Enjoyed the show but wasn't happy where it ended. If it wasn't renewing they should have tied it up in a pretty bow. That part was disappointing.
123 Reviews
Entertaining
Typersrus6 June 2020
Enjoyed
Rainman5392930 October 2020
I will definitely keep on watching
luane-hing12 October 2013
Frankly, I liked it a LOT! To enjoy this, you have to sit back and relax and not wait for something to criticize.
I think it has a lot of potential. There are funny scenes, action and suspense. An interesting spin on the Greek myths and I hope it continues.
The actors are quite good in my opinion. I was so excited for something to finally fill the gaping hole Merlin left and I feel this is the perfect solution.
I'm grateful for a series with a little culture and anyone who loves mythology in general will love this exciting new angle. I was not disappointed and can't wait for the next episode!
I think it has a lot of potential. There are funny scenes, action and suspense. An interesting spin on the Greek myths and I hope it continues.
The actors are quite good in my opinion. I was so excited for something to finally fill the gaping hole Merlin left and I feel this is the perfect solution.
I'm grateful for a series with a little culture and anyone who loves mythology in general will love this exciting new angle. I was not disappointed and can't wait for the next episode!
Excellent and entertaining just like the haters
jkanot12330 November 2013
The haters of this show are making me laugh.
-They mention bad acting and poor dialogue but do not elucidate further. -They mention bad plots but do not elucidate further. -They mention bad characters but do elucidate further.
Then we come to what is really the problem:
Blasphemy to Greek Mythology.
Seriously? This show isn't meant to be true to Greek Mythology and doesn't need to be. We've read and seen the stories of Greek Mythology a thousand times over so a retelling (basing all of the great events and heroes in Atlantis) feels fresh.
My favorite review comes from beef-638-121436 who starts logically looking at how fast people drew lots once, estimating that it should have taken one full week for 1,000 people to do so as opposed to the day it took in the episode. He uses this as a basis for some of his hatred against the show.
This is hilarious. Wake up people. This is a family-orientated show. Obviously it's not going to be bloody A Game of Thrones. The last family-orientated show attempting to be simultaneously exclusive to children and adults (Dr.Who) ending up become a massive contradiction full of plot holes which took itself too seriously when it didn't need to.
The people wanting an accurate retelling of the Atlantis story can watch BBC's 2011 "Atlantis: End of a World, Birth of a Legend" which really was bad asides from the special effects.
This at least is entertaining.
It's a BBC drama. Just like Dr.Who, it's mindless fun. People taking this seriously really need to ask themselves what's important because nitpicking over little details such as how fast 1,000 are able to draw stones is very petty.
Are BBC programs mainly watched by people with anal retentiveness nowadays or what?
-They mention bad acting and poor dialogue but do not elucidate further. -They mention bad plots but do not elucidate further. -They mention bad characters but do elucidate further.
Then we come to what is really the problem:
Blasphemy to Greek Mythology.
Seriously? This show isn't meant to be true to Greek Mythology and doesn't need to be. We've read and seen the stories of Greek Mythology a thousand times over so a retelling (basing all of the great events and heroes in Atlantis) feels fresh.
My favorite review comes from beef-638-121436 who starts logically looking at how fast people drew lots once, estimating that it should have taken one full week for 1,000 people to do so as opposed to the day it took in the episode. He uses this as a basis for some of his hatred against the show.
This is hilarious. Wake up people. This is a family-orientated show. Obviously it's not going to be bloody A Game of Thrones. The last family-orientated show attempting to be simultaneously exclusive to children and adults (Dr.Who) ending up become a massive contradiction full of plot holes which took itself too seriously when it didn't need to.
The people wanting an accurate retelling of the Atlantis story can watch BBC's 2011 "Atlantis: End of a World, Birth of a Legend" which really was bad asides from the special effects.
This at least is entertaining.
It's a BBC drama. Just like Dr.Who, it's mindless fun. People taking this seriously really need to ask themselves what's important because nitpicking over little details such as how fast 1,000 are able to draw stones is very petty.
Are BBC programs mainly watched by people with anal retentiveness nowadays or what?
Really Enjoy It!!
jaysalpatel29 December 2013
I have found Atlantis to be a very enjoyable piece of Saturday night entertainment. I am going under the impression that most of the hater reviews were written after the first episode. However i do not see it fit to base a show on just the begging, you wouldn't review a film after 1/12 the way through it. Yet, although the somewhat shaky start, i can fully say the show has massively improved in performance and storyline quality. After watching the full first series i can honestly say i was throughly impressed, it has nicely filled a gap left after the final season of Merlin. Finally, i hope it remains running and continues its good quality for many series to come.
