Ironside (2013) User Reviews (18)

All Went Wrong

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 18 October 2013]

Blair Underwood is a great actor and he takes on the challenge to remake an old TV character Robert Ironside. He's a cop who got shot but stayed on duty in the field.

He's an action sexy hero supercop on wheels. A lot of it is too over the top without being smart. It's just too much to see him time after time taking the bad guys down. At some point his disability should be a disability. I understand the wish to make disable as just another opportunity, but I would respect the show more if they do it more realistically.

It's a dark moody show. It might be too dark and moody. No matter what the case may be, it never got past episode 3 before being canceled. It had horrible viewership.

Predicable remake of a classic

[afijamesy2k · 4/10 · 2 October 2013]

Despite the great casting and blair underwood's guaranteed emmy nominated performance as Michael ironside, this is a very dull and ultimately predicable remake of a 1967-75 classic starring the late great Raymond burr about a police officer who is shot and paralyzed into a wheelchair for a lifetime and in order to solved cases on his own, in the original he was a san Francisco police detective, but in the remake he is a NYC Police detective, the teleplay does not work, the story is a mess, the writing is ultimately useless and the editing is just plain unwatchable, although is not nearly as dreadful as the extremely horrible knight rider was in 2008, but still very disappointing, although the cast is fine in their roles, but the remake just doesn't do justice for me, so I Have to give this one a thumbs down for me.

Bad bad bad

[wendimac · 4/10 · 26 December 2013]

This should have been good but I don't it was just missing something there didn't seem to be any connection between the characters. There was talk of one having a trust fund and being rich to be honest I did care. i like the original series I would still watch that rather than this. I really didn't like when they kept bouncing backwards and forwards into Ironsides life they made it to personal seeing him having nightmares and still being able pull women him being really tough. There was one part of any episode where a man was dying and Ironside told that he was going to die but that he could still help by telling them what he saw things like that they went out there way to show you that Ironside was this tough cop even though he was in a wheel chair. It seem to me to be trying to hard and I wasn't surprised that it was cancel but I think that they should have let the series finish

how utterly disappointing can a show be?

[bragisvoice · 1/10 · 24 October 2013]

A ridiculously mundane and boring piece of political correct re-boot that fails in every sense of the word. I can't imagine what the producers of this show were thinking.

In it's day Ironside was edgy and suspenseful. However simple it might appear to audiences of today, it was a engrossing TV show in it's proper time frame. Other shows have made successful transitions via reboot, Hawaii 50 being notable, but they remain true to the idea of their initial show. This reboot seems to rely on the tragedy of a politically correct theme to inspire audiences to feel the drama and depth that's quite lacking in the writing. It doesn't work.

Simply changing gender, color, nationality etc. doesn't make a reboot viable. In fact, it would seem that unless there's something genuinely interesting about a reboot, audiences find them insipid and often resent the newer version.

I would think some talking head somewhere in the creation chain would eventually figure this concept out. Put something of merit in the new version for people to enjoy or don't bother remaking something that people were once entertained by.

This show deserves cancellation.

I'm Glad It's Gone

[begum-839-988458 · 2/10 · 8 November 2013]

This show was really really boring, I can't believe that it actually got made. What a boring reboot and they worried way too much about being politically correct - I care a lot more if a show is good and compelling than if it is politically correct. I don't know at all what the producers of this show could possibly have been thinking when they gave the go ahead to this show and then let it be made this way and still went ahead and aired it on TV, it's like they didn't care it was bad or didn't care if we liked it or not, probably just worried about the bottom line.

Ironside used to be a good show but it doesn't seem like something that needed a reboot. I am very glad this show is gone because it was a wasted opportunity. Could have been a good show if they did more with it than just said "let's make the guy athletic and black, that's different enough right?"

Good but still... an INFOMERCIAL for what I hope will be better...

[mcort5 · 4 October 2013]

This was the first episode. It was an infomercial for the show. As mentioned above the actors were well chosen and competent in their roles. I DO wonder why they moved the setting to New York. (They could have stuck with San Francisco and shot in Oregon, Washington or Vancouver).

The writers should not expect to use Blair Underwood's sex appeal to push the series along. (This didn't work with Jimmy Smits in "Outlaw"). Furthermore, they shouldn't trade on nostalgia for the old series (like they did with the failed Bionic Woman and Knight Rider attempts).

