Endgame (2011) User Reviews (32)

Amazing!!

[fadiltobi · 9/10 · 14 May 2011]

I just watched this accidentally and geez this is one thing i might have regretted my whole life if missed! From start to end, this series will keep you tight and unpredictable like no other. If i am not wrong "Shawn Doyle" does a very fabulous job with his role. Which of course will cause lots of laughter and plot twists which i admit "like never before seen on a drama"(you might prefer CSI already did this kinda job, but NO! it never did that on a humors way like this series does!) without a slight bit of boring sequence...

In fact, Watching an episode of this drama will sink the time faster just like watching an episode of "Game Of Thrones"....

Trust me, This will be the "Thing" that you seek on to be in a plot solving series if i am not wrong...

Just give it a try will ya! I'm sure you'll never regret watching it!

one of the Best shows on TV to date...

[fastforwardcoaching · 8/10 · 6 June 2011]

what I usually do is only watch the first 20 min of a new show and this let's me know if it is something I will enjoy to watch, and I can tell you that with-in the first 10 min I new that this was going to be a very entertaining show to watch. I keeps you under suspense the entire time, and it is very well written, and the acting is fantastic... very sad to hear that it has been cancelled, what a shame especially when there was finally something to watch that was worth watching... The story lines are very interesting and it is very difficult to tell what the out come will be. Most of the shows on TV now are so very predictable and bravo to the writers that pulled this one off and did a fantastic job doing it, and the production value is great as well.

Creatively combining the best aspects of "House, MD" and "CSI"

[whoopingchow · 9/10 · 6 June 2011]

This show reminded me a little bit of House. I was first introduced to it when I read the general plot of the show on a weekly TV review magazine. It was intriguing, and I am always willing to give shows that attempt to imbue intellectual pursuits creatively a shot (like, Numb3rs or Big Bang Theory). When I first watched the pilot, I was hooked. Shawn Doyle portrays his character beautifully, and it almost reminded me a bit of Dr. House. The connections to chess (the game) are sometimes a bit contrived, but as the show goes on, you gain a deeper appreciation of the producers' visions. I like it the same reason way I was drawn to the original CSI. Its cast of characters and the exposure to new concepts and ideas have created a small revolution in my own way of thinking, and I greatly appreciate the show for accomplishing this.

I did not give this show a 10, because it is not "The Wire".

This show deserves a second season!

[trlibhart · 10/10 · 6 June 2011]

I absolutely LOVE Endgame. The cast is phenomenal, the story is original, and it is one of the most intelligent shows today on ANY network- Canadian or otherwise! Shawn Doyle as Arkady Balagan is AMAZING and a true credit to Canadian talent! While his chess master may first come across as arrogant and ego-centric, Doyle has the ability to play Balagan with such depth and complexity that you cannot help but be astounded by his genius and saddened by his pain. Balagan can see beyond the obvious and notice the nuances of any problem he encounters, except the one case he has yet to solve- that of his murdered fiancée. I was first drawn to the series as a longtime fan of Patrick Gallagher (True Blood, Glee, Men of a Certain Age), but now I cannot wait to watch it every week to see all of these incredible actors portray this touching and brilliant story.

Pleasantly Surprised!

[keikomushi · 10/10 · 1 June 2011]

I have to admit beforehand that after being so disappointed with recent detective shows that I was reluctant to give Endgame a go. However, upon prompting by a house mate, I decided to give it a watch. I was a little confused at first, expecting it to be more serious than it was. Once past the first few minutes, I found that the comedy elements were a perfect fit. The acting and direction did justice to the amazing work of an awesome scriptwriting team. I hope to see this series continued past the first season, though there seems to be a trend of late wherein intelligent shows are canceled. Fingers crossed the viewers take a liking to this series.

Brilliant concept, great execution!

