Helix

:

Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 10, 2014
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 184 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 108 out of 184
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 184
  3. Negative: 38 out of 184
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User Reviews

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  1. CyberPunk92
    Mar 26, 2014
    0
    1.Bad acting.
    2.Stolen plot with slight changes which makes it incredibly naive and stupid at times.
    3.Simple and very poorly delivered dialog.Its like a Soap opera.Each episode someone is discovering something shocking,everyone is surprised,the end. 4.Trying too hard to be suspenseful and thriller like but it fails miserably because of the really bad CGI(whoever says it looks good    1.Bad acting.
    2.Stolen plot with slight changes which makes it incredibly naive and stupid at times.
    3.Simple and very poorly delivered dialog.Its like a Soap opera.Each episode someone is discovering something shocking,everyone is surprised,the end.
    4.Trying too hard to be suspenseful and thriller like but it fails miserably because of the really bad CGI(whoever says it looks good needs glasses),pathetic fighting scenes and bad camera work.For me personally this tv series is painful to watch mainly because of the dialog.Seriously its like The Bold and the Beautiful.I'm not exaggerating.This is not scifi.This is bad drama with scifi elements.    … Expand
  2. jakalgeist
    Apr 8, 2014
    3
    High hopes but an overall let down. The acting is terrible. The overly dramatic dialog and reactions are straight out of Days of Our Lives. Best part of the show is the intro splash screen graphics with the waiting room / elevator music mocking the serious tone of the show.
  3. CharlesCannon
    Apr 10, 2014
    2
    Beside the embarrassing and easily avoided scientific errors of this show, like looking at 15 nm viruses with optical microscopes and having distinct day-night cycles above the 85°n the real problem with this show is it´s terrible pacing and directing. Some of the actors actually are not that bad but all potential suspense was ruined by odd cuts and a way to convoluted script.
    This is one    Beside the embarrassing and easily avoided scientific errors of this show, like looking at 15 nm viruses with optical microscopes and having distinct day-night cycles above the 85°n the real problem with this show is it´s terrible pacing and directing. Some of the actors actually are not that bad but all potential suspense was ruined by odd cuts and a way to convoluted script.
    This is one of those shows where people blurt out lines about retroviruses or some other scientific term completely out of context or explanation. I'm normally all over campy sci-fi series like star gate atlantis for instance but this was just atrocious. You cannot make "hard" sci-fi and then have everyone act like either naive amateurs or diabolical bond villains, and on top of that not get your science right.
    I started watching because I liked the premise of a present day sci-fi taking place in a remote place, but after watching a couple of episodes I realized that this was not what I was looking for. The show also tries to address some big ethical questions like what can be justified in the name of progress and adoption. This is unfortunately handled in the most hamfisted way imaginable.
    All in all this is one of the worst series I've watched in a long time but it kept me watching by promising to give all the answers in the end. I cannot say that I feel satisfied with the answers but at least I think most of the big questions got answered.    … Expand
  4. lvd162
    Jan 28, 2014
    1
    So disappointing! I was really hopeful about this series but I can't stand watching supposedly smart people (scientists??) being really stupid and clueless. Everyone does everything alone even thought there are 'monsters' running amok killing people. Haven't they ever heard of the buddy system? And much of the acting is really sub-par.
  5. gromit
    Jan 17, 2014
    1
    Wow that was worse than I expected. If the CDC were really the bumbling set of incompetents and morons in this show the human race is dead the first time anything slightly worse than the common cold hits. It was like a weak B horror movie. The concept has such potential but they made it into a bad joke.
  6. bailchanis
    Mar 9, 2014
    2
    This show is so much alike battlestar galactica (from the same guy) that I kept looking for cylons during the all first episode. It has just about the same strengths and weaknesses. This is probably why I could not enjoy it. lots of questions, not a small answer to be expected before long. I will not bother to wait for answers considering how disapointing battlestar's were to me.
  7. Nordix
    Jan 25, 2014
    3
    If you like TV tropes, unneeded and awkward love triangles, and badly researched subject matter, you will love this new series by SyFy. You would think with professional writers in staff ONE of them could write dialogue. All they have done here is rip off Aliens, The Thing, and the Abyss shamelessly. Lazy, lazy writing with no
    Imagination. Add all this to poorly developed characters, and    If you like TV tropes, unneeded and awkward love triangles, and badly researched subject matter, you will love this new series by SyFy. You would think with professional writers in staff ONE of them could write dialogue. All they have done here is rip off Aliens, The Thing, and the Abyss shamelessly. Lazy, lazy writing with no
    Imagination. Add all this to poorly developed characters, and you get a pilot not worth watching - and certainly not worth investing time into the series.    … Expand
  8. toomanyairmiles
    Feb 7, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Trapped in a sealed arctic base with a dangerous new virus and no communications a 'good' team of scientists tries to undo the damage caused by a 'bad' team of scientists whose attempts to militarise a virus have escaped the lab with predictable results.

