Ray Donovan (2013–2020) User Reviews

The Ray Donovan Drinking Game...

[TakeUpReel · 9/10 · 14 July 2020]

Take a shot if a character says:

• What?
• Sure
• It doesn't matter
• Get in the car

If you really want to raise the stakes, take a half shot every time a character says:

• F. you
• Go F. yourself

You may want to have medical professionals standing by for the last two.

This show started off great. It got boring during the middle seasons, but season 6 was very good. I have mixed emotions about season 7. They provided a lot of interesting back story for a few characters, but they left a lot of loose threads at the end.

The whole series showed way too much of Ray's daughter. She got somewhat interesting in Season 6, but then I, once again, lost interest in her during season 7.

I'm glad Ray's son wasn't shown much during the last few seasons. He was an annoying character from the beginning.

Overall, it's a good show if you can stick with the boring bits.

Ray never eats.

[jhill-33 · 8/10 · 10 April 2019]

I have watched every episode and find it funny since season 1 Ray basically spends his day with a coffee at home then to the gym for a whisky,then to the office for a whisky,then to various potential clients for a whisky.Then comes home at night and has a whisky and nurses various wounds he got throughout his day and then wakes up and repeats again the next day. So in summation tough guys can get stabbed,beat up,and shot and they can just go home and take off the bloody clothes and have drinks and be recovered by morning all on an empty stomach.Too funny.

Looks like another hit Original from Showtime

[lulzpharcyde · 9/10 · 1 July 2013]

I had to review this show after seeing the current reviews posted. At the moment there are 4 written reviews and all but one are HIGHLY critical and undeserved in my opinion.

The casting is brilliant. Acting is right on. Writing is great. Direction is fantastic. Cinematography is top notch. Am I watching a different show?

I could go on with praises of all the elements of Ray Donovan, but it would just be repetitive and monotonous, and I would run out of synonyms.

I truly think Showtime has it's next hit to fill in the gap left by Dexter next season.

I don't want to go into arcs, plot, etc. and spoil anything. I just wanted to make sure there was another positive review posted, so even more people give Ray Donovan a chance. Believe me, if you have liked Showtime's other amazing Originals, you'll love it as much as I do.

Excellent!!

[Supermanfan-13 · 10/10 · 14 July 2022]

Ray Donovan is a flat out awesome tv show! It really is an incredible show, especially the earlier seasons! The last two seasons aren't quite as good but still worth watching. Liev Schreiber is perfect as Ray Donovan and leads an amazing all around cast that are all at the top of their game here. I absolutely recommend this show to anyone who loves a good drama with plenty of action!

Flat Out Awesome Show!

[Rob1331 · 10/10 · 29 September 2022]

Ray Donovan is about a fixer (Liev Schreiber) for Hollywood elites like celebrities, athletes, business moguls, etc. It's dark, gritty and just an overall fun show. The acting is so good here, the entire cast really makes you invested in their characters and care what happens to them. I've loved Ray Donovan from the very first episode of season 1 until the end. But like most here have already said, the last few seasons and the movie are not as good but still not bad. The only bad part of the show are his kids, especially Bridget. They just come off as spoiled and entitled and don't appreciate anything their dad does for them. Not too much to say other than this show was fantastic, if you don't believe me just read through the reviews. Most people who've seen it love it!

Sláinte

[dnau-42126 · 10/10 · 26 July 2019]

So I was bored last week and needed a show to watch. I decided to skim through Showtime and decided on giving Ray Donovan a try. Well here I am four days later and I'm on episode 10 of season 6. Wowzer does this show blow me away. I love the grittiness, the laughs, the emotional value and the edge of your seat action that I get from this show. I read alot of the reviews on here and kept hearing about how season 5 was a disappointment. Well I couldn't agree less. Every season has been amazing. I'm actually dreading that I'm coming up to the end. Happy to read that they have already started production of season 7. This show is a win in my book. Highly recommend. And it doesn't hurt that I am a Boston girl, born and raised. Love shows that make me feel at home.

Best family drama since The Sopranos?