Good light entertainment
elfinspace2327 December 2013
Firstly, Anyone who criticizes this series for bad dialogue, says it is a bad portrayal of Greek Mythology, or says the characters are bad and unrealistic. JUST ARE NOT GETTING IT.
This is really a fun parody of Greek Mythology, take Hercules (Mark Addy) who is an overweight womanising drunk who tells heroic stories of his deeds and they are all made up. Does this seriously sound like it should be taken seriously, I mean seriously (yes I used it three times) Mark Addy as Hercules.
Come on people enjoy the show for what it is and not what you expect it to be. To be honest I think the writers have really done a great job of making it such a light entertainment show, with touches of Mythology brought in for you to talk about.
I personally will be watching vividly and hoping the series runs for a few series. 9 out of 10 for taking me into a new world, and wonder what adventures Jason, Pythagoras and Hercules will get up to next.
This is really a fun parody of Greek Mythology, take Hercules (Mark Addy) who is an overweight womanising drunk who tells heroic stories of his deeds and they are all made up. Does this seriously sound like it should be taken seriously, I mean seriously (yes I used it three times) Mark Addy as Hercules.
Come on people enjoy the show for what it is and not what you expect it to be. To be honest I think the writers have really done a great job of making it such a light entertainment show, with touches of Mythology brought in for you to talk about.
I personally will be watching vividly and hoping the series runs for a few series. 9 out of 10 for taking me into a new world, and wonder what adventures Jason, Pythagoras and Hercules will get up to next.
Way better than I thought it would be.
Shopaholic351 March 2015
This show is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. Each episode is interesting and based on a different ancient Greek mythological legend. I don't really care if it's historically accurate because it's interesting and good entertainment. Besides it's nice to see a different take on each character. Who says Hercules couldn't be a fat lazy drunk. Sometimes a reputation can be born from one lucky moment but that doesn't mean that is who they truly were.
So give the show a chance if you enjoy fantasy shows with a historical edge. It may not be realistic but nobody really knows the truth for sure so maybe it could be true. It's also nice to see something that isn't so serious. I'm getting pretty bored with watching shows about terrorists and murderers. You can delve into a new world for an hour and forget about real world tragedies.
So give the show a chance if you enjoy fantasy shows with a historical edge. It may not be realistic but nobody really knows the truth for sure so maybe it could be true. It's also nice to see something that isn't so serious. I'm getting pretty bored with watching shows about terrorists and murderers. You can delve into a new world for an hour and forget about real world tragedies.
Stupid, but still fun
patrycja-miljevic10 January 2014
I decided to watch it because of Mark Addy, I didn't expect much, I suspected it would be as bad as "Robin Hood", and, well... Sometimes I come to think they spent all the funds for hiring him so they had nothing for special effects nor sets and locations.
The mythology in the show is only a loose base of names, sometimes some motives, but if you want to learn about the Greek mythology - then not from here. All the characters are just thrown into one place and time, sometimes they have something in common with the mythology, usually it's only a name. But hey, these are not historic facts, they are myths, so I guess they based an adventure fairytale on other fairy tales, right? Don't get uptight about it, it's not about truth anyway.
There's a lot of bad reviews here, I can see why, but most of these people haven't given the show a chance. The characters are actually not so idiotic as they seem, there's more to them than just the predictable stereotypes we get at the beginning, but they develop the way they are expected to develop, that's true. But in a world with movies like "Fast & Furious", "Twilight", countless crime series about good agents and bad terrorists, you really expect every medium budget production to be of great quality?
To sum it all up, it's definitely not anywhere near "Game of Thrones" and such, but it's not so annoyingly stupid as "Robin Hood". It's just average, mindless entertainment.
The mythology in the show is only a loose base of names, sometimes some motives, but if you want to learn about the Greek mythology - then not from here. All the characters are just thrown into one place and time, sometimes they have something in common with the mythology, usually it's only a name. But hey, these are not historic facts, they are myths, so I guess they based an adventure fairytale on other fairy tales, right? Don't get uptight about it, it's not about truth anyway.