    Generally poor acting, faux intrigue, pedestrian scripts, and annoyingly familiar concepts recycled from every scifi and horror movie or tv series you've ever seen.    … Expand
  9. Finfid
    Feb 14, 2014
    0
    I'm not sure which is worse, the absurdity of this show or the moronism of the people that give this a positive review.

    The premise, the plot, the characters, the writing and especially the creative force behind this bleached piece of dog feces are all devoid of anything remotely appealing. Please can this abomination.
  10. AndyBill
    Feb 4, 2014
    1
    I work in a Level 1 Trauma Center in Atlanta, GA. Contagion protocols in this TV series are rank folly. Expect everyone to be dead or infected in two more episodes. Question? When did God's last name become Damn? A very disappointing show. There are better ways to spend one's time.
  11. adam1
    Feb 8, 2014
    0
    Trite and obnoxious, that sums up the Pilot and first episode of Helix.
    Helix is a show where nothing happens because the circumstances demand it but because characters consistently make all the wrong decisions, and they are all supposed to be smart, pretty people in authority. I hold little hope for mankind if the CDC is really just a collection of bumbling idiots.
  12. 2kiSeri7
    Feb 8, 2014
    0
    It is rather unfortunate that the synopsis and reviews led to high expectations as I could not have been more disappointed and annoyed. First of all, I usually do excuse mediocre acting for the first few episodes, as actors may need some time to 'get into role', but it was poor, and found myself quickly disliking all but Dr.Hatake. Now this would be okay too, were it not for the terriblyIt is rather unfortunate that the synopsis and reviews led to high expectations as I could not have been more disappointed and annoyed. First of all, I usually do excuse mediocre acting for the first few episodes, as actors may need some time to 'get into role', but it was poor, and found myself quickly disliking all but Dr.Hatake. Now this would be okay too, were it not for the terribly cliche and bland script/dialogue. At many times, I would hear a 'prompt' and think of the cheesiest line I wouldn't want to hear, and that exact line would be said; word for word. Having done this 5 times, it all went downhill, I couldn't take the poor dialogue anymore, and the seemingly 'intense' sypnosis/storyline I was initially captivated by was unbearable.
    Perhaps, giant fans of the sci-fy genre may enjoy this, but if you've watched any suspense or thrillers before, prepare to be hit with cliches, horrendous dialogue, tacky forced suspence and 'shock' moments and to be extremely disappointed.    … Expand
  13. Btron14
    Mar 29, 2014
    3
    It had a promising start, but as the season went on it became clear that the story was on a treadmill. Each episode ends with the promise of coming revelations that are either never revealed, or end up being rather disappointing. The acting, for the most part, is sub par, and the earnest idealism of Billy Campbell is unconvincing and at times rather annoying. If you are the type of sci fiIt had a promising start, but as the season went on it became clear that the story was on a treadmill. Each episode ends with the promise of coming revelations that are either never revealed, or end up being rather disappointing. The acting, for the most part, is sub par, and the earnest idealism of Billy Campbell is unconvincing and at times rather annoying. If you are the type of sci fi viewer that needs the story to at least be plausible this probably is not for you; very little of the story makes sense. It is just one big deus ex machina.… Expand
  14. carlvonmaltitz
    Jan 13, 2014
    3
