Tyrant

:

Season 1
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 24, 2014
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 33
  3. Negative: 5 out of 33
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Critic Reviews

  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jun 24, 2014
    30
    In attempting to mix West with Middle East, the show too often seems content with stereotyping both.
  2. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Jun 24, 2014
    30
    Though his Barry is a bit of a stiff, Rayner among the least of the show’s problems. There’s not a fleshed-out character in the show.
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jun 24, 2014
    30
    Some ambitious but flawed dramas get better the more you watch. Tyrant is not one of them. The plotting is obvious, the characters broadly and shallowly drawn, and authenticity evaporates the moment you realize everyone in this land is speaking in clipped Faux-rabian British accents like out of some '40s melodrama.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Jun 23, 2014
    30
    A clumsily written and stultifyingly acted TV drama stocked with tired and terribly broad notions of Muslim culture in a make-believe nation on the brink.
  6. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Jun 24, 2014
    0
    It's surprising to me that this ever got past the development stage, because nothing about Tyrant truly works. It's a halting, strained hodgepodge that ends up being an awkward mixture of bland and offensive.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
21
#21 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 156 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 119 out of 156
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 156
  3. Negative: 22 out of 156
  1. Nikola
    Jul 3, 2014
    8
    This tv show is underrated without any reason.
    I am very pleased since I watched the first two episodes.
    I expect a little more political    This tv show is underrated without any reason.
    I am very pleased since I watched the first two episodes.
    I expect a little more political machinations, mixed with Middle Eastern tyranny.
    It will be interesting to see how it will develop relationships between brothers Al Fayeed.
    The acting is quite good, although I expected a little more from Adam Rayner in the role Bassam. That is a very good impression left Ashraf Barhom as Jamal.
    American families Bassam Al Fayeed led by Jennifer Finnigan as Molly and their two teenage children are very faint in their roles.My compliments go and Moran Atias as Leila Al Fayeed and Justin Kirk as John Tucker: The U.S. diplomat to Abbudin, as well as places where the TV show was recorded.    … Full Review »
  2. Lisa24
    Jun 25, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I'm glad I did not listen to the negative reviews. Many of them seem to have a preconceived notion of what Tyrant should be like based on how they themselves would have written for a fictional show about the Middle East. Please, be my guest - write it. I'll be happy to check it out. But don't punish Tyrant. Yes it is violent, but unfortunately so is GofT, Fargo, 24, Homeland and most of the other top program s. Do not single out this one show and complain about its violence. Yes there is rape. Rape is horrific and should never be treated lightly in programming. But the rape scenes in GofT and Tyrant seem to get more outrage than real rape cases. Please put some of that outrage into getting justice for real life victims and their families (Steubenville). Stereotypes also are everywhere in movies and tv. Look at Sons of Anarchy. Anyone think that a real biker group would get away with the things SAMCRO does? What about the stereotyping and violence in True Detective? Look at the way Southerners are portrayed (FNL) or Italians (the Sopranos) or the countless shows that stereotype black America. It is television! Tyrant is a entertaining show. Because it is a show about the Middle East we need to walk on eggshells? It has to be politically correct? Personally I find it nice to have a break from all the law/medical drams and "reality" shows. I cannot wait to see how this series unfolds.… Full Review »
  3. EludiumQ36
    Jun 28, 2014
    9
    My review is only from watching the premiere episode: Very adult, I like the start of this series. I like the premise, that the estrangedMy review is only from watching the premiere episode: Very adult, I like the start of this series. I like the premise, that the estranged "prince" trying to lead an American life is forced by circumstance back into his native family, and consequently forced to face a life, a destiny he ran from 20 yrs ago. Very intriguing, but I'm sure this will get quite political, with alliances and hostile factions setting up and that's when I tune out -- seen it all before in countless other politi-shows, but until (and if) they hit that point I'll continue to watch.… Full Review »
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