There's a lot of bad reviews here, I can see why, but most of these people haven't given the show a chance. The characters are actually not so idiotic as they seem, there's more to them than just the predictable stereotypes we get at the beginning, but they develop the way they are expected to develop, that's true. But in a world with movies like "Fast & Furious", "Twilight", countless crime series about good agents and bad terrorists, you really expect every medium budget production to be of great quality?
To sum it all up, it's definitely not anywhere near "Game of Thrones" and such, but it's not so annoyingly stupid as "Robin Hood". It's just average, mindless entertainment.
A fun romp through not-really history
catjudo24 December 2013
I wasn't initially thrilled by the premiere of Atlantis. I thought the script was a bit pedantic, and the artistic license of mythical Greek history to be a bit, well, too broad. After watching it for a bit, I turned it off, disappointed and expecting it to fall off my radar.
BUT... it turns out I was wrong! I happened to catch a slightly later episode when there was nothing else on, and lo and behold, I actually liked it. I started to notice how well the actors played their parts, how well they worked together, and how much fun they seem to be having. I also enjoyed the little details of the sets, and how the costumes the actors wear are well thought-out.
I also found the stories to be clever and fulfilling. To be sure, this isn't on the same par as I, Claudius, but it is entertaining and definitely above the spate of reality show drivel that permeates the airwaves these days. The characters grow more likable with each episode, and the show as a whole keeps gaining momentum.
In short, Atlantis is a hit with me. It's likable characters and engaging stories have me hooked and waiting for more. It may not be the historical take that I was anticipating, but it is a lot of fun just the same.
BUT... it turns out I was wrong! I happened to catch a slightly later episode when there was nothing else on, and lo and behold, I actually liked it. I started to notice how well the actors played their parts, how well they worked together, and how much fun they seem to be having. I also enjoyed the little details of the sets, and how the costumes the actors wear are well thought-out.
I also found the stories to be clever and fulfilling. To be sure, this isn't on the same par as I, Claudius, but it is entertaining and definitely above the spate of reality show drivel that permeates the airwaves these days. The characters grow more likable with each episode, and the show as a whole keeps gaining momentum.
In short, Atlantis is a hit with me. It's likable characters and engaging stories have me hooked and waiting for more. It may not be the historical take that I was anticipating, but it is a lot of fun just the same.
unbelievable!
magnetiko729 September 2013
I wasn't the biggest fan of Merlin but I admit I liked the series. When Atlantis was announced to replace the time slot of Merlin, I expected something similarly likable. Oh, God I was never this wrong! Cheesy says it all about this abomination of mythology and fantasy but I want to say more. I've just watched the first episode and there was nothing, absolutely nothing worth my time. I'm not a British citizen but I pity for those who pay their taxes for TV series like these. Speak out! Stand up for your rights and dignity for God's sake!. Please do watch the premiere and see what I mean. Five out of ten is only for the not-so-cheesy CGI of the two-headed lizard and the minotaur (and for the upcoming episodes).
an abomination
dr_films5 October 2013
This should be a good TV show... A story about an ancient, mythical city should be fairly easy to make interesting, with plenty of scope for solid characterisations, sub-plots, adventures and twists.
Unfortunately Atlantis fails to deliver on all fronts. In fact it doesn't even turn up.
The first ten minutes of the show rushes through what should normally take an entire episode - the result is that the viewer is left with the impression the scriptwriters do not actually want to tell the story or that they are too lazy to engage the viewer in any understanding the protagonist's character.
The dialogue is predictable and intellectually suited only to children. To anyone more mature it is an insult that the writers thought such banality would engage them. Clichéd and unimaginative.
The acting is distinctly average but then again the cast doesn't have much to work with. When the script is amateur the acting can only follow suit.
Mythology is unashamedly violated with heavyweight Greek characters coming out of the woodwork and wasted with stupid, stereotypical idiosyncrasies which dumb down these hero's actual contributions to history or culture. We've got a gambling, drunk Hercules and a triangle obsessed Pythagoras. Wow, good work guys! Just look at these goons and tell me you can take them seriously - http://static.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AtlantisFeat.jpg
You can forget everything the books told you about Greek mythology because this show doesn't give a flying ****. It seems Homer, Plutarch and Pausanias' versions were simply not good enough for the writers.
If you are looking for the next "Game of Thrones", "The Borgias" or "Spartacus", you are in for a shocking disappointment. There is plenty of good TV out there - don't waste your time with this festering pile of nonsense unless you have 1 hour to kill and learn how NOT to do a TV series.