[cybercipher · 9/10 · 7 July 2013]

I watched the first episode of Ray Donovan without knowing much about the plot or characters. Liev Schrieber is fantastic in the lead role and is reminiscent of Tony Soprano in that he is a dark, violent lead male under constant stress who is protective and nurturing of those he loves, while at the same time projecting an aura of violence and danger to those who would cross him. One scene, where Ray menaces a man who double-crosses him is particularly chilling. The supporting characters are also very solid. Paula Malcomson, (Ray's wife Abby) under-utilized in Deadwood is here allowed to flex her acting muscles in several scenes with Schreiber. Also in the show is the great Jon Voigt, who plays Ray's father. The conflict between them is set up right away in this first episode and one senses an Oedipal confrontation coming somewhere down the line. Most series start out weak and get better as the show grows and develops. This show, however, started out with a bang. If it gets BETTER it will very soon be the best show on television.

THIS IS BULLS**T

[Jennifer138 · 10/10 · 8 February 2020]

I have been a captivated by the Donovans since it began and to be honest I am at loss for words at the erratic cancelation!!!! I have appreciated everything about this show and it at least deserved a proper ending!

Incredible

[carriecy109 · 10/10 · 16 July 2013]

In watching Ray Donovan, the characters have such a believable existence that you can't help but wonder about the things the rich and famous we read about daily really do. I will not be able to read about a scandal without wondering if a "cleaner" was involved. This show is a true testament to those creators and writers who have brought about something so new and fresh that all other current series seem to pale in comparison. At times, the laugh out loud tastelessness of things being said just leaves me wanting more. Even if feeling slightly guilty for laughing. I am hoping this show stays raw and powerful and witty and that we will get many more seasons of the same.

How to ruin a perfectly good show

[odeschry-895-805548 · 6/10 · 18 November 2019]

Seasons 1-2 are pretty fun dark thrillers. The formula gets a bit more of day time drama like BS in season 3-4 but remains pretty entertaining. By Season 5 it lost all of the original fun - only way to watch it is to fast forward all the melodramatic flashbacks - you can watch the season in 2-3 hours doing so and you will not loose a single thing of value from this season. Season 6 tries to track back to original ideas but I found Season 5 to be so insulting to the basic intelligence of viewers that I simply couldn't get in to it anymore.

This trend the studios have to kill the formula that made a show popular with cheap drama is really getting to be obnoxious.

Brilliant! Just brilliant

[mrskv78 · 10/10 · 12 July 2013]

I heard about this show from friends who were discussing new shows. They were raving about it and how good it is. Also going on about Liev Schreiber and how good he is in it. Decided to check it out myself and I was not disappointed. Good solid story lines. Great cast. Its about time that a show of this quality is shown. Just hope whoever does the marketing this show does a better job as I have never even seen a commercial or ad for this show. I hope it doesn't get cancelled because no one knows of its existence. So many good shows get cancelled that way and then we get stuck with another trashy reality TV show. I also like that there isn't just one story line. There are many story lines going on. Jon Voight is also a great actor and I was happy to see him in a good TV show.

What happened??

[jpcjcpd · 2/10 · 29 October 2018]

Was an 8/9. Now? Not so much......

Season 1 to season 3 were great. Then, midway through season four the show went off the rails.

I couldn't even make it through the entire season five before I stopped watching. All the flashbacks and weepy moments that have nothing to do with the story were incredibly off putting.

It's a shame. Please fire whoever ruined this once great show.

"Ray Donovan" is a winner

[851222 · 10/10 · 12 July 2013]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Ray Donovan" is definitely the best drama of this year. The show is so rich in characters, and subplots that it's a joy to watch every scene. This is the most interesting family drama since "Sopranos". Yes, it's that good. It touches themes that you won't see in regular shows, and it approaches them in gritty yet very realistic and human way. I think "Ray Donovan" will definitely win some big awards, and will gain a cult status pretty soon.

Overall, if you are tired from all standard shows, and want to watch something true to life, "Ray Donovan" is not to be missed.

Deserves more Emmy awards!

[CarmaChan · 10/10 · 27 January 2015]

The previews and billboards of this Showtime series did nothing to intrigue or attract me as a viewer. I watched the pilot merely because there was nothing else to watch and I was slightly curious, and because I really like Liev as an actor, and Jon Voight is always great. I got hooked because of the underlying forces at work that shape the personalities of Ray and his brothers. It was a total shocker and gripping, believable surprise.

