown away at the less than stellar scores that this amazing show has received. I thought it was captivating from the start. Jude Law's performance was his best ever, if not perfect in its own right. Silvio Orlando was equally as good. Some of the conversations between Lenny and his mentor drove the script to a higher level and caused me to replay them in order to get the most out of them. The only episode that, ironically, I found a bit of a letdown from was the last one, when, what appeared to be Lenny's death, came at the end. But then again, I didn't know at that time that this would be a continuing series. I can't wait for season 2 and can't imagine where it's going.… Expand
  12. Ttwiggs
    Feb 1, 2018
    0
    I am a Catholic. Jude Law as the rest of the cast gave an incredible performance. You must watch all the episodes. The last three are the turning point. It all makes sense towards the end and reveals that he always believed in God, but that God was more powerful and the attention was not ever supposed to be about the Pope but about God and what God wants from all of us,,,peace, love,I am a Catholic. Jude Law as the rest of the cast gave an incredible performance. You must watch all the episodes. The last three are the turning point. It all makes sense towards the end and reveals that he always believed in God, but that God was more powerful and the attention was not ever supposed to be about the Pope but about God and what God wants from all of us,,,peace, love, happiness.
    Yes it does expose the corruptness of the church but that there was a pope as this to also bring down the evils that exist in her,,,I wish there was a pope such as this to do what we all pray for. He was a saint in this series as evident in his miracles. I give this five stars,,wonderful!!!    … Expand
  13. windxtravelerx
    Jan 25, 2017
    10
    Good job making this minisseries. I gotta say, it bleeds creativity, because NO ONE NEVER MADE SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE EVER, showing the Catholic Church as a distorted organization filled with flawed people? Woooow! So original! Thanks, HBO and Paolo-something, for making this so awesome and controversial series that everyone will love. The priests from the Catholic Church might notGood job making this minisseries. I gotta say, it bleeds creativity, because NO ONE NEVER MADE SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE EVER, showing the Catholic Church as a distorted organization filled with flawed people? Woooow! So original! Thanks, HBO and Paolo-something, for making this so awesome and controversial series that everyone will love. The priests from the Catholic Church might not love it so much as everyone will, but hey, what can they do? Cry and complain? They can't fight back, right? It's art and you can't argue against art!!!

    Actually, i have an awesome idea for your next project that surely can be as good as this one here. How about make a minisseries about ISIS and put a gay Islamist character there that wants to change their whole organization from the inside colliding with the archaic visions of their ISIS members? Put some humor in it and put some surreal stuff in there and boooooooom! It will be the bomb! I assure you! I mean, you did this with the catholics, but this is something that anyone can do, right? But if you do a series about the ISIS with your "unending" creativity, i'm sure that they will love you more than the catholics do! Fear can't be bigger than creativity right? You will make everyone happy, the christians, the islamists, the jews, the girl who dated the priest and posted a review here...Your career will skyrocket and HBO will glady support this idea as well because i'm sure that they're eager to do something original and daring as much as you do. Please, do this and i'll be your biggest fan and so the ISIS members!!!    … Expand
  14. rlian220
    Jan 31, 2017
    1
    I had high hopes for this show because it's HBO and the previews seemed interesting. But it's turned out to be a huge disappointment. Lots of style...no substance...boring.
  15. respina59
    Mar 28, 2017
    9
    Fascinating characters, exceptional acting, very odd yet intriguing plot. Definitely not everybody's cup of tea but a rare treat for those who get it.
  16. Soothsay3r
    Jan 20, 2017
    6
    This show has a great start, daring, outrageous, but it is dragged down by a cheesy and dumbed down second act that fits better in a Sunday afternoon matinée film, with such an abrupt transition that makes the viewer feel that he missed some episode. There are even examples that the idea seems to be someone is being two-faced, but in the end is just a feelgood narrative tool.

    Shame such    This show has a great start, daring, outrageous, but it is dragged down by a cheesy and dumbed down second act that fits better in a Sunday afternoon matinée film, with such an abrupt transition that makes the viewer feel that he missed some episode. There are even examples that the idea seems to be someone is being two-faced, but in the end is just a feelgood narrative tool.

    Shame such a daring idea ended up in the most boring tone one could imagine.    … Expand
  17. SArchbell
    Feb 12, 2017
    9
    Love the show and how the Young Pope shows a human side of the Pope as he evolves into a man/saint?/ who defines himself as a man of God?????? A child who seeks his parents? I am not Catholic but as a Christian no matter who we are we all struggle everyday with ourselves and God.