Unfortunately Atlantis fails to deliver on all fronts. In fact it doesn't even turn up.
The first ten minutes of the show rushes through what should normally take an entire episode - the result is that the viewer is left with the impression the scriptwriters do not actually want to tell the story or that they are too lazy to engage the viewer in any understanding the protagonist's character.
The dialogue is predictable and intellectually suited only to children. To anyone more mature it is an insult that the writers thought such banality would engage them. Clichéd and unimaginative.
The acting is distinctly average but then again the cast doesn't have much to work with. When the script is amateur the acting can only follow suit.
Mythology is unashamedly violated with heavyweight Greek characters coming out of the woodwork and wasted with stupid, stereotypical idiosyncrasies which dumb down these hero's actual contributions to history or culture. We've got a gambling, drunk Hercules and a triangle obsessed Pythagoras. Wow, good work guys! Just look at these goons and tell me you can take them seriously - http://static.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AtlantisFeat.jpg
You can forget everything the books told you about Greek mythology because this show doesn't give a flying ****. It seems Homer, Plutarch and Pausanias' versions were simply not good enough for the writers.
If you are looking for the next "Game of Thrones", "The Borgias" or "Spartacus", you are in for a shocking disappointment. There is plenty of good TV out there - don't waste your time with this festering pile of nonsense unless you have 1 hour to kill and learn how NOT to do a TV series.
NEED SEASON 3
nlaporte-399-74541110 January 2019
I binged watch this amazing show. The first episode was very entertaining, I ended up watching the whole season with two days. I'm at work and watching this show. I slept late just to finish watching it. when I'm almost done with season 2 I found out the show Was cancelled. NOT COOL. They need to put season 3. I enjoyed watching it, it has humor, plenty of action. Love watching their relationship. It was very entertaining. Where do I petition for this show to return. Netflix need to take this show so I can keep watching it. Not liking BBC network for cancelling my show.
Entertaining....so why cancel the show?
s327616920 May 2015
There are an awful lot of awful sword and sorcery series that keep on reappearing season after anguished season. Merlin springs to mind. Meanwhile other genuinely entertaining shows like Atlantis get cancelled. Why?
Atlantis is not sophisticated viewing but its got enough going for it to be a genuinely entertaining romp. There's plenty of action, some good plot twists and turns and well designed sets and costumes.
The acting in this series is surprisingly good too. There is some genuine UK talent on show and its evident in the general quality of the performances offered up by the cast.
This is not the first time UK TV execs have made a poor decision regarding shows. The Fades was a wonderful series that was canned in spite of good ratings and an entertaining premise. For myself I'm rather tired of disappointment and won't be watching too much more out of the UK until its at least into its third season.
My rating for this show seven out of ten.
Atlantis is not sophisticated viewing but its got enough going for it to be a genuinely entertaining romp. There's plenty of action, some good plot twists and turns and well designed sets and costumes.
The acting in this series is surprisingly good too. There is some genuine UK talent on show and its evident in the general quality of the performances offered up by the cast.
This is not the first time UK TV execs have made a poor decision regarding shows. The Fades was a wonderful series that was canned in spite of good ratings and an entertaining premise. For myself I'm rather tired of disappointment and won't be watching too much more out of the UK until its at least into its third season.
My rating for this show seven out of ten.
Could be a kids' show is not for the historical and mythological references
Zubacz29 September 2013
Despite the unfavorable reviews I watched the pilot to the end. The script was terrible, for a prime time show. The amount of plot holes, senseless developments and ridiculous characters was way too much for any adult to accept. It could be a children's show since it did have a pleasant adventure feeling to it and the costumes were decently done. It's a shame though, that they put in so many names famous either from history or mythology. Evil god Poseidon, fat Hercules, wimpy Pythagoras all in a city called Atlantis? It seems wrong to see these characters in this setting; seeing history and mythology butchered this way, is destructive for kids in my opinion and downright insulting for adults.
Terrible
englishbobcooke29 September 2013
I'll waste as little words as is takes to give my review. I have read others posted, one actually says give the programme 15 minutes before you judge it.....unfortunately I did. Both myself and my wife reached for the remote just after 15 minutes, no spoiler here, but when the scene where Pythagorus giving a camp wave of hands with "reeeaaally" spoken like an eleven year old girl drifted in, enough was enough. Sorry. I need to have ten lines of text for my review. I should engage one of the script writers. Are there any 8 year old literary students awake at this time. You could do a better job, believe me!!! Atlantis should be re-edited for CBBees. I have know wasted more time than I thought and there is a good possibility that this very honest opinion may never be published.
