The Defenders: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Ratings

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7.1	Your Score
7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

CBS | Season Premiere Date: September 22, 2010

Starring: James Belushi, Jerry O'Connell, Jurnee Smollett

Summary: Pete Kaczmarek (Jerry O'Connell) and Nick Morelli (Jim Belushi) are two Las Vegas defense attorneys who go all out for their clients.

Creator: Niels Mueller and Kevin Kennedy (III)

Genre(s): Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E18. Morelli v. Kaczmarek
Air Date: March 11, 2011
tbd
S1:E17. Nevada v. Greene
Air Date: March 4, 2011
tbd
S1:E16. Noland v. Galloway Pharmaceuticals
Air Date: February 25, 2011

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Verne Gay

The show is an old-fashioned courtroom procedural, but the pilot has enough sharp writing and well-greased plot twists to suggest future promise. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

It's a brash, enjoyable hour that doesn't take itself very seriously, though fighting for their underdog clients is very serious business. Read full review

Ellen Gray

The Defenders, based on a documentary about a pair of hotshot Las Vegas lawyers, is easily the best thing to happen to Jim Belushi since "According to Jim" was canceled and people like me had to stop using him as a punchline....[And] They're not the only fun characters. Read full review

Jonathan Storm

The plots feature lots of creative legal give-and-take to keep the audience amused and guessing. Read full review

David Hinckley

On the correct assumption that almost no one watching TV today remembers the original "Defenders" series, CBS has created a new one with more swash, more buckle and results that are modestly entertaining. Read full review

Barry Garron

Although titled The Defenders, there is no mistaking this stubbornly and unaccountably bland legal show for the bold CBS series of the 1960s with the same name. Read full review

Tim Goodman

Belushi and O'Connell are two jokers who love the law and practice in Las Vegas and ... oh, forget it. The show is lousy. Read full review

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User Score

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User Reviews

TastyJamProject

Apr 7, 2011

This is my new favourite show. Intelligent, funny and usually morally conscious, "The Defenders" is a smart legal thriller that outshines predecessors with it's mixture of mystery, humour and drama. I hope this show sticks around because I wasn't much of a fan of Belushi after the horribleThis is my new favourite show. Intelligent, funny and usually morally conscious, "The Defenders" is a smart legal thriller that outshines predecessors with it's mixture of mystery, humour and drama. I hope this show sticks around because I wasn't much of a fan of Belushi after the horrible "According to Jim" but he shines here, alongside his more than competent co-star Jerry O'Connell who has always put forward his A-Game. A worthwhile show that rewards more and more with continued viewing.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TudorPopescu

Nov 1, 2020

I really like it when multiple heroes team up to fight against a greater evil. The Defenders is a good series. I loved seeing them interact with each other and hearing their banter. I liked every action scene. Great combat choreography as we've come to expect from the Netflix Marvel series.I really like it when multiple heroes team up to fight against a greater evil. The Defenders is a good series. I loved seeing them interact with each other and hearing their banter. I liked every action scene. Great combat choreography as we've come to expect from the Netflix Marvel series. I also think the pacing was good, I don't remember ever being bored. There are also some twists in the story.

One of the main criticisms of this series was that the Hand was a boring and underwhelming villain. I don't think that. They weren't the best villain, but they weren't bad by any means.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Destro521

Nov 10, 2010

Great show. If you liked Belushi in according to jim, you will like this. Other then the great acting, it's fun to see the rivalry between the D.A. and the defense lawyers. Easy to watch, easy to follow.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

aboren

Oct 3, 2010

the cast is great, the stories are well fit to a 50 minutes show.
and for sure, after watching a lot of new shows. this is one of the best there is.
if you love all the law shows, and you want to laugh a little bit, this is the show for you.
hope it will stay on the air.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

CritiqueGirl

Feb 26, 2011

I didn't think I would like the show but Jim Belushi does a good job with his character and there are nice twists with the legal battles. It is not deep or preachy and does touch on social issues but without being heavy handed. I find I really am looking to see just how the case will be handled.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

mrcritic

Sep 25, 2010

I expected lots of this show. I tried watching this, but right when the first commercial break came up, I made a dash out of the room. I like the idea, and the cast, but the overall show is boring and lame. They get so hyped over a billboard. Then again, I get hyped about commercial breaks.I expected lots of this show. I tried watching this, but right when the first commercial break came up, I made a dash out of the room. I like the idea, and the cast, but the overall show is boring and lame. They get so hyped over a billboard. Then again, I get hyped about commercial breaks. Go figure.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Seasons & Episodes

65

Series Overview
Season 1

65
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E18. Morelli v. Kaczmarek
  Air Date: March 11, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E17. Nevada v. Greene
  Air Date: March 4, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E16. Noland v. Galloway Pharmaceuticals
  Air Date: February 25, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E15. Nevada v. Hunter
  Air Date: February 18, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E14. Nevada v. Doug the Mule
  Air Date: February 11, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E13. Nevada v. Donnie The Numbers Guy
  Air Date: February 4, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E12. Nevada v. Wayne
  Air Date: January 12, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E11. Nevada v. Riley
  Air Date: December 15, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E10. Nevada v. Dennis
  Air Date: December 8, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E9. Whitten v. Fenlee
  Air Date: November 17, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E8. Nevada v. Killa Diz
  Air Date: November 10, 2010
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  S1:E7. Las Vegas v. Johnson
  Air Date: November 3, 2010
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  S1:E6. Nevada v. Rodgers
  Air Date: October 27, 2010
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  S1:E5. Nevada v. Senator Harper
  Air Date: October 20, 2010
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  S1:E4. Nevada v. Cerrato
  Air Date: October 13, 2010
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  S1:E3. Nevada v. Carter
  Air Date: October 6, 2010
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  S1:E2. Las Vegas v. Reid
  Air Date: September 29, 2010
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  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 22, 2010