Backstrom: Season 1

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Mixed or average reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 96 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 96 Ratings

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Backstrom: Season 1

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Season Details & Credits

FOX | Season Premiere Date: January 22, 2015

Starring: Thomas Dekker, Dennis Haysbert, Rainn Wilson

Summary: Originally developed for CBS, the Hart Hanson comedic crime drama based on the book series by Leif G. W. Persson focuses on Portland detective Everett Backstrom (Rainn Wilson) and the Serious Crimes Unit.

Creator: Hart Hanson

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Rock Bottom
Air Date: April 30, 2015
tbd
S1:E12. Corkscrewed
Air Date: April 23, 2015
tbd
S1:E11. I Like to Watch
Air Date: April 16, 2015

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Jan 21, 2015

What you’ll see is the best broadcast TV cop drama of the season, with a dirty-to-the-touch sleuth played to the hilt by an actor who’s very much up for this. Read full review

Robert Lloyd

Jan 22, 2015

The mechanics of the cases (again, par for the genre) might squeak or grind here or there, but Backstrom really stumbles only when it strains too hard for seriousness--and it is not a fatal fall, in any case. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Jan 22, 2015

It's annoying to be told that a show whose pilot isn't terrific gets better in subsequent episodes, but like Backstrom, I have a job to do. Read full review

Mark Dawidziak

Jan 16, 2015

The wildly uneven series that bears his name also is a mess, a murky mixed bag of dreary and delightful moments. Read full review

David Wiegand

Jan 21, 2015

Rainn Wilson can carry a series, just not this one, as written. That doesn’t mean it’s a complete mess, but there are significant credibility problems on several levels that need to be addressed to build effectively on Wilson’s likability. Read full review

Tom Long

Jan 22, 2015

Backstrom is dicey indeed. Every time he makes a move, it's got to be part of an intricate puzzle that will be solved. More often, it's just an obnoxious guy staggering off in a direction that turns out to be conveniently right. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Jan 20, 2015

This is one of those shows where one starts to feel bad for the ensemble, as they trudge through bad scripts, doing all they can to elevate it but sinking into the generic quicksand as Wilson over-acts his way into cancellation. Read full review

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User Score

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7.7

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User Reviews

jedijr79

Mar 7, 2015

This is the only show I look forward to watching every week. It's a mix between CSI and X-files. You have a detective who is comical in his extreme cynicism but brilliant as well. I have yet to see a show in quite some time that leaves you guessing "who dunnit" until the reveal and evenThis is the only show I look forward to watching every week. It's a mix between CSI and X-files. You have a detective who is comical in his extreme cynicism but brilliant as well. I have yet to see a show in quite some time that leaves you guessing "who dunnit" until the reveal and even then you might not be sure.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

P8nter

Mar 7, 2015

I love this show. He's different and brilliant. I can never guess the ending. The characters are growing with each episode. Can't wait until the next one.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

skeptik

Feb 9, 2015

This is a show with a lot of potential that is going through its 1st season maturation. Just hope it gets sufficient attention by EOY to gain a following. Wilson's character is both pathetic and hilarious, reminding me very much of his Dwight character on The Office, which isn't a bad thing.This is a show with a lot of potential that is going through its 1st season maturation. Just hope it gets sufficient attention by EOY to gain a following. Wilson's character is both pathetic and hilarious, reminding me very much of his Dwight character on The Office, which isn't a bad thing. It works on this show, though I'm sure some critics will object to the carry over only on principle. The story lines on the 2 shows I've seen are fine, and there are multiple dialogue segments in both shows that brought my family to tears laughing. It isn't in the same class as unfunny comedy Brooklyn 99, nor does it fit with single plot line shows like Criminal Minds. It's more like a more funny version of the old Columbo show. Does it rate a "10," no, but neither does it rate a "0" given by some reviewers. Realistically, it's currently a 7, but has potential for a 9.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

kinsley6

Mar 9, 2015

How can you not love this obnoxious brilliant person??? This show combines humor with intrigue. There really isn't anything else on like this series. Backstrom is so NOT PC that you have to love him. It is good to see a show that you actually like the characters.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

JessicaRobyn

Aug 7, 2015

Backstrom was messy and uneven, but that was a big part of what made it so interesting to watch. This show was all about character driven mysteries without being overly buffed and shiny. I think if Backstrom had been given time to mature it would have taken the genre by storm.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Slanegx

Mar 12, 2015

Backstroke is a detective ,and the show is trying to give a new format with weird and smart-ish detective by solving the cases through empathy....clearly we haven't seen that before....This show needs to get better cause is getting uninteresting by the second, they try to copy HOUSE M.D. AndBackstroke is a detective ,and the show is trying to give a new format with weird and smart-ish detective by solving the cases through empathy....clearly we haven't seen that before....This show needs to get better cause is getting uninteresting by the second, they try to copy HOUSE M.D. And give a complex character through beeing rude and quorkie and having a deep down empathy for people through apathy, like........you guessed it House m.d.If you liked house watch the show its his distent cousin , but in the long run its not original, and the cases are getting boring by the episode.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Troublewalking

Feb 6, 2015

I had high hopes for this show, but right now the show is too way over the top. Every actor is acting like everything they say is supposed to be hilarious or great. It is just absurd. I know that most new shows start with some bad acting until the actors get used to their new role, but thisI had high hopes for this show, but right now the show is too way over the top. Every actor is acting like everything they say is supposed to be hilarious or great. It is just absurd. I know that most new shows start with some bad acting until the actors get used to their new role, but this show at this point is just God awful. I really think this show is getting a decent rating by the fans because they like the lead actor. And he is doing a decent job, as he is supposed to be annoying and an antis social genius at solving crimes. But the rest of the actors are playing the same role. So it is just the worse detective show in history.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

SEE ALL 29 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

51

Series Overview
Season 1

51
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 22, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E13. Rock Bottom
  Air Date: April 30, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E12. Corkscrewed
  Air Date: April 23, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E11. I Like to Watch
  Air Date: April 16, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E10. Love Is a Rose and You Better Not Pick It
  Air Date: April 9, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E9. Inescapable Truth
  Air Date: April 2, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E8. Give 'Til It Hurts
  Air Date: March 26, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E7. Enemy of My Enemies
  Air Date: March 5, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E6. Ancient, Chinese, Secret
  Air Date: February 26, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E5. Bogeyman
  Air Date: February 19, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E4. I Am a Bird Now
  Air Date: February 12, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E3. Takes One to Know One
  Air Date: February 5, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E2. Bella
  Air Date: January 29, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E1. Dragon Slayer
  Air Date: January 22, 2015