Run (I) (2020) User Reviews

Loved the show, hated the ending

[lolaevergreen · 7/10 · 1 July 2020]

I was ready to give this show a 9/10, but the final episode bumped it down to a 7. The ending is just so frustrating, makes the entire story feel pointless. I was really looking forward to seeing how it would unfold, but then it was over. Just like that.

Would have been great if they added maybe 3 more episodes so we got a proper ending.

And I must say I don't understand many of the other bad reviews talking about poor writing and horrible characters. I thought the show was refreshing and it had me hooked. Binge-watched all the episodes in less than 24 hours. But that ending...oof.

4 episodes in and still have no interest

[meadowsrealestate · 5/10 · 4 May 2020]

Feels like these 2 characters are so forced and I'm really struggling to care at all what happens to them. For an HBO show, very disappointing...

Interesting - or not?

[nasloranger · 6/10 · 29 April 2020]

First of all, I wonder if this was meant to be a one-off/1 season series? I just cannot imagine it going into a second season.

If Ruby and Billy can't come to a decision by the end of 7 episodes then I'll probably lose interest. I'm already wondering what they're going to do to fill the remaining 4 episodes - I've just finished watching episode 3...

There are the lives of other people involved in their decision to "RUN". Unfortunately, as I see it, no matter what they decide IT. WILL. NOT. END. WELL. for some of them.

Just okay...

[INTXb · 6/10 · 13 April 2020]

Just one ep in but I was expecting something better. So far the chemistry between the two leads is a tad annoying. I like Gleeson quite a bit but Wever seems a mismatch for sure. I'm holding out hope it's much more than what it seems to be.

Just in

[olga-us · 6/10 · 13 April 2020]

Watched the first episode: very watchable, if somewhat underwhelming. Merritt Wever is lovely, but not quite the right match to Gleeson. The story develops at uneven pace, yet fun to watch and curious what happens next.

Not what I expected

[joeyytong · 2/10 · 12 May 2020]

When I heard Phoebe Waller Bridge was attached to this project; I was super excited. The first episode caught my interest and the chemistry between the two actors got me hooked. But as the episodes continued, I disliked both characters. There's no purpose to this story and just two people running around.

Love,Love ,Love

[tracyheld · 10/10 · 27 April 2020]

I don't know what everyone is complaining about, I love the plot's slow unfolding? Is anyone sure of how this will go. F%$K episode amazing #3, and yes they do have chemistry! Nice to see a man w/ a real looking woman ,and liking it. Does no one else not ever look back at life and say "what if I had done that another way?" I love it ...Regret and imagination of "why, what if, if only, I shouldn't, I have to leave, I have to stay,what do I do?" Isn't that why Facebook and all that other social media is so popular ?

It seems it might be a bit of a marmite situation.

[stephanojvr · 6/10 · 25 May 2020]

Too much, yet too little. So close, yet so far. It was a good show if you are a patient person. I can see what they tried to do with the direction of the show, but it seemed like there were too many directions so it went nowhere. The jokes could have been great but fell short just a bit which ended up making them awkward to the extent of making the entire show almost anxiety inducing. It needed tidying up for the humour the writers were trying to recreate to be successful. Either the writers/editors rushed it or they looked over it too many times and messed around with it.

This is what wasting talent looks like

[srwhitney · 4/10 · 18 June 2020]

What could have been a charming look in to the intricacies of lost loves and what-ifs was instead squandered by the writers of this series. Seven episodes (even at 30 minutes a piece) is more than enough time to develop characters and have them come to terms with the actions they took in the first episode, but the plot suffers from a slow start followed by too much packed in to the middle. What happens in episode 5, however, completely derails the entire purpose of the show (to use a train pun the writers ignored.) The fumbled insertion of exec-producer Phoebe Waller-Bridge (whose American character is astonishingly unconvincing) and the related sub-plot completely takes away from the narrative of the story which was driven by two actors completely capable of carrying the show. There was literally zero consequence or purpose to this sub plot, and it almost seems like the writers were stuck digging their way out of a needless major plot twist. Was there a different story that was quickly rewritten at the last minute? Or maybe it was written as they shot? All we know is that this waste of almost an entire episode worth of story killed the entire series and left the ending completely rushed, without enough time for the leading duo to do their thing and wrap up the season. Next time you try to cross breed "Fargo" with "When Harry Met Sally" consider the consequences.

Unsurprisingly, the writers arrogantly assume there's going to be a second season for them to undo the damage of the final three episodes. If there is, we know that HBO is truly lost. If I were the stars, I'd make sure to stay well away and leave this show to be forgotten.

Loved it

[skrupke · 10/10 · 29 May 2020]

Apparently, I'm the odd one out, but I loved this. Maybe I related a bit too much with Ruby. The excitement of what would happen if I just up and left really stuck with me.