This IS the gritty, sexy Robert Ironside that was promised. BUT RAISE THE BAR on the WRITING. (Think: Law and Order franchise, West Wing, E.R.). Some of it HAS to be about police work and criminals.

erm...not really...

[abumchi-s · 7/10 · 5 December 2014]

Just watched a couple of episodes - I have to say that the original Ironsidewas way better.

It was clever without relying on the fine looks of the actors. The original Ironside was cool and held my interest to the end of each episode, this updated version just does not...at all. I think the producers were attempting to do 'gritty', fast-paced and pretty - all at the same time. I was bored and literally switched off a number of times. I only recommend this to people who primarily watch TV to see actors with good looks. Otherwise this is a poor knock-off version of the original. Blair Underwood is far too good looking, too toned and too suave to play this role.

you don't replace the original by a copy

[georgeszaslavsky · 1/10 · 6 October 2013]

Another example of why remakes of good old TV series can be bad. Blair Underwood is no Raymond Burr and will never be. The original Ironside had this typical 60's-70's flavor that you hardly see in series today as well as some great guest stars but also some great actions and intensity. this one is just another remake in order to relaunch something that was big in the past. The script of the episode is poor and the plots are poor too. Watch the original Ironside if you want to see the real thing. For many fans worldwide Raymond Burr immortalized Ironside. Blair Underwood simply doesn't fit the bill at all, same for the other characters of the show, they aren't the original ones. This TV series deserve one out of ten because it lacks originality and is a big disrespect to the original Ironside series

Say it ain't so!!!

[Solveig51 · 8/10 · 27 October 2013]

My husband and I have been watching this show since it came out. We enjoy this drama because of the way it is - bloody, gripping, and sometimes the characters don't follow procedure. Frankly, it's what most of us secretly hope for - that the bad guys get the crap kicked out of them to get the job done!

So, a lot of cop shows have blood and guts - CSI, Law & Order & others - and they are still showing. I don't see the whining and crying that I did here about those shows.

Hey, folks, if you don't like dark drama, acted by a talented cast, find your favorite cartoons and enjoy those.

We are VERY disappointed about the decision to cancel this show. Please re-think your decision.

Disturbing.

[renaissanceacad · 1/10 · 9 October 2013]

Disturbing.

When and why did TV producers decide we all want to be disgusted? We don't.

TV should quit trying to set the record for disturbing ideas or visuals, quit trying to give ideas to the sickos.

I always enjoyed good cop shows - I don't want to be haunted by concepts that never would have entered my mind.

Good actors and based on a classic my grandmother loved, I'm pretty confident the old show wouldn't have haunted its audience.

I had to turn this off but it was too late.

Really wish they make shows that didn't always push the bar of disgusting or appalling.

Disturbing. When and why did TV producers decide we all want to be disgusted? We don't. TV should quit trying to set the record for disturbing ideas or visuals, quit trying to give ideas to the sickos. I always enjoyed good cop shows - I don't want to be haunted by concepts that never would have entered my mind. Good actors and based on a classic my grandmother loved, I'm pretty confident the old show wouldn't have haunted its audience. I had to turn this off but it was too late. Really wish they make shows that didn't always push the bar of disgusting or appalling. I believe it is

Loved it!

[wink217 · 10/10 · 4 October 2013]

Was initially afraid of what a remake would do for such an iconic television character, but I should have known better than to try and compare the two. Underwood's Ironside is more modern and sexy. Still smart and brazen like Raymond Burr's portrayal, but with a lot more swag! I'm eager to learn more about the background of the team. I really liked the camera's "surround-like" angles too. I have always LOVED Pablo Schreiber! Pablo was GENIUS as Olivia Benson's assailant on Law & Order SVU. I feel like he's had some great roles and hopefully this is a long term deal for them all! Can't wait for next week's episode of Ironside

A good first episode

[anzis · 9/10 · 8 October 2013]

A very good first episode with an interesting angle on a standard 'murder or suicide' plot. Blair Underwood makes an exciting and more hands on Robert Ironside. His interactions with suspects reminded me of what Columbo would do if he wanted the suspect to know how smart he really was. Pablo Schreiber is great as the out of control detective Virgil. The obligatory origin episodes kept the rest of the Ironside team from being fleshed out but hopefully the show will be kept on long enough for that to happen. The show is so much different than the original Ironside that I wish it wasn't a remake but was its own show with Underwood not having to co-star with a wheelchair.

Cancelled?? No way should this have been cancelled.

