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Hawthorne: Season 1
  • Network: TNT
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 16, 2009
  • Season #: 0 , 1 , 2 , 3
Metascore
47 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
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  1. PopMatters
    70
    While some subplots are trite (a nurse turns down a paramedic's romantic overtures, saying she's "damaged goods"), the premiere hums along whenever Hawthorne is driving it.
  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    70
    Smith is a winning TV star who's adept at scenes that require great empathy or a withering stare. Given time (and more realistic characterizations), Hawthorne may grow into a series worthy of her talents.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    60
    The pieces are in place for a solid drama-with-humor, the kind that cable channels are serving like aspirin these days. The problem is this show hasn't quite figured out yet how to integrate all the components into a uniform tone and direction.
  4. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    60
    The writing is a bit stilted and predictable, but the show is not unbearable--are some amusing supporting actors and the occasional engrossing medical crisis. As a character study, however, HawthoRNe is weighed down in the pursuit of worthIness.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken tucker
    50
    The results here are mostly mawkish and predictable.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    50
    Directed by Mikael Salomon from Masius' script, the debut hour proves busy but not particularly distinctive.
  7. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    50
    HawthoRNe seems bent on being reverential, complete with musical montages meant to break our hearts. It's not awful, by any means, just too good to be true.
  8. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    40
    What might have otherwise been a worthy effort seems pallid and wheezing compared to the acid-etched Nurse Jackie.
  9. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Randee Dawn
    40
    The medical drama is so pervasive on TV both past and present that any new one must fight to stand out, and though Hawthorne's nurse angle is fresh, the plots barely reach subpar "St. Elsewhere" territory.
  10. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Michael Starr
    38
    The ensemble cast here is flat and one-dimensional--somewhat surprising, since John Masius ("St. Elsewhere") is one of the show's executive producers.
  11. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    30
    If you want a show with engaging characters and drama, and not just a public service announcement about the very real value of our country's nurses, then Hawthorne fails to deliver.
  12. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    12
    Pinkett Smith is an engaging actress, but even her formidable energy can't liven up this sodden drama.
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User Reviews

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User Score
4.0 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 16 out of 29
  1. AdamR.
    0
    This is one of the worst medical dramas I have ever tried to watch. The story is lacking reality. The actors have little to no chemistry, and I can't believe it made it past the pilot episode.… Full Review »
  2. BoydC.
    1
    This show is bad. Very predictable and corny storylines. There is obviously no medical direction from real medical professionals. I've worked as a nurse in a hospital and never encountered any of these situations. They try and take typical nursing realities ie. overworked and underappreciated and throw it all out of proportion. Even interactions between nurses and doctors are way out of proportion with reality. Some of the plots are absurd and way overboard as if trying to copy some of the funky plot lines reminiscent of ER. Although I do appreciate the show trying to convey the abilities of well trained nurses with a strong knowledge base equivalent to other medical professionals with higher credentials, I've never seen a renegade nurse run from department to department ruling the roost. I actually watch this show for the comedic value of how bad it is. Remember when people used to watch bad soap operas just to crack up laughing at how tacky and rediculous they were? This is in the same category. Ha.… Full Review »
  3. OliverG
    0
    This is a comic book show. It is poorly written, maudlin, 2-dimensional, and has little worth, although it is okay if there is no grass to watch growing. Pinkett-Smith is an overacting caricature of herself. She wears camisoles to work in a hospital, and is sprayed down with oil to make her look like a comicbook superheroine. (To be fair, some of the other actors and actresses are also sprayed to look sweaty). Jada is now too old to be a sex symbol (shapely arms and good implants notwithstanding) and she can't act (she always overacts and never seems real or sincere), so it's time for her to retire and be simply a stage mother and wife. This week's next-to-last episode finished with her crying to get her way and her male boss capitulating because she cried. Yay! Cry if you want your way. Despite Jada's talented and connected husband Will, I hope this isn't renewed. If it is, I sure won't be recording it.… Full Review »
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