This evening, ABC is unveiling their new romantic drama, Betrayal. Is it a good companion series for Revenge? Will it become a hit, a moderate success, or will it be quickly cancelled? Is it worth watching?
Betrayal revolves around professional photographer Sara (Hannah Ware) and top attorney Jack (Stuart Townsend) who, despite being married to other people, have a torrid affair. Things become even more complicated when Sara’s husband and Jack end up on the opposite sides of a murder trial. The rest of the cast includes Henry Thomas, Chris Johnson, Wendy Moniz, Braeden Lemasters, Elizabeth McLaughlin, and James Cromwell.
Sound interesting? Here’s what some of the critics are saying:
NY Times: “It would help if Mr. Townsend and Ms. Ware had chemistry, but they’re basically generic-looking actors playing out an unsurprising dynamic.”
LA Times: “If only we cared. Even a little. Ware is lovely, but Sara is nothing more than a dress-up doll. Just as fetching in tank tops as that little red dress, possessing a cool and convenient warehouse studio, she is utterly unbelievable as photographer, mother or wife. She is certainly unbelievable as a woman carried away by passion; she and Townsend’s lack of chemistry threatens to form antimatter every time they look at each other.”
Salt Lake Tribune: “After watching the pilot episode of ABC’s Betrayal (Sunday, 9 p.m., Ch. 4), two questions immediately popped to mind. First, could that possibly have been as boring as I thought? Answer: Yes. And, second, what were ABC executives thinking when they picked this up as a series? Answer: I have absolutely no idea.”
Newsday: “Sorry, but to a large extent, Betrayal is all about TMI. The entire pilot is needed to set up the convoluted pretzel of a premise, but it also gives away a huge plot point in the opening seconds. That’s not only a risky move but a confusing one for the obvious reason that we don’t even know who Sara is at this point, let alone why anyone would want to shoot the poor woman. But this message is at least delivered: Betrayal is as much a mystery as romantic drama. Does Betrayal work on either level? So far, not really.”
Variety: “Barring an unexpected turn for the better, the show seems destined to generate more unintended giggles than heat (the ads should really say “ABC’s funniest new series!”). Because while TV has plenty of room for guilty pleasures, they should really be more satisfying than this.”
Washington Post: “So far, there’s not much here you don’t see coming from many miles away, and there’s barely enough chemistry between Ware and Townsend to make things bubble. If Betrayal wants to stick around, it better have some real surprises in store.”
USA Today: “Sex, treachery, murder: Betrayal is a show with everything – except decent writing, believable characters, and anything else that would provide a reason to watch.”
NY Post: “Can anyone act here? The answer is yes. Before Betrayal, Ware’s most notable role was as Kelsey Grammer’s drug-addicted daughter in the defunct Starz series Boss. In a TV season where some seriously lazy casting is hindering the new shows, she’s a breath of fresh air: she’s subtle, assured and has an ethereal allure. How did she get a job on ABC, known for its cavalcade of wavy-haired bimbos? The Dublin-born Townsend, who joins the list of foreign-born actors with a mastery of the American accent, manages to be available, passionate and furtive all at the same time. If anyone’s capable of Betrayal on this promising new drama, it’s Jack McAllister.”
What do you think? Are you planning to watch Betrayal? If you’ve already seen it, will you watch again? Would you recommend it?
I cant believe all those newspapers writing this show off as bad charcters and lack of chemistry. The first episode had me hooked. Jack and Sara definitely have great chemistry. All the other characters were fantastic. This show has in some aspekts a story we’ve seen but is still different in so many ways. It was a breath of fresh air from all the other million shows which all are about murder cases. Jack was amazing, i wish to see more of him. And yeah i Think its him in the end with sara. I don’t want to Think of… Read more »
I find it interesting that this show was criticized for its plot but guess what show started this year with the same plot??? The Affair. Could it be more obvious about what it’s about?
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW. I LOVED IT AND THINK THE ACTING AND STORY WAS AWESOME. I LOVED THE TRIAL PART TOO.
HOPE IT WILL CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER SEASON.
Love love love this show please do not cancel!!!!
as you know the show is over….sad to say. What I want to know is….who do YOU think the guy was standing at the table with Sara….???? she had ordered wine for him….do you think it was Jack…or Drew?????? I was thinking Jack…because the scene was similar to the time when Jack and Sara were having wine at a table
together. ..at the start of the affair.
Please don’t cancel, it’s a great show, great story line.
It may not be perfect, but I love it, I love actors, their acting and passion. I love the plot.
I love the show. There is no way of saying that actors lack any emotion, passion and acting skills. BTW, the plot really caught and moved me.
I am so missing this show. I loved it..my favorite !! Great story line…and characters…esp S Townsend and Hannah Ware…!!!
Who do YOU think she was talking to at the end of the show ???
Jack..or Drew??? I am hoping Jack….I thought back to the start of the show..when they were sitting at a table…when they first got together.
WE ARE TOTALLY HOOKED AND REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THIS SHOW
I already did. Love the show.
Please don’t cancel this show. The best on TV.
Love this show… Please don’t cancel it. I look forward to it every Sunday
This show is awesome! Sara and Jack’s relationship has me looking forward to the next episode. Please return for a second season.
I agree love I this show
Love this show!!!!!! Please don’t cancel!!!!!
This show is the only reason I watch ABC!
Love love love……this show…and will miss it…..do enjoy S Townsend. Great chemistry with Sara.