    If you like jump scares, frozen monkeys, and the sound of hi-tec doors opening, you're at the right place. Well, what do you expect. Judging from the first two episodes, it's a TV mash-up of sci-fi horror elements, and nothing more. You've got, for instance, The Thing, Alien, and even The Abyss in the mix. The suspense is alright, I guess, at least if you haven't watched any of theseIf you like jump scares, frozen monkeys, and the sound of hi-tec doors opening, you're at the right place. Well, what do you expect. Judging from the first two episodes, it's a TV mash-up of sci-fi horror elements, and nothing more. You've got, for instance, The Thing, Alien, and even The Abyss in the mix. The suspense is alright, I guess, at least if you haven't watched any of these classic movies, because in that case you will have a hard time believing how carelessly characters behave in the middle of a deadly crisis. For instance, wearing headphones when in a dark cellar all by yourself perhaps isn't the smartest thing to do when you're on a mission that involves mysteriously infected persons running wild.… Expand
  15. ctsuhako
    Jan 13, 2014
    1
    Very disappointed. Terrible acting and the plot was straight from "The Thing". Lowest point was that Dr. Boyle character trying to coax the monkey out from hiding. You are in an infection zone and say "Here, monkey, monkey"? And, gasp, it then leaps out at you? I don't get all the praise for this show. Granted, it is only one episode, but I really disliked all the characters.
  16. Al5421
    Jan 16, 2014
    3
    Helix is disappointing ...
    'Visually' the series has a realistic look to it ... but that is it for realism ... the CDC scientists and other medical professionals behave as amateurs ... it's a joke ...
    It seems to me that this is a Horror/Sci-fi show with the usual suspense and thrills expected of this genre so for those interested in this type of program it's OK ... but there is little    Helix is disappointing ...
    'Visually' the series has a realistic look to it ... but that is it for realism ... the CDC scientists and other medical professionals behave as amateurs ... it's a joke ...
    It seems to me that this is a Horror/Sci-fi show with the usual suspense and thrills expected of this genre so for those interested in this type of program it's OK ... but there is little accuracy /realism ...
    I enjoy science fiction so I was disappointment in the first episode .. I may or may not continue watching the rest ...    … Expand
  17. shooter17
    Jan 17, 2014
    1
    We had a great time laughing, except this wasn't a comedy or even a comedy-drama. It was a sci-fi show with people dying in it. We couldn't stand it after 30 minutes. Delete the series record on the DVR. Another extremely disappointing Original Syfy production.
  18. BogKid
    Jan 11, 2014
    3
    I have watched only the pilot so far and I am in the process of deciding if I will invest any more time in Helix. So far I find it to be a major disappointment. Start off with "The Thing", add some mad-scientist experiment elements, chase scenes in the ventilation ducts, a little of this, a little of that. Have I left anything out? Oh, yes. Imagination, quality writing, skillfulI have watched only the pilot so far and I am in the process of deciding if I will invest any more time in Helix. So far I find it to be a major disappointment. Start off with "The Thing", add some mad-scientist experiment elements, chase scenes in the ventilation ducts, a little of this, a little of that. Have I left anything out? Oh, yes. Imagination, quality writing, skillful acting (with a few exceptions), real suspense.… Expand
  19. seriesscout
    May 7, 2014
    0
    Fully Potted nonsense. Hair-raising story. Pathetic bad television. Even the actors seem completely amateurish in this environment. If nothing helps, helps only completely exaggerated facial expressions. If I did not know the actors from other series, I would think porn actors trying to be a serious actor.

    Outstanding bad play: Mark Ghanimé and Meegwun Fairbrother. But also the    Fully Potted nonsense. Hair-raising story. Pathetic bad television. Even the actors seem completely amateurish in this environment. If nothing helps, helps only completely exaggerated facial expressions. If I did not know the actors from other series, I would think porn actors trying to be a serious actor.

    Outstanding bad play:
    Mark Ghanimé and Meegwun Fairbrother.

