Zoo

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 30, 2015
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 98 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 98
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 98
  3. Negative: 28 out of 98
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User Reviews

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  1. habrown
    Aug 4, 2015
    6
    The series started out with what seemed like so much hope and promise and I'd thought I'd be hooked. But after watching now episode 5 I'm like what's happening?

    Or, more precisely, what's not happening?
  2. quincytheodore
    Jul 1, 2015
    5
    The idea might have worked, but both the fauna and humans are far from engaging. Zoo has a simple concept of animals rebelling against humans. Enough is enough for them as they randomly converge on some tree or attack random passerby. It has merit since with both viewpoints from savanna and urban locales simultaneously detect anomalies. Unfortunately, there's not much interest sparked byThe idea might have worked, but both the fauna and humans are far from engaging. Zoo has a simple concept of animals rebelling against humans. Enough is enough for them as they randomly converge on some tree or attack random passerby. It has merit since with both viewpoints from savanna and urban locales simultaneously detect anomalies. Unfortunately, there's not much interest sparked by the human characters while the animals certainly can't carry the show by themselves.

    Its most problematic issue is the awkward writing. None of the personalities are fascinating, in fact nearly everyone is either showing exaggerated emotions or lack of urgency. For the city perspective, we have the story of a journalist who writes blog of preserving animal rights. She's meant to be a strong female lead, but sadly she just seems preachy and unapproachable.

    The savanna cast is very elementary, they even react very stiff in face of danger, bantering about theory while the animals literally just attacked them. I reckon it could be better if presentation could resemble Jurassic Park of Planet of the Apes, but such caliber is not within the Zoo's grasp.

