I've read the user reviews, and people seem to love or hate it. Yet, no one seems to have pointed out the obvious: it is only the kids that speak in "modern slang". The adults are all speaking appropriate to the era. So the underlying theme is the age old concept of kids and adults speaking different languages, and therefore not understanding one another. Schultz did it with the Peanuts characters and more recently Macfarlane with Family Guy. I am a 56 year old WASP, so am the definition of "stuffy" and I throughly enjoy period shows and movies. This was NOT intended to be one of those. Once you let go of that expectation, it is really quite clever and entertaining.
229 Reviews
Very creative and imaginative
mlbroberts27 December 2020
And new. All right, I don't get the low ratings at all unless the raters were expecting something they had already made up their minds they were going to see. I went into this not expecting anything, but what I got was something different and frankly, the only thing worth watching on Apple TV. Anachronistic? Yes, so what? Anything like the real Emily Dickinson? Except that we can be sure she didn't talk 2020 hip, who knows what the real Emily Dickinson was like? For the record, I'm well over 65 and I loved the imagination that went into this series. I love TV from the 60s and 70s, for what it was. I love this for what it is - different, imaginative, fresh.
Fun satire
offhunting24 August 2020
This show! Loads of fun... taking a historical literary genius, and mashing up 21st century language, music, and antics into it. Because why not?
Shows and stories like this turn stuffy dry history into something a lot more palatable and attractive to the teenage crowd, and therefore they will feel some sort of connection to Emily as a writer.
There's a huge disconnect in the reviews, because some people can't fathom what the writers have done with this story of Emily... but I think it's a very clever way to bring our younger generations along for the literary ride. Its meant to be fun... not biographical.
Shows and stories like this turn stuffy dry history into something a lot more palatable and attractive to the teenage crowd, and therefore they will feel some sort of connection to Emily as a writer.
There's a huge disconnect in the reviews, because some people can't fathom what the writers have done with this story of Emily... but I think it's a very clever way to bring our younger generations along for the literary ride. Its meant to be fun... not biographical.
Absolutely Adored it!!!
kennethajoseph-0176122 October 2020
I watch it and, re-watched it again. I understand this may not be for everyone. However, as far as myself, I wish there was more show like this. I enjoyed every character. I especially enjoyed the way Hailee Steinfeld portrayed Emily Dickenson.
This is not your typical "Cookie Cutter" series. For me; it was a very pleasant surprise. And yes, I am already looking forward to watching it again.
This is not your typical "Cookie Cutter" series. For me; it was a very pleasant surprise. And yes, I am already looking forward to watching it again.
Speechless... The OG of a new type of show
johnnymonsarrat26 March 2021
I'm normally so good with words. It's historical but accessible. It's poignant but laugh out loud funny. It teaches you something about humanity. It connects you to a bygone era in a way that's rich, not a soup of facts and names. It's well written, well acted, well directed. It's a good deed, keeping alive a famous poet, but in a way that's relatable. It's like Hamilton and Arrested Development, a new type of of medium. A new art form. I'm LOSING MY MIND. It's so good. Even if you think you hate poetry, don't you see? Poetry is life! Everything in the world is poetry to the discerning. Teaching us a discerning viewpoint is the purpose of any great art. This show does that.
Incredible. A triumph.
Ritchie075 November 2019
I can not comprehend why this has such a low rating on here. I was mind blown. Tore through the series in a day. Hailee is Emmy-worthy and it's a fresh, unique show. Can't wait for season 2.
Make your own decisions, like Emily.
Make your own decisions, like Emily.
One of the best shows going
Boristhemoggy4 January 2021
I wasn't sure about watching this simply because I'm not a lover of historical series. However from episode 1 Hailee Steinfeld's Emily had me hooked.
It's fast and funny and quirky and there are only 2 people who could have taken this role: Steinfeld and Winona Ryder.
Krakowski brings a fiery funny to it too and the rest of the cast are very able.
