User reviews

TV shows are like boxing matches, you have the main events like Breaking Bad, Boardwalk, Game of Thrones. Then you have the undercard or as I say fillers, and this is definitely on the filler list.

I'm watching this in the UK and like this show while there's basically naff all on currently. I'm really not sure the reviewer's have been watching the same show but it's all about opinions and there's counts just like mine does I hope.

It may well be a one season wonder in the end, but currently there's a lot going on like political gamesmanship, murder, blackmail and a reasonable storyline to keep me interested. As said I do class this as an undercard type show, but it's watchable and doesn't deserve the reviews it's been getting.

Personally a lot of shows that I've watched in this class have been canned by the TV powers that be. Which begs the question, do my great American cousins actually know what there watching sometimes, when shows like Grey's (bailed after Season 5, The Mentalist bailed and a few more I dare not mention) are still out there going strong.

I love the US drama, best TV on the planet. They're very few UK shows of equal and we have a tradition in the UK of only having 6 episode seasons, less if you think of Luther.

This is a new golden age with so many great US shows, 3 I've already mentioned, alas BB is no more (nothing touches that). I'm enjoying Hostages, just like The Blacklist, Revolution, Under The Dome and Continuum. All enjoyable filler shows to watch while the main events are on break.

If you've given up on this, I'd encourage you to go back to it while there's nothing on.

At first I thought it was poor acting and an unlikely story, but I'm hooked by watching the DVR'd episodes. I love the twists and turns of each character's loyalties and possible evils....the bad guys are beginning to look like the good guys and even the family members are changing their weaknesses and character. Anticipating a very surprise ending! Looking forward to the next episode!! I am also recording "Blacklist" which comes on at the same time and day. I am also hooked on that show. I don't usually watch TV intensely but my husband has been gone a lot in the past 3 months so I have indulged in these serial shows. I thought I enjoyed Blacklist more than Hostages, but now I think they are both equally exciting and full of suspense. Both shows make the viewer leery about what actually goes on in the higher levels of the government! Who can you trust??!!

I have seen a couple of episodes and I must say my expectations were high. After Breaking Bad and Southland, a trilling drama is really missing on TV. Jerry Bruckheimer is a great producer. This would have been a great series if... it wouldn't revolve about hostage situation, that is normally a short-lived situation that can cover the length of a movie, but hardly a season. This inevitably leads to a series with excessive prolonging and disappointments. Most importantly, you can't really produce a family-friendly hostage drama. This is as dramatic as kissing through glass is intimate. It's impossible to maintain the thrill factor if no one gets hurt in an extortion drama, even if hostages do not follow orders from their captors. Let's compare it to Breaking Bad - except for a few main characters, everyone could any moment become a collateral there. Here, the characters are treated as "babe" piggy that no one expects to die. I must say though, the character, dialogs and events are interesting, well written, the flick is executed very well and acting is superb.

To start on a positive note, the acting in this series is generally good, to the point where it adds a hint of realism to what is an unbelievably ridiculous storyline.

Such is the stupidity of the plot, I feel it would be more appropriate for 'Hostages' to be categorised as a comedy rather than a thriller, and 3 or 4 episodes in I began to treat it as such.

If you are going to create a drama series involving a plot to kill the US President, then surely you need to ensure the storyline and script are as realistic (or simply believable) as possible? Unfortunately, there are so many gaping plot holes and ludicrous plot twists that it's nearly impossible to sit and watch 'Hostages' without thinking about what else you could be doing with your valuable time.

While I read negative reviews of this show quite often, I found myself wondering if this show would be worth my time. I mean, from the previews before it started I would ask myself "How can they do this as a series?" A mini-series? Sure, but a TV Series with maybe multiple seasons??? That point aside, I decided to drop my skepticism and give this show a chance, (I mean ANYTHING beats another mind-numbing, brain cell killing, coma inducing Reality Show!!!)

It took me a few episodes to realize this isn't just a show about Hostages or Assassinating Presidents; there are serious character layers and sub-plots that got me hooked each week and wondering what the heck might happen next!

The actors are pretty stellar, the characters are well thought out and you find yourself flipping your opinions about who they are and what drives them. Sometimes I feel pretty sympathetic to the "Bad Guys" while having no sympathy for the family, others I am torn, sometimes I like them all. The thing that I find more intriguing about this show is the ruthlessness of the "Real" Players (Spoiler) (they aren't the Hostage takers!) So as the show progresses I can see the logic of it being a series. I could actually visualize a 2nd Season; because whether they succeed in the assassination or not, all of their lives will be at stake!

Don't underestimate this show. It has some very top notch serial drama going on (Think "Who Shot J.R.?", cliffhangers but every week. I find it's better to DVR it and watch a bunch in one setting because I am impatient and hate to be left hanging. There is only 2 episodes left and it doesn't look like it will be renewed for a second season, so get caught up on the official website before January 6 when the show returns for its last 2 episodes. This is also the best way to get into the show without getting frustrated by the numerous cliffhangers.

I want to champion this show, not because it's an underdog...but because it really is good drama, good acting and a dang good show overall!!!!