    But also the others can not allude to the bad script.    … Expand
  20. mrmetacrisis
    Apr 14, 2014
    2
    With Ron Moore's name on it, many thought that Helix would at least come close to the heights of Battlestar Galactica. It doesn't. Helix trots out line after line of hackneyed dialogue and increasingly absurd situations where BSG consistently broke the rule of genre television. Characters act like they've undergone a partial lobotomy with absolutely no logic to any of their decisions atWith Ron Moore's name on it, many thought that Helix would at least come close to the heights of Battlestar Galactica. It doesn't. Helix trots out line after line of hackneyed dialogue and increasingly absurd situations where BSG consistently broke the rule of genre television. Characters act like they've undergone a partial lobotomy with absolutely no logic to any of their decisions at any given moment. Their personalities change to fit with the plot's various convoluted turns and you never once get a feel for who they are beneath the chronic stupidity. Its only saving graces are Zagorsky, Ghanimé and Sanada, who at least give some warmth to the one-dimensional characters they play.

    If it were repackaged as a parody of genre clichés, Helix would be a masterpiece.    … Expand
  21. Blueskymotion
    Sep 1, 2014
    1
    Helix is just the proof what bad writing and bad directing / acting can do to a TV show.. this show had a decent start but the story just progressed from ridiculous to very ridiculous to annoying ridiculous and cheesy. It seems to me the writers confused a horror TV show with a horrible script...
  22. WorldofLucky
    Feb 3, 2018
    2
    Don’t even bother, you have seen this a thousand times.

    I wasn’t sure about the tv series. It sat on my Netflix queue for awhile, waiting for me to decide. Finally I pulled the trigger and started watching, and at first I was pleasantly surprised. Sadly, this surprise only lasted two episodes and then it began to bog down. I wasn’t sure how the pretext of CDC investigating a disease    Don’t even bother, you have seen this a thousand times.

    I wasn’t sure about the tv series. It sat on my Netflix queue for awhile, waiting for me to decide. Finally I pulled the trigger and started watching, and at first I was pleasantly surprised. Sadly, this surprise only lasted two episodes and then it began to bog down.

    I wasn’t sure how the pretext of CDC investigating a disease would work or how long the premise would last. I thought maybe it was about a legitimate CDC team and we would see them go to fight Ebola, Bubonic Plague, something man-made. I thought even if they made each season about a specific outbreak I would be good with that as well. So when the first episode revealed zombie like disease I was interested, but more wary.

    Sadly, the actual show seems to be about a group of “immortals” (approximately 500) who control a corporation and they want to either control or cleanse the world. Honestly the show never made it clear what exactly the consequences of those 500 immortals was, and by episode 10 I didn’t care to know anymore. This would explain why it only had a two season run. I have seen this in many many incarnations whether it was aliens, vampires, demons, or some super secret cabal of non-humans. Totally not worth it.

    The acting was good, I didn’t have a problem with the cast at all. I found some of the characters interesting and if they had kept with the CDC investigating worldwide outbreaks I would have been ok with that, at the very least I would have finished watching both seasons.

    Pros: The acting and the characters were interesting.

    Cons: The show itself is something we have seen in different incarnations a thousand times already. A small group of aliens/immortals/vampires and those struggling against them to stop their control.

    Just move on, don’t do it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best TV Season of 2014
28
#28 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
47
#47 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Mar 27, 2014
    83
    The story is an edge-of-your-seat kind of thriller. Clues are dropped, but you never know what’s coming next.
    Read full review
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Jan 13, 2014
    70
    Billy Campbell anchors the cast admirably as Dr. Alan Farragut.... Mr. Sanada is always intriguing to watch. And some of the show’s support players bring welcome spunk to the claustrophobic world of the research center, especially Catherine Lemieux as Dr. Doreen Boyle, a smart pathologist with a smart mouth.
    Read full review
  3. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Jan 10, 2014
    70
    Helix doesn't reinvent the virus thriller, but it's a solid slice of genre entertainment that offers some creepy visuals and believable scares.
    Read full review
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