The Lake (2022– ) User Reviews

It certainly isn't Schitts Creek

[apmapm · 5/10 · 14 August 2022]

This show so wants to be the next Schitts Creek, and it so isn't. I guess SC's first season was a bit rough, but the characters grew on you. These characters, I genuinely disliked more and more as the show went on. About the only lovable one was the handyman/storekeeper whose name I've already forgotten.

The plot was a bit of a stretch from the start, and, again, grew more rediculous as the episodes unfolded, with an awful ending and no sense of closure.

The show had a lot of potential, and squandered it all. I hope Amazon save their money and don't bother making the second season.

Forced Dialogue

[acoolmac · 5/10 · 3 October 2022]

So many shows these days mistake rapid-fire dialogue for wittiness. It is an attempt to make the character sound quick and with it, but it frequently makes them have dialogue that sounds forced and pathetically unfunny. That is the case here. The first of a few flaws. The quality shows have characters that speak with natural rhythm. The development and interaction flows evenly and the humor is naturally funny. The characters in The Lake come out of the starting gate trying to entertain the audience by forcing the issue. There is also a believability factor missing here. The relationships just don't feel real or believable.

Just too much. Superficial jokes

[toddcha · 6/10 · 27 June 2022]

The theme is simple and straightforward. To some people it may be a bit boring and lack of freshness. But that's fine. What really ruins the show is the main character Justin. I don't know what's wrong with the writer and the director, but it seems that they intentionally make the character extremely unfit the social setting. They make the character so unnatural and weird for the environment as if Justin is very incapable of interaction and relationship. Who would introduce himself as a 'birth father' to a total stranger? An openly gay becomes a stammer before a cute boy? So unrealistic. Jordan Gavaris overplays the character in many ways, making almost every joke/funny scene unbearable to see. Half of the time I wonder why he portrays the role in such a dramatic way. Justin talks like a nonstop nagging 48 year old person who has a screw loose or something and talks in high pitch.

Awful

[Ripshin · 26 June 2022]

It's apparent, that this series WANTS to be the next Canadian "Schitt's Creek." But, NO. Awkward. Poor writing. Performances are so-so. Jordan Gavaris is grating. Julia Stiles is slumming. I've binged this thing, on a Saturday night. Eight episodes. Honestly, I'm likely stopping halfway through the final episode. THAT'S how MUCH I don't care. Not interested in the conclusion.

Reminded me of camp movies from the 80s

[Caribtony · 8/10 · 5 July 2022]

Not sure why there are so many negative reviews but I guess haters gonna hate. This series is a witty, light hearted summer tale of a gay dad and the daughter he gave up for adoption They find conflict with the dad's stepsister when he discovers she inherited the family cottage from his father. The schemes to get back his inheritance are silly but fun. The acting is good, the interaction between cast works. It's not Emmy winning material, fellow reviewers, but it's still good. The lead actor holds his own, and Julia Stiles delivers as always. Highly recommend for ....... lite summer viewing.

Not for kids

[katemc-09022 · 6/10 · 22 July 2022]

A lot of content that kids don't need to hear or see.. me as an adult likes the show! Lots of F bombs and verbal descriptions of heterosexual and homosexual situations.

Disappointing, but at least nice scenery

[robynrobynjonjon-84387 · 2/10 · 21 June 2022]

Lake beauty? Check.

Nostalgia if you grew up spending summers on a lake? Check.

Happy to see actors you have liked for years (Julia Stiles)? Check.

Good acting? Half-check. Some yes, some no.

Potentially funny premise? Check.

Ability to judge how this series will really be, as far as content and how far across boundaries it may go, watching trailer?

NOPE.

Finding it increasingly difficult to choose funny shows that are relevant, and yes, maybe a little edgy (I'm not a prude, though I do like wholesome shows...but, my point being I am alright with a few adult situations, language, etc to a degree)...

but good gravy, there is some extraneous innuendo and reference in this to the point of distraction. Were you trying to go for a gross-out comedy feeling disguised as funny situational humor?

Like one reviewer said, I might have expected this from Netflix, but...(which is why I now only subscribe to them a month at a time to watch a series that has been released, and then I cancel my subscription)...

I kept hanging with some of the ridiculousness for a few episodes, but just now I saw/heard a set of lines that made me say I'm out. Could have been a good run, but nope.

Fun and light show! Easy watch

[Matthew-WH · 8/10 · 19 June 2022]

I have really enjoyed every minute of this new series. It is a light and easy watch with many laugh out loud moments. The cast is fantastic and all do a great job of selling their characters. The series gives a Schitts Creek vibe with the community of the lake at talent shows and meetings. Genuinely a happy watch which is just what I needed. Hoping for a season 2!

FYI

[Zen-Balance · 6/10 · 24 June 2022]

Not G Rated show. The rating is more like tv-14 or MA. The language content is quite mature, small kids won't understand. The rating should be changed.

Why so Crude?

[shoppsi · 2/10 · 22 June 2022]

You know, I was so looking forward to a lighthearted summer show but this is so crude it's like an attention seeking 12 year old wrote the so called jokes/dialogue. I understand that I'm older but seriously, does EVERY new show have to be so crude? Why does everything for an adult audience have to equal obnoxious crudity?

Came for Jordan Gavaris stayed for the comfort

[fdaughte · 10/10 · 18 June 2022]

Cute relaxing and comforting just what I was looking for, I always enjoy Jordan Gavaris and wish he was in more . The setting for this one is quite lovely.