[david-569 · 10/10 · 23 October 2013]

Cancelled? You have got to be kidding. This is really too bad.

This program had pop. It had edge. It did not amble along like soooooooooo many other TV programs.

The flashbacks were very interesting.

I felt the actors took the dialogue and added grit. Underwood is excellent. Supporting actors developed their characters quickly and each one stood out.

Felt the directing furthered the edge and grit.

So when reading the negative feedback from the beginning really baffles. I guess folks want bland formula.

This is really too bad. This was one of the very few shows that had legs and wanted to see go. Goes to show mediocrity prevails. This show was not mediocre... but average tastes prevail. Disappointing to see this cancelled.

Ironside's Action-Packed New Series for 2013

[nutmeg5732 · 8/10 · 16 October 2013]

I love this new version! I love all the action in it. I disagree about the storyline, I feel it does have one, maybe two per episode? You have to pay close attention to it. I watched Raymond Burr's original show when it came out, and it was OK because the violence, graphics and action were barely a part of the old show, which was normal for the 60's - 70's. It was good then but only good and I get bored watching it now. The storyline barely keeps my attention. Blair's new version is action-packed, maybe a little graphic for me (I just close my eyes), but the story is exciting and meaningful. I have been a fan of Blair since "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "L.A. Law" in the 80's - 90's. I will continue watching it this season. He is a great versatile actor and I am happy he has this chance to show his wonderful talents and range of work.

Blair and crew, you are NOT boring

[whermantodd · 10/10 · 17 October 2013]

Blair, it is good to see an Afro detective replace Mr, Burr this role. You are, without plagiarizing, touching on the accent parts of Perception and Elementary well portrayed in the NYPD, versus the typical cop protocols, well done.

Loved the well choreographed hand defense scene the Oct 16th episode party shot with young lady. What Bones has taught to those who know the simple technique to subdue trouble.

My hope is this New Ironside saga will go for a quite long run with writers and directors of competent skill. The saga is wide open to the evolution of characters to face NYC could face. Thank you.

I LOVE This Show

[firefamily1952 · 10/10 · 13 November 2013]

I LOVE this show, where did it go??? I enjoyed watching this show and I all of a sudden do not find it in my TV listings on Wednesday nights. The show is Fast paced, quick thinking, extremely entertaining. Good stories, plots, action. I enjoyed the old series and it is a great to have a re-make. Any cameos from prior cast members would be a nice touch if possible. Blair is quick witted and believable. His eagerness to help his partner get back on his feet and back in the action is a good story line as well. I like that each character has a specialty that can be played upon in the show. Finance is a favorite of mine and I am intrigued when the plot focuses on criminals in the financial world. The casting was right on. The staging is creative, the team's offices outside of the police station are well done. I like drama, detective, medical, and comedy shows just to name a few. Shows with a lot of action like, Elementary, Persons Of Interest, Blue Bloods, Revenge, Covert Affairs, Good Wife,NCIS, CSI-LA, are just a few of my favorites and Ironside falls right at the top of that list. Ironside is full of suspense and at times humor, it definitely is an attention keeper. I like the flash back portions, as no matter where you decide to tune in you will be able to follow the story line. This also adds to the flavor of each episode. I hope the series continues for a long time.

good series!

[darkakira49002 · 8/10 · 18 December 2013]

I'm tired of haters, being haters! the series had a good feel to it, I really liked this series!

The series was good so far, I enjoyed it! please bring back the show for the people who enjoyed it ! the series has some strong points! The series needs some crossovers, that'll boost ratings! I think the show has a good foundation! what else can I say! don't end the series if anything needs to be taken off the air its survivor show just sucks! Bring back Iron side show needs better air time and the cast needs more work , but overall good series! let the haters hate! Start airing more episodes, you can't make a decision based on a couple of episodes!

LOVE this show

[tmaberle · 24 October 2013]

I am so very disappointed! I heard last night that Ironside didn't make it and that it is being cancelled. How foolish are the folks in charge? this is a wonderful show. I have no idea what it is up against because I have to watch television on Hulu... so I am not the typical audience... but I absolutely loved the show (not the sex in the wheelchair bit) but the fact that finally, after 45 years, we are showing someone with a physical disability in a position of authority and power! That we were finally showing a person of color, who had been one of the good guys, injured in the line of duty, in a position of power! Who makes these choices to remove programming... This show was/ IS wonderful!