Completely insane. Loved it.
Omikron66620 October 2013
I absolutely love this show but only because it is hilarious in its stupidity. What more can I say? There is no quality to it. Overacted, poorly written and don't get me started on special effects. But I guess it could be the foundation for a very great drinking game... for example "Drink if some random mythological character shows up" Even more funny: They actually have places in the area that do exist in our world. WHY? I thought the whole point was Atlantis being lost to our world or something. But after a few rants... I just jumped into the stupidity and enjoyed. Just make sure to be a smart-ass if you watch this with children and tell them the actual myths it rips off. Well - at least it makes us all remember them ;)
I'm Enjoying It Very Much
dustie-18 December 2013
Anything that makes me laugh and "takes me away" for the 45 minute's it's playing rates a 9 in my book. I hope it stays on the air for many seasons! OK, so the acting is a bit hammy here and there, but that's what the script calls for. It's not a TV drama for heaven's sake. I like that the Actors ham it up a bit (does anyone other then me think the pairing of Mark Addy and Robert Emms came from the mind of a Laural and Hardy fan?) I think Jack Donnelly is very believable in the role as over the top good guy Jason (and very pleasing on the eyes). It's also good to see my old friend from Deep Space Nine, Alexander Siddig. Amazing how he's got to be 20 years distant from his role as the handsome doctor Bashier and yet, except for a bit of gray and the beard, he doesn't look any older. Wish I could say the same...
As for the plot of the show, I can hear my mom now, although, as the oracle would put it, she walks with the dead. She used to teach high school English and had an advanced class on Greek and Roman Mythology... she'd be loving this show, even as she would be picking it apart.
Modern man enters another realm by going through some sort of under the ocean portal and ends up in the legendary city of Atlantis. Freaky! And yet, once you get into the show, you find yourself believing that's exactly where you are and hoping that somehow Jason will be able to change their destiny and they won't end up all dead at the bottom of the sea someday. Well, at least I do, even though my mom would be laughing at me for thinking so about a TV show, for heaven's sakes.
God be with you mom! It's nice to be thinking about you while watching this fun new series.
BTW... set your DVR to tape all episodes and hopefully you'll be able to catch the first episode on rerun.. My DVR had the number's all messed up, but I did get 1, 2, and 3 and although I watched episode 2 first (as it was labeled 1) I went back and caught 1 and then watched 3 and enjoyed them all!
As for the plot of the show, I can hear my mom now, although, as the oracle would put it, she walks with the dead. She used to teach high school English and had an advanced class on Greek and Roman Mythology... she'd be loving this show, even as she would be picking it apart.
Modern man enters another realm by going through some sort of under the ocean portal and ends up in the legendary city of Atlantis. Freaky! And yet, once you get into the show, you find yourself believing that's exactly where you are and hoping that somehow Jason will be able to change their destiny and they won't end up all dead at the bottom of the sea someday. Well, at least I do, even though my mom would be laughing at me for thinking so about a TV show, for heaven's sakes.
God be with you mom! It's nice to be thinking about you while watching this fun new series.
BTW... set your DVR to tape all episodes and hopefully you'll be able to catch the first episode on rerun.. My DVR had the number's all messed up, but I did get 1, 2, and 3 and although I watched episode 2 first (as it was labeled 1) I went back and caught 1 and then watched 3 and enjoyed them all!