Only watching for Merritt Wever

[julieshotmail · 6/10 · 29 April 2020]

This show is rather dull and contrived. I only tune in to watch Merritt Wever, a different role for her than "Nurse Jackie." She's always great... gives off Sandra Bullock vibes. The lead actor not so much. He portrayed a robot in "Black Mirror," and here he is exactly the same robot.

Completely derailed during Episode 5

[lollypopwoods · 4/10 · 14 May 2020]

I had high hopes for this show because I really like Domhnall Gleeson and Merritt Wever. They have great chemistry and their characters are funny and interesting, and I thought this was going to be a sexy, fun rom-com with tones of a fast-paced thriller.

Then Archie Panjabi, who plays the former PA to Gleeson's motivational speaker, dies after jumping out of a window and being impaled while escaping from Gleeson and Wever with a bag full of Gleeson's money. And the two leads FLEE THE SCENE! It makes no sense, and now we're watching two bumbling fools on the run for basically murder when we all originally signed up to watch two ex-lovers slowly divulge their secrets to each other and decide if they want to run away together or not. Panjabi's death comes totally out of left field and changes the entire dynamic, and genre, of the show. What was once an engaging, realistic, will-they-won't-they dramedy is now a bewildering, slapstick crime thriller that is insulting to the viewer.

Intriguing opening episode.. where does it go from here?

[paul-allaer · 6/10 · 16 April 2020]

"Run" (2020 release; 7 episodes of about 30 min. each) is a new TV series. As Episode 1 opens, we get to know Ruby, an ordinary woman who is in an ordinary marriage. Ruby is in her car in a parking lot in front of Target when her husband calls her and asks that she go to their house so that she can receive a delivery that her husband has ordered. Then out of the blue, she receives a text from Billy that simply says "RUN". She thinks for a moment, and then responds "RUN", and she storms off to LAX and buys a one-way ticket to New York. Upon arriving there, she meets up with Billy at Grand Central Station, and they board an Amtrak train to Chicago... At this point we are 10 min. into the opening side.

Couple of comments: this series is the brainchild of British actress and screen writer Vicky Jones. The series is being billed as a "black comedy-thriller" and I can't quite yet make out from watching Episode 1 whether that is indeed the case. The biggest mystery in Episode 1 is figuring out what the real connection is between the two main character Ruby and Billy. It appears they've known each other since their college days, but what happened since then is unclear. Equally unclear is how they've agreed to a secret code to "run away" from whatever life they have. I guess that future episodes will make it clearer.

"Run" debuted on HBO earlier this week and Episode 1 is now available on HBO On Demand and other streaming devices. New episodes air on Sunday evenings. I'm looking forward to future episodes to see how the intriguing opening episode gets further developed.

Don't like it.

[huluyoyo · 6/10 · 29 June 2020]

It is really normal, at last I watched this totally for study English. The plot really confesed me. But I like the scenario in the train.

amazing chemistry, didn't quite stick the landing

[parkville · 7/10 · 26 May 2020]

SPOILERS well unlike most of the other reviewers, I found the premise completely plausible. Who hasn't thought 'what if' I had zigged instead of zagged and with a different partner? The leads are terrific and had great believable chemistry. I didn't find them unlikeable at all. Both have made some questionable choices and both struggle with them. the subplot with Archie Punjabi is what derailed the series for me. her untimely demise might have worked as a pitch black comedy move but just didn't here for me. and I actually was sure Merritt Wever would forgive and stay with domnhall gleason at the end. i feel like there was another act that should've followed and was missing. still worth watching - the two leads are great together until the last 5 minutes.

Love the actors, not the show

[giandeau-64927 · 3/10 · 13 May 2020]

Why would I want to spend my time without these two horrible, unredeemable people, doing horrible stupid things?

Enthralling!

[jmbrzezi-06740 · 10/10 · 17 April 2020]

I found the first episode to be completely enthralling from beginning to end. I often stop paying attention to what I'm watching, I work from home so I end up getting distracted and working on my computer and then I have to re-watch the show later. With this show, I stopped everything I was doing and was glued to the screen. I particularly loved Merit Weaver in this. I'm very surprised it doesn't have a higher rating. I've seen several reviews saying they didn't approve of the morals of Merit's character and therefore, didn't like the episode / show. Since when do we not watch shows based on the morality of the characters?? The majority of great films throughout history should have been flops by that logic. I was also disturbed to see reviews with negative comments about Merit's appearance. It seems that some men have a difficult time dealing with a female lead character that doesn't align with their idea of how a woman should act or that isn't the height of their particular idea of female attractiveness. All actresses are not here to fulfill your sexual fantasies, some of them are actually just good at acting and happen to be normal looking people, deal with it. Anyway, ignore the haters and watch the show! It's super well done!

