Z: The Beginning of Everything

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Season 1
User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 27
  3. Negative: 4 out of 27
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User Reviews

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  1. JennetP
    Feb 6, 2017
    5
    As someone very interested in both Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, I found the series disappointing. Not too surprisingly, it's more interested in their "dysfunctional" relationship than in their prodigious talents--or the way they briefly embodied a unique (and deeply conflicted) cultural moment. While never uttering pop-psychological buzzwords such as "codependency," the series occasionallyAs someone very interested in both Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, I found the series disappointing. Not too surprisingly, it's more interested in their "dysfunctional" relationship than in their prodigious talents--or the way they briefly embodied a unique (and deeply conflicted) cultural moment. While never uttering pop-psychological buzzwords such as "codependency," the series occasionally seems to treat the protagonists as case studies, even cautionary tales. Toward the end, I half-expected Max Perkins or Zelda's parents to arrange an intervention. Lots has been written about Ricci, and I have to say I give her a about a "5," too. I don't care that she's too old, and I appreciate how hard she tries to nail the performance. But, for me, she's an actor who never disappears into a role; I'm always aware that I'm watching Christina Ricci as whoever. Sometimes that works, but here it's distracting. I'll keep watching because I would probably watch sock puppets play the Fitzgeralds on a cardboard-box stage. Z is better than sock puppets, but it needs to be "more better."… Expand
  2. A7sus4
    Jan 27, 2017
    7
    The half hour format works really well, the actors have great chemistry, the performances are great, and the scenery is terrific. That only things that hold the show back are the peculiar casting, (Ricci plays her part very well, but she's clearly older than her character is intended to be), and despite all the many positives, nothing really sets it apart from similar shows; If you digThe half hour format works really well, the actors have great chemistry, the performances are great, and the scenery is terrific. That only things that hold the show back are the peculiar casting, (Ricci plays her part very well, but she's clearly older than her character is intended to be), and despite all the many positives, nothing really sets it apart from similar shows; If you dig romance and drama, especially time pieces, I see no reason why someone wouldn't enjoy it.… Expand
  3. Qldgamer
    Feb 1, 2017
    1
    This would have to be one of the most boring plots I have ever had the misfortune to sit through. Dull is not even close to the tepid paced events that slowly crash down upon your mind.
  4. cherold
    Feb 11, 2018
    8
    I don't understand why this series didn't get more love. Ricci was excellent as Zelda. Yes, too old, but she's one of those people who generally looks younger than her age, so she gets away with it. The rest of the cast is also quite good and the period detail is first rate.

    I wish the series had been renewed; it would have been interesting to see Zelda's descent into madness.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Feb 22, 2017
    50
    While Ricci and Hoflin play well together, the intensity of that primal force, particularly from Scott’s side, doesn’t always come across. He needs a simmering intensity.
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  2. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Liz Shannon Miller
    Jan 30, 2017
    67
    Zelda was a complicated woman, and Ricci definitely has the chops to play that. But the show never really lets her breathe into that realness, resulting in something resembling suffocation. The end result is that we now know what it’s like to party with Zelda and Scott. But we don’t really know who they were.
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  3. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jan 28, 2017
    55
    Ricci is certainly convincing as a Southern Belle, and she helps make "Z" reasonably watchable. But when Scott grumbles in a later episode -- well before publishing "The Great Gatsy" -- "What if I never finish anything again?," there's a question whether, as a viewer, it's worth hanging around long enough to see him do it.
    Read full review
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