[mike_koganov · 10/10 · 6 June 2011]

I am hard core chess fan and reasonably strong player and I always wished our game gets media attention and recognition it deserves. Here comes Endgame. The show is not really about game of chess, but rather about Chess grandmaster who applies his analytical skills to solve crimes. The brilliance of the show, is the way they display this thinking process. Arkady, the grandmaster imagines potential suspects as pieces on the chess boards, he actually talks to them to question and analyze their motives.

Shawn Doyle who is playing the main role- I absolutely love this guy.

From a chess fan standpoint, I greatly appreciate the fact that show producers went to a great length to reproduce quality chess content, in those occurrences where chess has actually being used. It references Donald Byrne - Bobby Fischer game of the century as an example. It warmed my heart to see real position from Kings Indian defense to be played in one of the episodes and fashionable chess equipment (like Chronos and Saitek Competion chess clocks). Compare this to some other shows where chess board placement is typically wrong. Guys- remember, white square on the right side of player with white pieces.

For someone who was born Russia, it is obvious the show was made for Western audience and full of Russian stereotypes. Arkady drinks vodka right from the bottle, talks about Putin wanting to kill him, often says "na zdorov'ja" (instead of na zdorov'ie), dances "gapak", etc. Still all those Russian shortcomings simply add charm to this show.

I hear the news that for some reason that is simply beyond my understanding there maybe no second season. That will be very sad. The story of the main hero has just been briefly touched upon and all the fans are anxious to find out more about him. I really hope that network gives the show another chance.

Smart TV

[tikiwheels · 10/10 · 6 June 2011]

Looking at crimes from the point-of-view of a chess game and the players as chess pieces is fascinating. The chemistry of this ensemble cast led by damaged Russian Ex-pat Chess-master (played by Shawn Doyle) is a testament to the phrase "friends are the family you choose". Albeit a dysfunctional one, but then what family isn't a little bit? I was curious to see where the storyline was headed. I really would have liked to see the back story of the character of Sam (played by Torrance Coombs). Where does he go when he's not assisting Arkady solving mysteries in trade for chess matches? It's really nice to see a Vancouver, BC based show actually play as Vancouver, BC. Sadly it looks like we'll only see one season. A shame as the show was just hitting its stride.

Intelligent television

[killerqueen76 · 31 July 2011]

Among all the "crime" shows out there, i enjoy this one the most. Intelligent TV is usually an oxymoron, but not in this case! I love the way Balagan doesn't have to resort to anything physical,but uses his intelligence to solve crimes. And the use of chess moves to work out the sequence of events is genius on the part of the writers! It is well acted and I especially like that the show is set in Vancouver, and you know it's set in Vancouver; not in some anonymous American city!

I really hope the network gives this a second season to gain more viewers. I have friends as far away as Isreal who really love this show.

Quickly grows on you

[ihatespike · 7/10 · 27 April 2014]

I came across this little gem of a series on Hulu (after it advertised it about a million times) and I'm certainly glad I did; it's one of a handful of shows you watch with bittersweet enjoyment since you know right away it has already been cut before its prime. The detective setup is reminiscent of a chess game in that it starts the same. There's the quirky, somewhat impaired detective and the patient supporting cast who put up with his antics. Give it a little time and your fear of triteness will vanish; the cast is pretty easy to like, the detection/thought process of the main character is quite enjoyable and fresh, the accents do not chafe (bravo, Mr. Doyle), the mysteries are actually mysteries (there's room to guess, but it isn't dumped in your lap), and the stories got better and better. Here and there the dialogue doesn't seem to strike the right chord, but that isn't the actors so much as the scripts. All in all this bit of television is well worth your time if you like detective shows.