I'm not interested in the life of Emily Dickinson, I just love the show for what it is.
Watched because there was nothing else left
thejdrage1 May 2023
I actively avoided this program. I did not study Emily Dickinson (I now have a book of her collected poems), and I avoid shows about wars at all costs ....... except this one because I ran out of anything else to watch.
To say this is not a regular program is an understatement. You have to watch and listen closely to the lines and situations - and you'll be well rewarded with some of the funniest tidbits on TV.
My absolute favorite scenes are Emily with Death! He is MAGNIFICENT!! WOW!! Talk about perfect casting. Wiz Khalifa puts a slant on his character that is so smooth and I cannot imagine another actor in that part. He is absolute perfection.
This series is odd. And beautiful and gripping. Yes it's different. Please enjoy it for it's uniqueness.
To say this is not a regular program is an understatement. You have to watch and listen closely to the lines and situations - and you'll be well rewarded with some of the funniest tidbits on TV.
My absolute favorite scenes are Emily with Death! He is MAGNIFICENT!! WOW!! Talk about perfect casting. Wiz Khalifa puts a slant on his character that is so smooth and I cannot imagine another actor in that part. He is absolute perfection.
This series is odd. And beautiful and gripping. Yes it's different. Please enjoy it for it's uniqueness.
Romantic, quirky and beautifully produced series
hzxjdg26 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Romantic and quirky series that puts a refreshingly modern spin on some historical facts, albeit that a lot of fiction was thrown in for good measure as always. Costumes were incredible, the casting was perfect and the series was beautifully produced.
I was slightly disappointed when Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higgins was not portrayed as meeting with Emily Dickinson as they historical did. Higgins was perhaps her biggest fan at the time and described his meeting with her as almost cathartic, such a shame that some of that did not find its way into the final episode. Notwithstanding that I would highly recommend the series.
I was slightly disappointed when Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higgins was not portrayed as meeting with Emily Dickinson as they historical did. Higgins was perhaps her biggest fan at the time and described his meeting with her as almost cathartic, such a shame that some of that did not find its way into the final episode. Notwithstanding that I would highly recommend the series.
Dude, this is a comedy/satire
sbz50026 November 2019
Half way through and wanting more. I definitely think the negative reviews are from watchers who do not understand that this is a comedy/satire. Nothing about this screams historical accuracy, it is just an interest premise centered around a very interesting historical figure. It reminds me of the show "Another Period" in many ways, but replace the reality show vibe with historical fiction.
Unique and fun
calicut11015 December 2020
Once you give in to the stylized approach it works really well. I was not expecting to like this at all but I found the music, acting and story quite addicting. Really unique take on this talented and misunderstood poet.
Nothing period about this drama
UPCritic8 November 2019
Fantastic
samantharosesnyder1 November 2019
A great rendition of Emily Dickinson
SpaceDusty4202 November 2019
One of my favorite parts of my studies at university was getting to learn about the life of Emily Dickinson. I always had an idea of what she would have been like, and this show got it spot on. Three words always come to mind while thinking of the real Dickinson: wild, eccentric, and queer (both in personality and sexuality). Hailee Steinfeld did an amazing job in her portrayal of Emily Dickinson. Also, I think the anachronisms were done remarkably well in this show compared to other uses I have seen in other film and television.
This is not a biopic of Emily Dickinson! It's better!
marcusl19849 November 2019
It's so good. But not for everyone!
elvis-119863 November 2019
the music ruins it
michaeljfox20 January 2021
I'd rate this show a lot higher if it weren't for the choice of music. The aesthetic is simply ruining it. I get it, using the music they want to tell the story in a contemporary way. I wish they didn't, because several times per episode the ridiculous 21st century party music absolutely ruins it.
Brilliant
kay_rock4 November 2019
I'll admit the modern language and music was a little jarring at first, but once it clicked for me, I realized how brilliant it was. I am so sorry for those who don't understand why it was used or who found it upsetting. It wasn't a gimmick at all. It was a perfect medium.