I really wanted this show to win more awards. It is the only show I'm aware of that has tackled one of the most difficult social issues of our time. It is so well written one must wonder if the writers are close to people who are wrestling with these issues.

This is a must-see series and it really deserves more recognition, not only for the excellent writing, but the casting and acting and directing. Ray Donovan is Showtime's best new drama!

What's not to like?

[godkingmedia · 9/10 · 12 August 2013]

Incredibly unique show, the writing is phenomenal and the acting is a great compliment to it...The show has a style and vibe that I really can't compare to anything and it's dark humor is top notch...Almost every scene is entertaining because the characters are so great and I really enjoy how portions of the background story are unveiled week by week...If there's one negative I can imagine someone saying about the show is that it's a bit of a slow starter...I don't even think this show has hit third gear yet and I'm already hooked...Just hope they don't smother all the greatness out of it like they did to Dexter..but that's another review

SAD IT HAD TO END...

[MadamWarden · 9/10 · 7 June 2022]

My brother convinced me to subscribe to Paramount to watch this series, which I obviously did and binge watched over the past few weeks. That is a looot of watching. I can honestly say that my interest never flagged.

The delightful cameos by the many guest stars helped but the performances of Schreiber and Voight were superlative. Reaffirmed their talent as A-list performers.

Voight is an inspiration!! His effervescent energy at 80+ years is truly unbelievable. Wow!!!

Series 5 was a disaster. Glad to be rid of Abby, but what an interminably boring way to be rid of her. An entire series. Much fast forwarding required. Honestly her and the daughter Brigitte were the only downside to the series. Annoying to the core. Other female characters were great, and Sandy in the final few series was sensational. One of the best characters ever. In any series!

I highly recommend this series. Captivatingly brilliant!!

Excellent

[the_dude_abides_ · 9/10 · 16 March 2022]

I just want to say that Abby Donovan is the most annoying character on the face of the earth. Also, Mickey Donovan is hilarious and Jon Voight is a legend. Watch this show, it's fantastic.

Judging it now after 4 episodes

[Phil_bowers1975 · 10/10 · 31 July 2013]

I'm not sure how so many people could write a review after 1 episode of this drama. i must admit it was a very good episode but judging it after one episode is like looking at a race horse before you've seen it run.

now after 4 episodes, i think i'm able to call this series very very good. it hasn't spilt all the story up to quickly, and you are still seeing layers to characters, especially John Voights.

yes there a few clichés, and you could even describe this series as a little "sopranos like" (man in complete control of professional life as a semi gangster, when his personal life is out of his control) but it is original enough to keep me interested.

All the actors are top notch, the plot lines are gripping and i cannot wait for more Ray Donovan to be made and shown.

Great writing, great acting, immersive, engaging

[PaxD75 · 8/10 · 1 February 2021]

This is a solid drama - with the lead character helping upper crusty (mostly) Hollywood types safeguard their positions in society. In addition to the basic premise, the lives (and issues) of the Donovan family are explored.

Ray Donovan drives a good portion of this drama - but as a strong silent type - it is the lives of his family, associates and clients that keep the viewers fully engaged. Jon Voight delivers a remarkable performance as the troublesome father - and I think it is his role that helps elevate this series past a 6-7 rating. He really spices things up.

The lives of his brothers (Bunchy, Terry and Daryll) - while not compelling in themselves; add a real-life substance to the series - helping make this a serious drama.

I think the series suffers when we delve into Ray's immediate family - his wife (Abby) and his children (Bridget and Conor). You might have a different take on their roles but I personally found them uninteresting and often irritating.

Abby doesn't seem to have a real role - she's not quite a mother, not a knowing/wise wife - but instead comes across as a needy teenager. Her scenes are passable and still somewhat watchable because of Paula Malcomson's impressive acting ability.

Conor, the son, completely forgettable. His life doesn't engage nor does it irritate - it's simply meh - filler material.