What could have been...

[lafanbe · 6/10 · 26 September 2020]

Such a great premise !! But somehow it ended up tripping and falling down the stairs as the show neared its end.

BORING BEYOND CARING

[lindaclark-898-902009 · 3/10 · 24 May 2020]

The trailers to this show really looked interesting, but the show itself isn't. I don't know what I was hoping for, maybe some drama, intrigue, mystery and chemistry between the the actors. This show is stifling in dialogue and character portrayal. If you've just dropped out of your life to RUN off with an old love, you would be hopped up with anticipation and excitement for the event. Not our main characters here, no charisma or excitement between these two, just awkwardness. I guess I'll go back and watch Big Love or 6 Feet Under to be entertained.

A thrilling run

[sl-elena · 10/10 · 29 July 2020]

Because of the low rating, I was hesitant to watch. However, I decided to form my own opinion and did not regret it. The TV show turned out to be dynamic, not banal, touching, funny and exciting at the same time, and, most importantly, it was unlike anything else. Bravo!

The problem: Heroine is not a likeable person...

[RomanceNovelist · 6/10 · 26 May 2020]

I watched this show with some interest, and found the last three episodes to be intriguing... until I watched the last five minutes of the show, and realized, I don't like this person. She is a TERRIBLE person.

So, you leave your kids, your husband, and your job in a lurch to run off on some fantasy run with an ex-boyfriend? Feeling unfulfilled? Immature much? You don't just leave everyone in a lurch! She's not likeable. It seems like every single show HBO has created for women lately is about white women not feeling sexually liberated enough or sexually fulfilled and its annoying. The last show to deal with an unfulfilled woman was that awfully dreadful show, Mrs. Fletcher. Neither shows do anything for women or offer anything of value. Let's compare it to shows about women on HBO that I DO like...

Shows like Divorce was a great. It was about relationships and coping with a divorce. The show focused on the heroine, her husband, and their friends. Yes, the heroine did some unlikeable things and I initially didn't like her in the beginning because of the way she treated her husband who seemed like a fairly decent (slightly imperfect) guy. I stayed with the show because I loved the actors, the direction, and ultimately, I became very addicted to the show and was disappointed when it ended (bring Divorce back please!) Insecure is another show that I absolutely love. It's about relationships as WELL AS THE professional lives and obstacles the women face. It's a comedy and I enjoy it. The characters on Sex and the City weren't perfect by any means, but the show was about relationships as much as it was about the physical relationships with men. Sure, it was about fashion and a bit shallow, but it was also full of humor. I love those shows.

But Run is about an extremely selfish, very immature woman doing destructive things to herself and everyone around her. Watching her lover come out in front of her children and her already upset jackass of a husband and demanding to be chosen was the first time, I actually disliked the boyfriend/lover. These are two crappy people and they deserve each other. I will probably root against them at every turn if I decide to watch this show in its next season. And I like both actors, I just can't stand the characters. UGH. Get better writers. The characters are reprehensible.

Dull, Bad Writing, Bad Characters, Not worth It

[J-Kidin · 1/10 · 7 May 2020]

I was hopeful this would be entertaining or at least intriguing, but after forcing myself to stick through the available episodes, I find it's just a waste of time. It's touted as a comedy but the writing feels so amateurish every attempt at a joke falls flat. The really funny thing is that Ruby likes to tell us repeatedly how funny she is, and Billy likes to also remind us how funny she is (I'm assuming he has ulterior motives), but with all her attempts at being funny, not one character in all the episodes ever laughs at her. It's all just too dull and forced. Maybe it's the bad dialogue but the actors deliver the lines as if they are bored too. Everything feels so forced - the situation, the dialogue, even putting two actors together with forced chemistry, which makes it uncomfortable to watch. Just so not worth it.

Run,kiss

[tatipiharshavardhan · 7/10 · 11 May 2020]

Plot is Nice slowly,unfolds the story and make a interest in each episode.

elevator pitch

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 14 July 2020]

Ruby Richardson (Merritt Wever) is tired of her suburban family life. She texts her college boyfriend Billy Johnson (Domhnall Gleeson) to RUN. It's a prepared plan from their school days that they would drop everything and runaway on a train together. Only they can't run away from their troubles.

It's a great elevator pitch but it needs to be more. After an intriguing opening, the show stalls for a few episodes. It's not until later that the show gets a second wind. It should really hit you with the second punch at the end of the pilot. These are two of my favorite actors and they struggle at first. This show has a slow start but it does find its footing eventually. It's canceled after a seven episode first season.