Conflicted feelings

[jahneen · 6/10 · 1 October 2022]

I really enjoyed this series. The campiness of the 70's era slasher flicks from my childhood. The relatability of going away for the summer and having a love hate relationship mixed in there somewhere. The way they addressed just about every new social norm in a laid back manner. I really enjoyed Opal and their older than they looked wisdom. BUT I definitely had some issues with how sounds like witchy Billie ended up being towards Justin. Her holding a grudge against him for that long made no sense. He showed up for her over and over and apologized. She seemed to be a witch for reason. Also, how aggressively sexual she became with Killian? Over the top and out of nowhere. She was too much. Made her character the one I liked the least for sure.

Loved it . . . for about 3.5 episodes

[feleciaeby · 2/10 · 12 July 2022]

It started out quirky, funny, and promising. I love the first few episodes. The setting is great and the characters were likable. Then it started sliding downhill at warp speed. I'm halfway through episode 7, "Trust Issues," and I'm done. I literally can't even finish it. It has become beyond ridiculous. I no longer find any of the characters at all relatable or likable. I only gave it 2 stars because of the few good episodes. Now I'd rather watch paint dry.

Great cast ...loved the banter and quick wit.

[lillianramirez · 6/10 · 3 August 2022]

This was a fun series I really enjoyed it. Yes there is some drugs ...some talk of threesomes, vibrators but I didn't feel it was done in a shocking way. All in all just people trying to connect and heal in a comedically acerbic way.

Fun, funny, and lighthearted!

[pmoreino7 · 8/10 · 19 June 2022]

This is a comfort food watch with an edge. I love that it's not shying away from adult themes and language, but is also very sweet. I also enjoy the diverse cast of characters, and the actors are very believable in their roles. I have LOL'd several times, and I also feel empathy for the characters, even Maisie. Granted, I am 3 episodes in, but I can feel I'm on binge with this one. Another reviewer mentioned Schitt's Creek; if you liked S1 of Schitt's Creek at the time it was released - before it was all the rage, I think you would love The Lake also.

Quite awful

[wendyficklin · 3/10 · 29 June 2022]

For whatever reason I associated Amazon with quality content. Not anymore. The premise had potential. Some of the characters are even likeable. But the majority of the episode is just shoving nonstop garbage down your throat. I agree with the review that stated this show is not G-rated. Can't believe this is where we have landed with entertainment.

Enjoyed

[cjandt · 9/10 · 19 June 2022]

I liked the diversity and quick wit. Easily relatable as far a sibs go and cottage country- hey mine is 40 min north of there. I really hope theres a season two. Great cast as well! Cheers.

Not entertaining

[mariajackson-11379 · 1/10 · 19 June 2022]

Social topics can be approached with humor or at the very least respectfully in order to convey a message, if that is what's trying to be achieved. This show failed at it miserably. It seems like every single social topic was touched on in such an awkward manner that I couldn't get thru the 1st episode. If I want to be upset by social topics, I'll just watch the news.

Light and laugh out loud funny

[andrea_page · 9/10 · 20 June 2022]

It's nice to finally have a light and yet ranchy drama to combat all the dramatic comedies flooding everywhere. But maybe don't watch with your kids hahahahha.

Didn't get 5min in and...

[samanthamaksim · 2/10 · 12 July 2022]

Can't take the birth father and daughter dynamic. Clearly the daughter is played by someone older and the father, someone too young in real life. In real life they're 7 years apart! Such poor acting and casting, not watching it any further.

Grown up summer cabin version of MTV's Awkward.

[kigaiyuuto · 10/10 · 18 June 2022]

A perfect summer show to be binged on a weekend. This is for adults though because there's swearing, sexual references and drug use. There's 2 storylines - the adult plot revolving around Justin and Maisie-May and the teen one with Billie and Killian although the second half of the show have episodic theme to it. Production value is high and everything looks pretty. Ulrika steals the show for me. And there's a surprise guest star on episode 4.

For some reason this show is ignored by MSM and so far only 3-4 youtubers bothered to review this with less than 100 views each. That's sad because THIS IS A GEM and there's not much comparison to this. I only know Awkward. From MTV that aired for 5 seasons in the 2010s. This show is what Amazon lacks, they have too many serious dramas but not enough comedy.

This is the kind of show that I can watch on a daily basis and wish summer never ends.

Creepy characters, crude and cringe worthy

[martynhd · 1/10 · 25 August 2022]

Lets Canada down badly. Probably made for US audience. Really poor taste with awful storyline.

Creepy characters, crude and cringe worthy At best 1 real Canadian actor.

Take me to The Lake!

[thebigpr-68139 · 10/10 · 20 June 2022]

I just binge watched this whole series and loved it!! The writing made me laugh so many times. I'm ready for season 2. I also really appreciated the diversity in the characters and the family dynamics that were shown. The themes explored made this series thought provoking and reflective. I even shed a tear at the end. Bravo to everyone who helped bring this series to life.

Why were these writers hired?

[donmega628 · 3/10 · 14 July 2022]

Watched the first 3 episodes hoping it would get better. It doesn't.

Nearly every scene and line of dialogue would NEVER happen in any version of the universe. EVER. Yet it's shot as believable real life.

I don't understand why shows like this are made. Unrealistic doesn't begin to describe it.

Not too bad

[sroseconsulting · 8/10 · 3 July 2022]

This actually ended up being a pretty good show! Much better than I thought after the 1st episode. From the other ratings I'm seeing, seem like it may just be the one season. That's too bad really. It has a nice family element with some realism thrown in. Definitely not your typical family comedy, but still, pretty cute and heartwarming. Give it a try past the first episode. You'll see what I'm saying.