Atlantis
jboothmillard14 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
In the past the BBC made many cheesy or lame looking fantasy and adventure themed shows based on legendary characters and stories, like Merlin and Robin Hood, this was one of the first I was willing to give a real chance, and I'm actually glad I did. Basically in the present day Jason (Jack Donnelly) went out to sea searching for his missing father, and entering a strange part of the waters he went through some portal, and he wakes up washed up on the shore of the ancient and legendary lost city of Atlantis, but he comes to accept life in his home. His friends who he stays with are Hercules (Mark Addy), who is not physically and socially like what the legends suggest, and Pythagoras (Robert Emms), the historically famous mathematician and philosopher, his love interest who may have a duty to the gods and her people and out of his reach is the princess Ariadne (Aiysha Hart), daughter of King Minos (Alexander Siddig), and his most common enemy, and to the people, is the queen Pasiphaë (Sarah Parish). Throughout the series Jason is told by The Oracle (Juliet Stevenson) that he was brought to Atlantis for a reason, and that he is the chosen one, and slowly we found out more reasons why that is the case, as other Greek legends that he knows from history and mythology come to life, and he proves himself a hero with great skills in fighting, strategy and physical endurance. The Greek legends that have appeared include the Minotaur, Circe the Witch (Lucy Cohu), Medusa (Jemima Rooper) who Hercules loves who is cursed with the snake hair and the stare that turns people to stone, Pandora's box, the living and fighting skeleton warriors (like Jason and the Argonauts) and much more, including of course the mention of the various Greek gods, such as Poseidon, Hades, Dionysus and some others. The stories that come about each episode are not just an introduction to the other popularised Greek legends and myths, besides the action and fights that occur they are also full of moral dilemmas for the characters both together and individually, on occasion they must follow fate and make the right choices, and of course fulfilling destiny is the most common storyline. Also starring Oliver Walker as Heptarian, Joe Dixon as Ramos, Hannah Arterton as Korinna, Ken Bones as Melas, Lou Broadbent as Ione, Anton Lesser as Kyros, Julian Glover as Eunapius, Robert Lindsay as Daedalus, Donald Sumpter as Tiresius and John Hannah as Tychon, Jason's father. Donnelly cuts it just about as the good looking and willing hero, Emms is a likable intelligent sidekick, Hart is nice looking as the heroine, Parish is fantastic as the cold-hearted and power hungry villain, and Stephenson is a good mysterious knowledgeable character, but my favourite is definitely Addy as the alternative Hercules, an overweight, lazy, boozing and greedy slob, but all in all highly lovable and reliable friend. I was expecting this show to be cheesy and lame, like the ones that have become before, and to be honest I did stop watching after the third episode because I wasn't sure, but when I picked it back up again I actually found it great fun, simple entertainment with the right amount of humour, action, special effects and plots to keep you watching, an enjoyable fantasy adventure drama. Very good!
Queer and idiotic trip through twisted details of mythology
beef-638-12143629 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Out of curiosity I watched the first episode of this new fantasy series. Well, fantasy it is - just not very good fantasy. Firstly we see Jason survive an imploding bathyscaphe at great depth, and wake up on a beach. Then we get to watch his naked torso for about 19 seconds flat, with nothing else in view at all. I guess it must be to bait and hook teenager girls. Oh, is that what it's about? Fortunately there's a set of new, perfectly fitting clothing right next to him, so he gets dressed. Next he walks into a city (where of course all speak modern-day English) and gets attacked by a two-headed dragon (for trying to touch it) and right after, by guards. Luckily he escapes and meets Pythagoras, who is apparently in some way related to Hercules, coming in next bossing Pythagoras around.
This, to me, looks like a bad dream of a confused scriptwriter on acid. Patiently I wait for the moment, where all of this idiocy gets to make some sense.
And yes, as soon as the next scene develops, it all falls into place. Many worlds, great forces, the oracle who is probably his mother, and the hint that Jason is the son of a very important man, or perhaps-a god.
From here, I can dream up the rest of the story. Jason probably gets challenged a lot, meets the love of his life (which is bound to be a problematic relationship), battles the Minotaur and many other foes of ancient mythology.
The city has 20000 inhabitants. They are all summoned to the palace square, where they are addressed by king Minos, to draw a stone. However, there are at most 1000 persons in the square, and many of them seem to have copies all over the square. Then they line up to each take a stone. It is not very speedy, on average everybody takes 12 seconds. By this rate, it all will be over in... 20.000x12/3600= 67 hours. All attended by the king, so that would have to be stretched over 8-hour days, adding up to a full week of selecting 7 people. If I were that king, I would have thought of a somewhat shorter and less boring method to select 7 out of 20000. But hey, when the day is done all 20000 have magically passed.
This little insult to my intelligence is just one of many. Now, I really don't expect a series like this to be historically of mythologically correct, or scientifically accurate, but hell - the scriptwriters should know how to do basic math and not try to defy common sense. I'm feeling so much vicarious shame for them, it's almost unbearable.
Pythagoras gets selected, and spends a last supper with his best friends Hercules and Jason (who he has just met, so yesterday Hercules was his only friend) and for the second time Pythagoras gets stereotyped for being obsessed with triangles. Shame!