Great start for the new show

[tablekorner · 10/10 · 21 March 2011]

When I first so a commercial for this show I thought it looked like an interesting idea. Definitely worth checking out. But I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The first episode was great and had some good performances. My favourite would obviously be the main character Arkady Balagan played by Shawn Doyle. He was funny and entertaining, but at the same time seemed pretty serious. Katharine Isabelle as Danni was something I looked forward too after hearing she was in the show, and like always I wasn't disappointed. The last notable was Brendan Fletcher as Merritt Singer, even though it was only one episode he was in and not the main cast, he still was entertaining to watch. The story itself although simple and basic had a small guessing games too it, and the way that Arkady solved the crime was humorous and creative. After the first episode I'm anticipating watching the next. Especially can't wait to find out Arkady's back story.

And a half.

[Headturner1 · 6/10 · 15 December 2020]

I came upon this the other night. I thought it was going to be like The queens gambit since I didn't read the synopsis. Not bad ( Ive like Isabelle in other things) pet peeve... The horrific Russian accent that he goes in and out of! I like the kid and the maid ( who I think was in tin ? need to google that.) the crimes seemed to be wrapped up kind if quickly in the last few minutes but other than that if there's not another series I'm loving atm I'll watch this.

not your usual fare

[EarlKeim · 10/10 · 16 June 2011]

The first time I saw Endgame, I thought it would be your usual "brillant guy shows all the cops and those with real know-how how to solve crimes." The show is nothing like that. Endgame's protagonist has a phobia that will not let him leave the hotel he is staying at. After his wife's murder, he was so traumatized that he could no longer be part of the "real world," unless it is through quips of his knowledge and intellect.

The supporting cast literally marvels at his genius and scoffs at his arrogance.

Every character in every episode plays a relevant part in telling the story.

In one hour, we see one of television's most vulnerable characters show everybody what he feels and sees.

Great show, Do yourself a favor and watch it if you can.

Unsatisfactory ending

[kratus-552-73932 · 4/10 · 18 June 2018]

The story of an agoraphobic chess master solving mysteries with his associates had some good moments, especially once the season got underway. Unfortunately, the single season ends with NO resolution to the central mystery of who killed the protagonist's finance. This was a very unsatisfactory ending, and my wife and I feel that we wasted our time on a show with no resolution.

Endgame= Canadian Mentalist!!!

[flames_mnorth · 10/10 · 8 June 2011]

Going into this show with the thought of, how is this going to work and how will it set itself apart from all other crime solving shows, such as the CSI franchise and the mentalist? For one, I wasn't sure how chess and crime solving would mesh and if it would mesh nicely, for another I didn't know if it would be realistic for a man, with many issues, to solve said crimes, all the while never leaving his prison (Agoraphobia) or the hotel. I was going into the first episode of Endgame thinking how is this Canadian actor going to pull off a stuck up Russian or how long will he be able to do it before I start to lose interest?! In the end I was pleasantly surprised and quite addicted! First two episodes in I had a completely different mindset about the show. Endgame proved to have a very nice balance going for it, one I appreciated. For it set itself apart from the other, very similar, crime shows. I found Arkady Balagan(Shawn Doyle)quite refreshing, as well as the supporting actors/characters, Hugo(Patrick Gallagher) Sam(Torrance Coombs), Danni(Katharine Isabelle)and Pippa(Melanie Papalia), to name a few. As far as Arkady, chess and crime solving go, I loved it, the story line had a smooth flow to it, The episode "Mr. Black" is a prime example of this. If anything my interest and need for the show grew with each new episode, considering they kept getting better and better, there was a new and unique idea to each episode, which made it impossible for the show to get "old"!!! So now of course i've fallen in love with the show and all it has to offer, the fact that it is Canadian and shot in Vancouver only made me love it more. I was heartbroken to hear that it had been canceled. I joined a movement known as Save Endgame and became what people have started to call "Endgamers", in order to save this show. Facebook pages(Save Endgame, and Endgame) were set up to allow not only North Americans but the rest of the world to have a voice, a fighting chance to save this amazing show. A petition was started(go to the facebook page- Save Endgame for the link) So that everyone around the world could actively take part in saving the show!!! Now we have a global voice, that is growing every minute of every day, we want this voice to shout so loudly that the producers and anyone affiliated with Endgame hear us and give us what we scream for, A second, third, fourth, we'll even take a fifth season, perhaps even throw in a movie to top it all off!! Join the cause and save an amazing Canadian show, if not for you, do it for us!!! Save Endgame!!!!

