Life Unexpected: Season 1
  • Network: The CW
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 18, 2010
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3
Life Unexpected Image
Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: After 15 years in foster care, Lux seeks out her birth parents so she can become an emancipated minor. She finds her father who reveals her mother is her favorite radio host. A judge refuses Lux's request and gives shared custody to her parents instead.
  • Genre(s): Drama

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Chuck Barney
    83
    Lux is one of those cute, quippy, ultra-mature teens you find only on TV. And several plot points unfortunately come across as false. But it doesn't matter. The lead characters in Life Unexpected are so likable, and the interactions between them feel so natural, that you find yourself willing to give the show lots of slack.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    80
    The smart, insightful writing of Liz Tigelaar, the crisp and vibrant exteriors of Portland and the palpable chemistry between all the leads combine to make it, dare I say, lovable, an entertaining hour that might even offer a few insights into the complicated ties of desire and regret, friends and family.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    80
    Life Unexpected is TV pleasure unexpected.
  4. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    60
    CW shows tend to walk a thin line between escapism and soap opera, and after its witty pilot the show spends Episodes 2 and 3 massaging the tear ducts, hard. But there is the potential for something at least as good as “Gilmore Girls."

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. nerdherder
    10
    One of the best shows to come out of 2010! I Have just finished watching Life Unexpected in the UK (literally seen the finale today) and I've been watching an episode a day (as they've been broadcast) for about a month, if I could have sat down and watched it all back to back I would have done. The show has been created from such a simple concept but there was never a dull moment! As with any show, every now and again you like some characters more than others but at the end of the day there are some fantastically written and crafted story lines!! It was sad that the show had to end (yet another annoying cancellation!!) but unlike some shows, this one at least got a good ending that nicely wraps up the show!… Expand
  2. 1975Supra
    10
    A heart-warming, if not sometimes heart-wrenching, show with an on-screen chemistry between the actors that has not been seen in a TV series for a long-time. Cut off in it's prime by CW with the season 2 finale showing the leaps made to wrap the series from the previous episode. A missed opportunity for at least 2 further series. Britt Robertson is an actress to watch out for in the coming years alongside Kristoffer Polaha ( a fairly new face to UK TV ).… Expand
  3. lmcd
    10
    LUX is a great show about a 15 year old girl, who has spent all her life in foster care, finding and connecting with her birth parents. The script is a perfect mix of heart and warmth, drama and humor and it always leaves you wanting more. Shiri Appleby who plays Lux's mom -Cate- looks barely old enough to be Lux's older sister, but the acting is so good and the chemistry between Shiri and Britt is so strong that their relationship is really believable. Then there is a bit of a love triangle between Cate, Cate's husband Ryan, and Lux's dad Baze, which is really confusing for the audience, because both Ryan and Baze are great guys, so it's tough to pick sides. I think what makes the show so special is that the cast and crew have a real bond off air and this really comes through on air. I can't wait to see what happens in the rest of the season, and hope with all my heart it will be back for round three.… Expand
  4. Paul
    1
    Unwatchable soap opera nonsense meant to fool the very young who haven't seen it ALL before. Everything is a writer's manipulation. The teen's name is Lux. (Means light, get it? Funny how her name isn't, say, Verbose. Look it up, kids.) And the couple who will raise her are radio talk show hosts, so they can display the angst both off AND on the air. Oh, goody! Couldn't last through more than 20 minutes of this phony nonsense. I feel for Shiri Appleby, who deserve's MUCH better. It's a shame when your real life drama makes less sense than your Sci-Fi drama. Why don't reviewers just tell the truth and review these shows with 2 words: CW soap. That's all they need to say.… Expand

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2010, TV

    2009-10 TV Scorecard: The Best and Worst Shows and Networks

    2009-10 TV Scorecard: The Best and Worst Shows and Networks Image
    Published: May 3, 2010
    "Modern Family" is among the 2009-10 season's best new TV shows. Find out which other shows made the cut, and which ones were the biggest failures.
    More »
  2. 2010 Preview, TV

    Midseason TV Preview: A Look at New and Returning Shows

    Midseason TV Preview: A Look at New and Returning Shows Image
    Published: January 5, 2010
    Read about the biggest and best new series debuting in the coming months, find out when your favorite programs are returning, and watch trailers for over two dozen shows.
    More »

Current TV Shows

Full List »
  1. Enlightened: Season 2
    Metascore: 96
  2. Justified: Season 4
    Metascore: 90
  3. Game of Thrones: Season 3
    Metascore: 90
  4. Louis C.K.: Oh My God: Season 1
    Metascore: 90
  5. Mad Men: Season 6
    Metascore: 87
  6. Top Of The Lake: Season 1
    Metascore: 86
  7. Southland: Season 5
    Metascore: 86
  8. Girls: Season 2
    Metascore: 84
  9. Africa: Season 1
    Metascore: 84
  10. Dallas (2012): Season 2
    Metascore: 82
  11. Mel Brooks Strikes Back!: Season 1
    Metascore: 80
  12. Archer: Season 4
    Metascore: 80
  13. Rectify: Season 1
    Metascore: 80
  14. All The President's Men Revisited: Season 1
    Metascore: 80
  15. The Americans: Season 1
    Metascore: 77
  16. Endeavour: Season 1
    Metascore: 76
  17. House of Cards (2013): Season 1
    Metascore: 76
  18. Manhunt (2013): Season 1
    Metascore: 76
  19. Family Tree: Season 1
    Metascore: 75
  20. Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan: Season 1
    Metascore: 74
All Current TV Shows »