Ah, the princess doubts her father - clearly SHE will get to be the love interest of Jason.
More goofs: Jason draws a sword, and inspects it. It is clearly visible the sword has no sharp edges, just a sharp point. Still, it will do and he takes it to fight a monster. What's he gonna do, puncture the beast? All clothes and garments look unused, brand new. Nothing is dirty or worn. BBC and Urban Myth Films, why don't you go take a lesson from the original Star Wars movies.
But most of all, it is so wrong to have Greek mythology take place in Atlantis, first of all because Atlantis is not even a myth, it is mentioned in ONE old story which got propagated in modern times. This series feed our youth with twisted and confused stories that pretend to be the real myths. I can't help feeling a bit sick of this. I feel sad for how mythology gets violated and replaced by this crap.
Sadly, the series is bound to get popular.
This, to me, looks like a bad dream of a confused scriptwriter on acid. Patiently I wait for the moment, where all of this idiocy gets to make some sense.
And yes, as soon as the next scene develops, it all falls into place. Many worlds, great forces, the oracle who is probably his mother, and the hint that Jason is the son of a very important man, or perhaps-a god.
From here, I can dream up the rest of the story. Jason probably gets challenged a lot, meets the love of his life (which is bound to be a problematic relationship), battles the Minotaur and many other foes of ancient mythology.
The city has 20000 inhabitants. They are all summoned to the palace square, where they are addressed by king Minos, to draw a stone. However, there are at most 1000 persons in the square, and many of them seem to have copies all over the square. Then they line up to each take a stone. It is not very speedy, on average everybody takes 12 seconds. By this rate, it all will be over in... 20.000x12/3600= 67 hours. All attended by the king, so that would have to be stretched over 8-hour days, adding up to a full week of selecting 7 people. If I were that king, I would have thought of a somewhat shorter and less boring method to select 7 out of 20000. But hey, when the day is done all 20000 have magically passed.
This little insult to my intelligence is just one of many. Now, I really don't expect a series like this to be historically of mythologically correct, or scientifically accurate, but hell - the scriptwriters should know how to do basic math and not try to defy common sense. I'm feeling so much vicarious shame for them, it's almost unbearable.
Pythagoras gets selected, and spends a last supper with his best friends Hercules and Jason (who he has just met, so yesterday Hercules was his only friend) and for the second time Pythagoras gets stereotyped for being obsessed with triangles. Shame!
Ah, the princess doubts her father - clearly SHE will get to be the love interest of Jason.
More goofs: Jason draws a sword, and inspects it. It is clearly visible the sword has no sharp edges, just a sharp point. Still, it will do and he takes it to fight a monster. What's he gonna do, puncture the beast? All clothes and garments look unused, brand new. Nothing is dirty or worn. BBC and Urban Myth Films, why don't you go take a lesson from the original Star Wars movies.
But most of all, it is so wrong to have Greek mythology take place in Atlantis, first of all because Atlantis is not even a myth, it is mentioned in ONE old story which got propagated in modern times. This series feed our youth with twisted and confused stories that pretend to be the real myths. I can't help feeling a bit sick of this. I feel sad for how mythology gets violated and replaced by this crap.
Sadly, the series is bound to get popular.
Good, old fashioned fantasy adventure.
munchiehk28 September 2013
I watched this with some trepidation, as the show it is essentially replacing, Merlin, was a little silly for my tastes and the acting skills of several of the cast were not impressive, in my view. I am always delighted for my preconceptions to be proved inaccurate and in this instance, it has proved to be the case (touch wood). The show begins weakly, with minimal background on the lead character and we are thrown in (literally) at the deep end. Having watched the whole episode, I can understand now why this is so. Obviously, the mysteries of Jason's origins are destined to be revealed over the course of the series. The sets are gorgeous, especially the scenes filmed in Morocco. The acting is almost uniformly first rate, with Mark Addy (The Full Monty) and Robert Emms in particular standing out. The excellent Alexander Siddig (Deep Space Nine, Syriana) also appears, but his role in the first episode is small. I am sure that will change in future episodes. He is too good to waste on a minor part. This is good, old fashioned swords and monsters escapism done very well. Anyone looking for deeper meanings or historical accuracy will be sorely aggrieved, but that is very far from the point. This show could be everything that Merlin promised, but ultimately failed to deliver. If the rest of the series is anywhere as much fun, I will be watching Atlantis for a long time to come. Take a look and give it 15 minutes before you give up on it. It really picks up in a big way. Well done, BBC!
