Undercovers

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 22, 2010
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27

Critic Reviews

  1. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    60
    He's dashing, she's beautiful, and the show is fairly entertaining. But Undercovers adds nothing to the spy show genre.
  2. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Wiggins
    60
    At times witty and always good-looking, Undercovers needs to figure out how to balance its serious, silly, and gimmicky inclinations.
  3. Washington Post
    60
    Undercovers is watchable only because of its stars, whose chemistry recalls the fonder days of "Hart to Hart"-style high jinks.
  5. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    58
    Maybe Abrams just ran out of energy drinks that week. This is a poor caper show that doesn't even deliver half the surprises of TNT's "Leverage."
  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Ginia Bellafante
    50
    The banter between the Blooms is so full of cloying sugar substitutes and so devoid of any real tension that there is no voyeuristic thrill to be had even from their--I'm just going to say it, because the show does--"sexpionage."
  7. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    50
    Undercovers has its moments, but the show itself in some respects mirrors the initial problem with the central duo's relationship--comfortable, perhaps, but failing to spark the kind of passion necessary to elicit fidelity from viewers.
  8. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Brian Holcomb
    50
    The characters are gently sarcastic with one another, clearly in love, and exhibit great respect for their unique skills. What's missing is a stronger supporting cast and the right narrative vehicle for their adventures.
  9. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    50
    It's light but predictable fun.
  10. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    50
    "Undercovers" is so content to lapse into genre conventions, that it feels complacent and banal. Worse, Kodjoe and Mbatha-Raw have such minimal chemistry that they seem to be shadowboxing most of the time.
  11. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Lily Moayeri
    50
    The efficiency and charisma of these two, enhanced by the haute couture and clichéd exotic locales, makes watching Undercovers really fun-but not very believable as a spy drama. It is all a little too casual and humorous to be convincing.
  12. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    40
    The light-hearted international espionage series is predictable, pointless, and, worst of all, cutesy.
  13. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Andy Bailey
    40
    Abrams and company, including Kodjoe and Mbatha-Raw, who possess chemistry but lack sufficient charm and delivery, must find some way to jump-start this misfire before it fades into obscurity, or before Abrams shifts his focus to the forthcoming mystery production "Super 8," which hints at a more intriguing fusion of "Lost" and "Cloverfield."

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Best TV Season of 2010
57
#57 Most Discussed TV Season of 2010
57
#57 Most Shared TV Season of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 5 out of 25
  1. martinex
    Sep 24, 2010
    5
    This show works too hard at being cute. NBC has really been missing the mark lately.
  2. michsineath
    Sep 23, 2010
    5
    Not a very good first-impression. Dry and unoriginal so far. Didn't feel like JJ. Still, I like the genre, cast and creator, so I'll give itNot a very good first-impression. Dry and unoriginal so far. Didn't feel like JJ. Still, I like the genre, cast and creator, so I'll give it another go.… Full Review »
  3. RedRevolv3r893
    Jan 3, 2011
    10
    When watching the premiere of Undercovers I was taken back by how intriguing the Bloom agents were when coming to agent Nashes rescue.When watching the premiere of Undercovers I was taken back by how intriguing the Bloom agents were when coming to agent Nashes rescue. Excellent action(ie.sky scraper fight rpging vehicle) acting and story. Steven's proclaimed to Samantha were just getting started it couldn't be such of an understatement. Following shows went away from bringing the blooms and rest of cast to such a ethralling scenario because story focus was not on key characters for far too long. Once Sams professor came into play ep.7, and Stevens brother ep.10 grounds were laid to get things back on track. The professors death and the dispute between brothering agents made good sense to make things more personal. Writing, casting, and acting has never been so strong in an telivision series. Rating is a 10 and from here on i think more shows could learn from making a whole package like Undercovers has become. I plan on buying this season 1 on dvd and wish i could see a Undecovers movie. Cancelation not here please!!!… Full Review »
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