    I love Jude Law in this, absolutely awesome performance. His performance shows the character of The Young    Love the show and how the Young Pope shows a human side of the Pope as he evolves into a man/saint?/ who defines himself as a man of God?????? A child who seeks his parents? I am not Catholic but as a Christian no matter who we are we all struggle everyday with ourselves and God.

    I love Jude Law in this, absolutely awesome performance. His performance shows the character of The Young Pope portrayed so well in the reflections of his performance as the holy father.

    Love the show!    … Expand
  18. brockcheese
    Feb 16, 2017
    7
    This show is really interesting and shines in serene beauty. However, I think the show might be a bit too esoteric for the average viewer, reveling in beautiful cinematography and bible passages.
  19. chidime
    Apr 17, 2017
    6
    Show started out really good. Great concept and great introduction. I had high hopes for this. But it got really annoying towards the middle. I stopped watching and won't finish it. Waste of concept.
  20. adpirtle
    Apr 1, 2017
    7
    The Young Pope is not a very moving character study, not a very intriguing political drama, not a very salacious soap opera, and not a very insightful religious critique. It's all of these things, just not very much so, and that's its biggest weakness. It doesn't seem to know what it wants to be or what story it's most interested in telling. The result is a multitude of narrative angles,The Young Pope is not a very moving character study, not a very intriguing political drama, not a very salacious soap opera, and not a very insightful religious critique. It's all of these things, just not very much so, and that's its biggest weakness. It doesn't seem to know what it wants to be or what story it's most interested in telling. The result is a multitude of narrative angles, none of them especially engaging. However, it's undeniably gorgeous to look at, and not just some of the time. Just about every frame over the course of ten hours of television is gorgeous. Its best moments are the ones where it revels in its visual splendor. Its second best moments are when it sloughs off all that narrative baggage beneath which it's usually lost and decides to get weird and/or hilarious. It's a shame that those moments are too few and far between to make this a great show, but it does get better toward the end. The 9th episode in particular really is great.… Expand
  21. Makri
    Nov 27, 2017
    10
    What is more beautiful, my love? Love lost or love found?
    The Young Pope is provocative, but... it provokes to think about us. Pope who is a traditionalist with a look, it's really a person, who changing his behavior over time, growing up. Are not we the same?
  22. 100tifiko
    Dec 30, 2017
    6
    La primicia me atrajo, original, provocativa pero luego se vuelve lenta e incluso predecible, nunca me enganche a ella y vaya si lo intenté.
  23. Sean66
    Jul 22, 2018
    10
    The Young Pope is a riveting series, and I'm hoping for a sequel. The show takes an open mind. Some might suggest the show reveals hypocrisy, but that sort of interpretation is too naive. The common foiling of characters who symbolize human passion and spiritual devotion drive the tension that makes the series so good. The show follows the life of a Pope who believes the church must beThe Young Pope is a riveting series, and I'm hoping for a sequel. The show takes an open mind. Some might suggest the show reveals hypocrisy, but that sort of interpretation is too naive. The common foiling of characters who symbolize human passion and spiritual devotion drive the tension that makes the series so good. The show follows the life of a Pope who believes the church must be more loving and actually encourage boundaries in a world that is fearful of boundaries and sees boundaries as a limiting of self-expression and freedom. By the end of the series, it's easy to like the main character (Lenny, the Young Pope). One of my favorite elements of Lenny's character is his smoking. Yes, the Pope smokes. This simple elements makes him flawed just enough but not enough to realize he is a saint. There is little doubt this character loves the innocent, wants to protect the less fortunate and abandoned, and encourage sinners to change; even those within his religious circle. One thing is clear: the world has sin and the world has love and hope. The Pope (Jude Law) symbolizes that hope for the world.… Expand
  24. ValBal
    Sep 29, 2018
    9
    Touching performance by Jude Law makes you feel drawn to this character who at first may seem like yet another generic badass american character created for mainstream audiences while in fact things are so much more complicated and enjoyable for the viewer.

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Best TV Season of 2017
48
#48 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
1
#1 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Joseph Ragusa
    Jan 25, 2017
    85
    In the end, it's Law's incredible performance--certainly one of his best--that makes Lenny compelling, mysterious, and complex. We can't help but fall under his charismatic spell and stick with him through trying moments.
    Read full review
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Robert Rorke
    Jan 17, 2017
    50
    The humorless Young Pope doesn’t exactly crackle as a backstage political drama. Many of the scenes seem stagey, with actors gliding in and out of large rooms to be received at a wooden desk.
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  3. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Jan 17, 2017
    50
    With its over-the-top plot and rococo themes, it just comes across as Eurotrash--intellectually pretentious, but it sure is pretty to look at it.
    Read full review
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