    Ultimately, the show sounds rather tediously pretentious and nonsensical. It could build tension, but it would be a long trek for audience to follow since there’s no characters, walking with paws or feet, is worthy on investing time on.    … Expand
  3. whirleygurl
    Jan 3, 2016
    5
    I like the idea of animals taking over the world, it's a fun idea and just as plausible as zombies taking over the world, but the dialogue and the acting is just lousy. The two lead female actresses are so awful they make me want to pry my eyes out of my head when they're on screen. If you kill them off, and find two other actresses that can actually act, fire your writers and get someI like the idea of animals taking over the world, it's a fun idea and just as plausible as zombies taking over the world, but the dialogue and the acting is just lousy. The two lead female actresses are so awful they make me want to pry my eyes out of my head when they're on screen. If you kill them off, and find two other actresses that can actually act, fire your writers and get some interesting dialogue, this series would be the bomb. It has potential, please stop messing it up.… Expand
  4. aaschmidt
    Jun 30, 2015
    4
    I hate to be so harsh, but why is it with nearly all cbs shows of late have the dumbest scripts? This feels like watching another one of their dumb cop shows with a ripoff selection of jurassic park stunts. It just feels predictable.
  5. Mabie
    Jun 20, 2017
    5
    @ Bodkid: Are you really saying that a bear is a "loveable animal like us"? Ha. A bear is a very dangerous animal, nothing like a "teddy bear". If you see one and you think it is loveable and cuddly, you are awaiting a gruesome death. They may be mammals, but are nothing like a dog or a cat.
  6. AxeT
    Jul 20, 2015
    4
    Dumb conventional TV writing and even worse acting bring down this promising premise. Still it's fun to watch animals go amok. The concept (had the same nearly exact one myself) is so big and so good as an epic cautionary tale that you have to be at least curious.
  7. Qldgamer
    Jul 8, 2015
    6
    This is failing to impress, and in the end is making no sense. The acting is OK but not top of the line. I hope that it gets better, and the base reason is not lame for why it is occurring.
  8. blopp
    Aug 3, 2016
    4
    Yeah the show sux. But I'd rather watch a bunch of stupid mutated animals than another dumbass reality show. Nevermind the one lady that stepped on a nail, and didn't notice it until 100 yards after. How can you not love an angry beaver, a sloth that creates earthquakes... and a small animal vet that carries the show? Right...? If only Sam Raimi did this show, it would be much moreYeah the show sux. But I'd rather watch a bunch of stupid mutated animals than another dumbass reality show. Nevermind the one lady that stepped on a nail, and didn't notice it until 100 yards after. How can you not love an angry beaver, a sloth that creates earthquakes... and a small animal vet that carries the show? Right...? If only Sam Raimi did this show, it would be much more awesome. Personally, I love "Stompy" the ridiculously fast elephant. Maybe the french woman died to move on to another better show.
    This show will continue to suck. But, a funny, stupid suck that will be more entertaining than a bunch of scripted humans sitting around a hot tub (i.e. any other reality show ever). Watch it drunk... it won't be that disappointing.    … Expand
  9. Cheetahice
    Dec 19, 2016
    5
    There were great actors, great plot and conflict, but the way the director and producers put the TV show together wasn't very great. The only thing that was good in this TV show was the special effects.
  10. GoodVibrations
    Aug 10, 2017
    5
    I have mixed feelings about Zoo. I liked most of the first season where they were solving the mystery of why animals were attacking humans, but the writers have moved Zoo is a very weird direction with all of the family relationships and the introduction of the hybrids. Serious problems with this show are the dialogue and characterization. Why isn't there more subtle nuance and characterI have mixed feelings about Zoo. I liked most of the first season where they were solving the mystery of why animals were attacking humans, but the writers have moved Zoo is a very weird direction with all of the family relationships and the introduction of the hybrids. Serious problems with this show are the dialogue and characterization. Why isn't there more subtle nuance and character development? Why don't the characters talk like regular human beings? New characters keep getting introduced but none of the old characters are getting killed off, so the narratives are getting more splintered and chaotic. I think some existing characters need to get killed off already to make room for new characters. Or else develop the old characters better. The show has gotten silly, and I keep watching but I am underwhelmed.… Expand
  11. cylun
    Jan 21, 2021
    5
    This season introduced an interesting concept in an alternate reality where animals rise up against humans. The assumption is made that this is possible and it's not necessary to bother about the scientific details. I liked the genre, the setup, the overall story arc, I even liked the characters. The writers included sexist and racist references occasionally, but this was the only flaw IThis season introduced an interesting concept in an alternate reality where animals rise up against humans. The assumption is made that this is possible and it's not necessary to bother about the scientific details. I liked the genre, the setup, the overall story arc, I even liked the characters. The writers included sexist and racist references occasionally, but this was the only flaw I could notice during the first half of the season. Unfortunately, storytelling methods are sub-par. Foreshadowing isn't utilized to integrate subverted plot twists into the main story. This lets them appear manufactured. Overall, it wasn't too bad until episode 13, though. Character and story arcs were built up towards something interesting, towards something I craved to see more. I began to feel attached to the protagonists as we've been shown more and more of their identities. Until episode 13 where they cut off everything without completing it. The last episode completely ruins the whole season, which is full of plot armor, which sacrifices everything I saw in what they've built up. Lost potential for nothing. In the end, it's no alternative reality anymore. It's Jurassic Park fantasy. You can shift genres in a TV show. Westworld does this in a convincing way. This one rushes through it in a single episode. We never get to see who the characters really are and what defines their relationships. We don't get to see what defines this completely new reality that they draw almost in an anarchical way. Why should we feel with any of the protagonists now? Why would we continue to watch? If we want to see huge hordes of exotic animals in a town, we can watch Jurassic Park.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
39
#39 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Daniel Holloway
    Aug 20, 2015
    50
    While the pilot script excels in efficient plot building, it lags in dialogue and character development.
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  2. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Jun 30, 2015
    75
    As with many a Patterson thriller, the breathless pace and spine-tingling what-ifs make it easy to get caught up despite your well-founded reservations.
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  3. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Jun 30, 2015
    100
    The story will grab you, as we slowly see the animals begin asserting their control and the humans at a total loss as to what to do about it.
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