Giving it a Chance

[schobitz05 · 8/10 · 7 April 2011]

Something awesome happened to me with this series. After the first episode i must say i was a little disappointed with it, but then, i saw second episode and everything changed. The characters got more deep, the story changed for the good and i could really understand what this series was going to be about. Now i'm on the third episode and i can see from the start a mystery, well played characters and also JACK DANIEL from stargate! HA! Being a fan from former character and all, all i can say is GIVE THIS A CHANCE TO GET TO YOU... It may take a while to introduce trough your senses, but, it will sure get to you after a little while seeing the genius of the master chess player in action reveling the mysteries of crime. If you are a fan of LIE TO ME, you will get to love this. Follow my advise and i assure you one hell of a ride.

A very nearly unique conceit for a cable crime drama

[DJWyce · 10/10 · 13 June 2011]

Arkady Balagan, an agoraphobic grandmaster chess player cannot leave the hotel he was staying in when he saw his fiancée killed. Nearly skint, he accepts commissions to solve crimes brought to him by others. He conscripts a young chess playing admirer, a chambermaid, a bartender, and the hotel's head of security - who does not like him (great relationship there) - to do his footwork for him. As they bring back the results of their investigations and research, he runs it all through his imagination, like envisioning a chess game and all his future moves, until he comes upon a likely scenario. He always inserts his own avatar into the playback, asking questions and getting advice from the characters even as he watches his scripts unfold. While having similarities to Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe, and Bobby Goren, he deserves not to be seen as derivative of those characters, but on a par with them.

Canada's Shawn Doyle portrays Arkady Balagan with finesse, arrogance and bravado appropriate to his egoistic appreciation of his own skills and intelligence. The supporting cast is just as good, and each episode is as good as the last.

Please bring it back

[gerviospades · 9/10 · 20 June 2020]

A very fun, creative show with exceptionally likable characters and a very unique premise! Like other reviewers said, the season ended with a lot left to be revealed about the main character and the central mystery. I would have loved to see a second season!

100 times better than the crappy Mentalist

[Dr_Sagan · 23 November 2014]

The idea behind this series is there interesting and somehow unique.

Endgame follows a fictional former World Chess Champion Arkady Balagan (Shawn Doyle), a genius who uses his analytical skills to solve crimes. An interesting addition to that original idea is that after the violent death of his fiancιe, Balagan has developed ...agoraphobia, and he cannot leave the luxury hotel that he was staying! So it's up to a few confident helpers to gather the clues from crime scenes and help him solve the mysteries! Shawn Doyle is exceptional as the eccentric Russian chess champion and the series tried some unique visual approaches (like on a chessboard) to show top the audience what is happening in Balagan's superior brain.

Unfortunately Endgame is now canceled. There is only 1 season that includes 13 episodes. Fans made some petitions for a comeback but in vain.

Overall: An "a la Sherlock" crime drama faaaaaar better than other mediocre or less series like the overpraised "The mentalist" that I recommend to check out.

A wonderful "whodunit" series - Reminds me of The Mentalist

[wlb · 9/10 · 30 April 2014]

This is the only reason I am extending my Hulu Plus subscription - to see all 39 episodes of this wonderful series.

Like The Mentalist - the hit series on CBS since 2008, the main character has 2 cases to solve each episode - the current case and the background, that of the murder of his wife.

Wonderful script writing - As the case develops, it is fun to see the logical deductions (played out by the actors in various scenarios) in the main character's (Belagan) mind.

If it has been canceled it is a problem of marketing or "getting the word out" - certainly not the wonderful scripts or their execution.

Wouldn't be the first time a wonderful series was canceled.