This is basically just merlin 2.0 but that's ok
leilaoburcham21 August 2021
If you're looking for character development, storylines that make sense, a show with no plot holes or a show with an ending, you won't find it in BBC's Atlantis. What you will find however, are loveable characters, funny dialogues and a himbo, a drunkard and a mathematician (or a cannon gay relationship too), you might enjoy Atlantis.
If the characters hadn't been so easy to get attached to, I barely would have made it through the first episode. There are storylines that start to be explored and show huge promise, but they are then quite literally never mentioned again. It would have been great to see jason's journey having to adapt to falling into Atlantis further than the slight confusion in the first episode. It was a shame that there was no formal ending either, We got to see all of the previews for the next season but then that final season never came. Despite all of this series' imperfections, I did love it, and I would reccomend it to anyone wanting to watch a show with Merlin-Arthur adjacent banter.
If the characters hadn't been so easy to get attached to, I barely would have made it through the first episode. There are storylines that start to be explored and show huge promise, but they are then quite literally never mentioned again. It would have been great to see jason's journey having to adapt to falling into Atlantis further than the slight confusion in the first episode. It was a shame that there was no formal ending either, We got to see all of the previews for the next season but then that final season never came. Despite all of this series' imperfections, I did love it, and I would reccomend it to anyone wanting to watch a show with Merlin-Arthur adjacent banter.
Awful
filmtvwatcher1 October 2013
I actually created an account as I felt I had to review this piece of tripe. I wrote quite a long review, detailing how rubbish this show is in every respect:
-Illogical story.
-Groan-worthy dialogue.
-Appalling acting.(Dis)honourable mention going to the insipid "hero".
-Pathetic fighting that's been sanitised and made bloodless so the kiddies won't be scared.
-Complete lack of drama/tension. Again, gotta keep those kids safe from anything that could be scary or... good.
-None of the swearing or nudity we'd have seen in that era. Yet again, that could traumatise the poor kids or turn them into serial killers. We can't have that. Noooo.
But you know what? I deleted that long review as I realised this show doesn't deserve so many words. 1 word sums up Atlantis perfectly: crap.
-Illogical story.
-Groan-worthy dialogue.
-Appalling acting.(Dis)honourable mention going to the insipid "hero".
-Pathetic fighting that's been sanitised and made bloodless so the kiddies won't be scared.
-Complete lack of drama/tension. Again, gotta keep those kids safe from anything that could be scary or... good.
-None of the swearing or nudity we'd have seen in that era. Yet again, that could traumatise the poor kids or turn them into serial killers. We can't have that. Noooo.
But you know what? I deleted that long review as I realised this show doesn't deserve so many words. 1 word sums up Atlantis perfectly: crap.
Gets better, should not have been cancelled
thesuthernman24 February 2021
The first few episodes threw me off. After watching through season one, not only is it ambitious, it is well written and we'll acted. Addy is the perfect Hercules for so many reasons--someone was genius with that casting. The actress who plays the evil queen is an amazing talent. A fun show with heart, drama, and wit.
Season 1 held my interest, season 2 not so much
louispeter-2305713 July 2021
Season 2 is a bit disappointing. Always finding themselves in dark caves which translates into dark screen viewing. Enough already, really tiresome.
No wonder this was cancelled.
But have gotten this far so will continue to watch. I like all the characters; it's a bit of fun.
No wonder this was cancelled.
But have gotten this far so will continue to watch. I like all the characters; it's a bit of fun.
What????? (Possible Spoilers)
alexpts29 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Jason, Pythagoras, Hercules a drunk and a gambler, the Minotaur, King Minos all of them in Atlantis just the first minutes of the first episode, who else will follow? As an Oracle myself I can see Leonidas, Theseus, Alexander the Great, Nebuchadnezzar and Julius Ceasar joining the fold, everybody sunbathing in Mykonos... Where do they get all these things??? Why can't they write a script without messing everything, why isn't there anybody that can make fiction thing with just simply fictional characters without dragging bits and bobs of history and mythology. It looks like it will be even worse than the Hercules series, the one with Kevin Sorbo. I remember watching an episode there with a guy named Parenthesis... Maybe this one has one named Colon...
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