I have to say, i wouldn't normally watch shows like this bur honestly it was straight to the point, anyone can watch it as it is not confusing. Also, its only 15 episodes which is quick. I enjoyed how it was political but there's these big twists. Honestly wish it could move onto another season. Was so upset when it finished. Would definitely recommend. You do not have to be super smart to understand the concept. The characters are all really good and i loved them all. It is not a typical storyline so its not something you have seen before. I am planning to watch it again as i watched it a year ago. Please watch it! You will not regret!

2013 Hostage Drama (late-nite re-run). Stayed with this long and ridiculous "White House Down-like" fiasco 'cos I wanted to convince myself that there was some purpose to it all, and they hadn't REALLY lost the plot. By Episode 14, however I realized they HAD, when "Actor 1" handed the gun to ".Actor 2". Good job it wasn't me, 'cos I'd have shot him, an' I wasn't even on-Set. The only benefit is that I'll never know - Phew!!

Yes,it reminds me of 24. Do you remember Jack Bauer saying: "Right now, terrorists are plotting to assassinate a presidential candidate. My wife and daughter have been targeted. And people that I work with, may be involved in both. I'm federal agent Jack Bauer, and today is the longest day of my life". For Dr. Ellen Sanders this will be the longest two weeks of her life and for her family too. Slow start but getting better and better. Of course the premise can work for an entire season despite what others might say. Every character is interesting and Toni Collette and Dylan McDermott are great. Dr. Sanders is playing Chess with terrorists, I look forward to it.

Not sure why everyone is being such a harsh critic. This show is great and keeps me on the edge of my seat and salivating over the juicy drama! I started watching the second episode first and was immediately so hooked that I went back to watch the first and caught up to the current episode (at that time it was about 6). I do question the writers' ability to make the plot stretch into more than one season, but I guess we will see soon, as there are only a couple more episodes left in the season. I will be watching either way! I loved Toni Collette in United States of Tara - I think she is a great actress. Dylan McDermott isn't hard on the eyes either.

OMG, I can't take it anymore... I've tried to watch as much as I can this is completely stupid. I even register to this site to write how awful it is... Toni Collette is terrible, always the same look in her eyes, family members are stupid, if she was a surgeon, I would not want her to operate on me!!! great expectations bring high deception... Please, tell me that no one is really loving this show. Not sure if it is the wrong casting but the writing was probably done by a 10 years old. How can Jerry Bruckheimer can be involve in that project. Anyhow, that was my first review and if you want my advice:

Don't lose time watching this!

This show keep viewers at the edge of their seats. Each episode has new twists and turns giving you the sense that everyone is a hostage, including the viewer. Ellen and Duncan have electric energy between them. The supporting cast provides additional story lines that keep you guessing. Dylan and Toni are by far the highlight of this new show. Unfortunately CBS needs to move this show to another night perhaps to the lead into CSI. The shows potential for greater ratings is evident, however, up against the "Blacklist" was indication the show needs to move to another night... Poor placement in the line up. It will be disappointing if the show does not get picked up for another season. Great cast and production team at Warner Bros. Better that Lost, better than the Blacklist and better than any other new show this season. Keep the show alive but move it so viewers can find the drama and become one of the HOSTAGES.

i love this show, i don't know why many people are hating on this show. There are many surprises in every episode and its better than many shows so far that are being aired like blacklist (i like it as well :D).

At first i admit that i was worried that it's not gna be as good but i endured a couple more episodes and it was worth the wait. And now i rate it better than many WEIRD and UNNECESSARY shows that are still running in America RIGHT NOW.

STOP HATING ON THIS SHOW. IT DESERVES BETTER REVIEWS THAN WHAT IT'S GETTING SO FAR

Yet another TV show with a premise that's reasonable for a 2 hour movie but can't possibly work for an entire season.

The dialog is cliché. You know what's going to happen before it happens because you've seen it a thousand times before. If you watch TV to have background noise while performing household chores, doing your taxes, etc., it's perfect, you don't have to think at all.

Sadly, after "United States of Tara" and this... thing..., I'm removing Toni Collette from my list actors who's presence makes something watchable. I really wonder why they gave this show the green light, it has nothing going for it.

Despite reading some bad reviews on here me and my husband decided to watch the series after seeing it advertised - and I am very glad we did! We loved every bit of it and got completely hooked from start to finish.

Both of us are unsure as to why the series has received such bad reviews. Our only negative is that because it was so gripping we watched the entire series in just three days!

I most definitely recommend watching this, I even registered an account to tell people so :- ) I hope it gets renewed although sadly I am not sure it can be.

I'm surprised of all the negative reviews because I really enjoyed this. I found it by accident and when I saw that Dylan McDermott and Toni Colette were in it, I decided to give it a try. People need to lighten up yes it's somewhat for fetched like most most shows but I watch TV for entertainment and know that it's not real life. This was very fast-paced and I watched it within two days. Obviously, it's about a family that's taken hostage, but it's much more than that. Which makes it more interesting.

If you like drama and suspense, give it a try and ignore the haters. I was happy to find something to watch because since Covid TV sucks.