Only place you can watch this in the US is through Hulu Plus.

Great Concept

[Mike_Panno · 9/10 · 10 May 2019]

Why oh why was this show not renewed? WAY more interesting than The Mentalist. A very interesting original concept with excellent acting.

Mediocre effort using rehashed ideas

[johnEvegas · 4/10 · 21 June 2011]

This would be an interesting concept but still very mediocre show if not a rehash of already done ideas.

The fun and ridiculous garbage that is The Mentalist, Castle, Lie To Me and other similar shows that are done SOOOO much better and if you are going to spend time with this genre, spend your time with better quality.

I am a 4th generation Russian decent and REALLY wanted to like the show that highlighted a Russian character. The actor and character are NOT BAD and the actor is probably the highlight.

Everything else just ends up mediocre, or less than mediocre.

Delightful and fun

[M0vieL0ver · 8/10 · 3 January 2021]

The accent doesn't work very well, but look past that. This is a great hidden gem. Fun, good cast. Unique concept setting. Find it and watch it if you want to smile and sit back and enjoy a who dunnit.

This is what GREAT TV used to look like 10 years ago!

[rkaforey-82299 · 10/10 · 18 March 2022]

It's tragic in a way that I saw this now in 2022, instead of the 1 season it was on because I would still want more than 13 episodes. Get a reunion show and pick up with another 5-6 years. Brilliant writing and very well acted...all the cast. Well maybe not Hugo, not a fan of him at all.

This reminds me of another great series, this one in 2017 called The Brave. It also had great actors and characters. This series was also only given the "unlucky 13" episodes. I've watched plenty of season 2's on series not close to either of these shows.

Anyways I'll still watch all 13 episodes again next year, and every year after. At my age of 62 odds are I won't remember who done it anyways!

Fun show!

[YoureAllRavingMad · 9/10 · 4 November 2021]

I found this on Amazon Prime and watched all 13 episodes in a very short space of time. It's the perfect light-entertainment detective show for a rainy day, and I'm pretty bummed there aren't more episodes.

It took me about half an episode to get what the tone of the show was, as they mix some serious dramatic stuff (death of his wife, kidnap of a child, etc.) wish some sillier humour (basically any of the imagined scenarios that play out in Balagan's head). Once I got the particular sense of humour, I really started to enjoy this.

Arkady Balagan is a chess champion who is something of a Sherlock-type character (the TV show anyway), except while Sherlock lacks in empathy and people skills, Balagan is actually quite good at connecting with the various people who he comes into contact with (despite acting aloof and cynical), which helps him solve the cases he works on.

It's also one of the rare shows filmed in Vancouver that's actually supposed to take place there!

The acting is good all around - Shawn Doyle's portrayal of the chess master is likeable and energetic, but with enough vulnerability to make it believable that he is genuinely traumatised by his wife's death. The Russian accent isn't exactly spot-on, but it was always easy to understand what he was saying and it never took me out of the story.

The supporting cast is all likeable, and they never overstay their welcome (I usually find too many supporting characters annoying, so this counts as high praise).

The stories are fun and exciting, with a few standout episodes - the one with his cosmonaut pal, and the one with the highest-stakes computer chess game ever immediately come to mind - and there are no episodes that really fall flat. The over-arching plot about his wife's death is interesting (though using basically the same flashback every single episode got a bit dull towards the end) - unfortunately, as the series was cut short, we will never fully know what happened, though the last episode answers some questions.

All in all, I would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a fun detective show!

Another Great Unknown Canadian TV Show

[aguynameddrew · 8/10 · 13 July 2020]

The "eclectic genius crime solver" is a theme that's been done many many times. Sometimes very well and sometimes very badly. The show Endgame is definitely part of the former group.

I'm trying to think of shows that are similar and all i can come up with right now are The Mentalist and Monk.

Sadly there is only one season of this show. I watched it when it first came out and now i'm binge watching it on Amazon Prime.