Period pieces can be beautiful and transportive, but we are always left with a sense of otherwordliness. The use of modern language and music in this show changed all of that. Instead of us being transported to her world, she was brought just a footfall into ours. I can't imagine a better way for Emily Dickinson to be brought truly alive and tangible and approachable to an audience who may not be familiar with her.
We never forget that she was from a different era with different requirements of women and different social ethics, but we are also invited in to see her... not as a woman from some long ago world too far away from ours to really understand... but as a young woman as real and vibrant as if she were alive today. The humor that it evoked in some scenes was the perfect foil for some of the tragedy. I really loved it.
It was heartbreaking and beautiful and really well done.
Period pieces can be beautiful and transportive, but we are always left with a sense of otherwordliness. The use of modern language and music in this show changed all of that. Instead of us being transported to her world, she was brought just a footfall into ours. I can't imagine a better way for Emily Dickinson to be brought truly alive and tangible and approachable to an audience who may not be familiar with her.
We never forget that she was from a different era with different requirements of women and different social ethics, but we are also invited in to see her... not as a woman from some long ago world too far away from ours to really understand... but as a young woman as real and vibrant as if she were alive today. The humor that it evoked in some scenes was the perfect foil for some of the tragedy. I really loved it.
It was heartbreaking and beautiful and really well done.
Binge-Worthy
wbraffman2 November 2019
This is the best show imo of the year!
juanmuscle7 March 2021
But to be fair I don't watch that many shows! But gosh its cute and funny and serious and solemn and interesting and layered and fun super fun and really pretty to look at on top of the fact that this is the best writing I have ever seen in storytelling! I think, that is because it runs the full gambit of human emotions and it does it with unabashed passion , its in your face fun creative and the most outré thing about it is that , all the writing has to stay within the latitude of what has already been created , really good job, the stars aligned for this diamond! Good job , great job!
You have got to be kidding.
bmbelko13 December 2019
Confession. I saw the trailer while playing app games. My first thought was, "This is a trashy frat boy and sorority girl view of Emily Dickinson and her time period." I went to college with these people and they couldn't put a brain together between all of them. I'll keep playing the game, but I cringe and my eyes bleed every time the trailer comes on.
This is not a ...
burakakdag-360735 January 2021
Dumbing down Dickinson
pamelareh7 December 2019
This is one of those dreadful shows where all I could do was wonder wtf were they thinking! This show is obviously aimed at a teen audience & is meant to be edgy & innovative. Instead all it does is insult the intelligence of its viewers & Dickinson's legacy. So we have the show's stars muttering such lines as 'I want to see your tits' & 'what's uppp...' Talk about the dumbing down of America...you go it all here. Says a lot about how AppleTV views its audience particularly it's female viewers.
Quirky and Heartfelt
beezlebub_959 September 2022
Definitely not for everyone, certainly not for those who crave period accuracy. But people who enjoy the queer mythos around Emily Dickinson's work and the off-beat tone and humour of recent period comedy-dramas like 'The Great' and 'Gentleman Jack' will love how original this is.
The romance is perfectly angsty, the supporting cast are hilarious but it's also very inspiring. It's not trying to be anything else and it stays true to its essence the whole way through instead of catering to popular tv tropes and writing styles. Hailee Steinfeld's performance needs a lot more praise and I'm surprised how few people seem to have watched this!
My only complaint is that sometimes the dialogue feels awkward but the actors are still delivering it with a lot of charm and personality that it's forgivable given the slightly weird genre.
The romance is perfectly angsty, the supporting cast are hilarious but it's also very inspiring. It's not trying to be anything else and it stays true to its essence the whole way through instead of catering to popular tv tropes and writing styles. Hailee Steinfeld's performance needs a lot more praise and I'm surprised how few people seem to have watched this!
My only complaint is that sometimes the dialogue feels awkward but the actors are still delivering it with a lot of charm and personality that it's forgivable given the slightly weird genre.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