Bridget, on the other hand, plays the typical (Hollywood) epically annoying teenage girl. You will want to fast forward anytime she appears at 100x speed but... you'll miss out on characters like Marvin and Cookie. So you have to put up with her (it won't be easy). Since the rest of the series is so strong, Bridget is unable to single-handedly destroy the series (which Hollywood-written teenage girls often do).

I am reviewing this after watching 3 seasons. I'm tempted to rate this a 6 because I dislike the epically irritating Bridget character so much. But there is so much more going on, so many other great characters, so many outstanding performances (from strong emotions to nuances) that this series is easily an 8 - despite the annoying teenager.

May update review later (since I plan on watching all 7 years). It's been bingeable good!

Good for the first 4 seasons.

[theanomaloushost · 7/10 · 5 June 2020]

Stop watching after season 4. The show takes a big drop in quality from which it never recovers after that. Plus it's a solid season to end the series on. Not much regarding loose threads, various character arcs resolved in a good way, bittersweet like most seasons, and the series remains engaging.

Not for the Dim-Witted

[F_Hugh_Seekay · 8/10 · 10 July 2013]

If you enjoy subtly, watch this show. If you need things spelt out for you, step-by-step, explicitly with poor writing, don't watch this show. If you like character-driven drama with quality acting, watch this show. If you have a short attention span and need action sequences every second minute to avoid channel surfing to the next thing, don't watch this show.

Ray Donovan is a well-written, superbly-acted, character-driven drama. After two episodes, it is clear that Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight have bought in fully to their roles and they are nailing them. Supporting performances are also very strong, in my opinion.

I expect plenty of people to be confused by the plot, because the writers don't feel the need to spoon-feed the audience. You have to pay attention and not everyone has that ability. In my opinion, this is everything a quality TV Show should be, when it is written, directed, and produced for an intelligent audience.

Please renew for at least one more season...

[khalillavan · 10/10 · 18 February 2020]

Season 7 finale was not a proper series finale. Now that Ray finally found out what really happened to his sister, there has to be more reaction from the rest of the family. I've watched this show from day one and if the studio wants to cancel this show, then do it with a bang for the loyalty of your fans!!!

Best new show of 2013

[NemedyNM · 10/10 · 1 February 2014]

At first I was skeptic, after seeing series like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire my expectations to a new TV show were sky-high.

The first look at the cast of this show made me curious, I mean a series with Liev Schreiber, Steven Bauer, Elliott Gould and Jon Voight really sounds good in the first place.

After seeing the first 3 episodes I already knew I'm gonna love it and I wasn't disappointed after I finished the last episode of the first season.

Liev Schreiber's acting in this show is top-notch, and I have to admit I have never been a big fan of him before, but this show made up his reputation to me, he definitely has what it takes to play a leading character. But the one who really stands out is Jon Voight. He is definitely at the top of his game in this show and I was really surprised by his emotional bandwidth.

The show has all ingredients to become a cult classic, it has great cinematography, great acting and writing and the score really caught my attention.

First 4 seasons are great, but then it crashes

[GSMO2020 · 8/10 · 15 July 2020]

I loved the first 4 seasons, but not a fan of season 5. Stupid plot decision, and it consumed the entire season. Plus the ongoing flashback thing sucked. Season 6 and the move to New York might be even worse, as Ray stumbles around in a stupor. Most of the characters are great, with Jon Voight stealing the show, but both of "Ray's kids" end up sucking and are horribly annoying. Still, the first 4 seasons are so good, I'll give it an 8 out of 10. Hoping they somehow get a chance to do season 8. Maybe they can end it on a high note.

Interesting show

[amills2 · 8/10 · 25 August 2013]

I think the one thing a lot of people who don't like this show seemed to have a problem with was "lack of believability" and "pointless sex / violence / bad deeds" . But I think that's exactly what the show is about, the fact that dark and awful things happen all the time, dirty meaningless sex happens all the time, and horrible violence happens all the time. And I personally find it interesting and compelling, but maybe my "moral compass" is broken.

As far as believability, I find the characters to be dimensional and well portrayed, and the dialogue to be well written. I don't know any movie stars, rich people or old Boston townies, but I don't find any accents or characters to seem over the top or off (which can be a pretty easy thing to notice when it's really bad).

At least it's not as bad as shows about CIA operatives who wear heels on every mission... (but that's another show).