Reunion

New York PostLinda Stasi

A show so unusual in its format and plot that it will rival both "Lost" and "24" in creativity and "The O.C." in its character development.

Cleveland Plain DealerMark Dawidziak

Although "Reunion" has its labored and lackluster moments, it is an admirable attempt to try something a little different with traditional prime-time formats. Give this one major innovation points.

Miami HeraldGlenn Garvin

Sharply written and acted.

Detroit Free PressMike Duffy

Both fun and unexpected.

Hollywood ReporterBarry Garron

Although it will be hard to match "The O.C.'s" ratings, particularly against the blockbuster competition of the time period ("The Apprentice" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"), the "Reunion" pilot offers a more intriguing and creative form of entertainment.

New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley

Evoking the era is one thing "Reunion" does very well. Involving you in the plot and characters, as well as the gimmick, isn't.

People WeeklyTom Gliatto

The show could be compelling, especially if the cast pulls off two decades' worth of aging. [12 Sep 2005, p.46]

Orlando SentinelHal Boedeker

Most of the time, Reunion traffics in pained glances, portentous dialogue and life-altering lies. That approach can be addictive, if done with flair. Reunion comes through on that score only sporadically.

Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan

Even as you laugh at the clunky dialogue, cringe at the large hair, get annoyed by wardrobe stylists who think that the "Miami Vice" look was still hip in 1986, you will get sucked in to "Reunion's" murder mystery.

The New York TimesAlessandra Stanley

The actors are appealing and well cast, but their characters are quite basic, borrowed shamelessly from Brat Pack movies of the mid-80's.

Entertainment WeeklyGillian Flynn

This clever idea mostly bombs. [7 Oct 2005, p.61]

San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman

"Reunion" has more dishonest heartstring tugs than a John Hughes movie sliced up on AMC and filled with Hallmark ads. And the emotional heavy lifting makes people forget that the actual writing -- in this case, an overdose of voice-over narration -- is sleight, cloying and transparent.

Philadelphia InquirerJonathan Storm

All this foolishness is encased in an intriguing concept.

USA TodayRobert Bianco

It's an intriguing concept, but people don't watch concepts. They watch shows. And as a show, Reunion doesn't amount to nearly enough.

Wall Street JournalAmy Finnerty

An escapist, absurdist universe of barely credible plots, stellar GPAs and flawless faces.

The Onion A.V. Club

Solving the mystery may not be worth suffering through stiff acting, howler dialogue, and corny era-specific references that clutter up each installment.

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa TimesCharlie McCollum

There's nothing particularly fresh about the visual approach, the writing is only serviceable and the plotlines -- a pregnancy, a drunken-driving accident, love found and lost -- are straight out of TV Writing 101.

SlateDana Stevens

Reunion doesn't seem to get how important character is to carrying a show.

Los Angeles TimesPaul Brownfield

Graft a "Big Chill"-like premise onto a stiff yet sudsy soap opera and you still have a stiff yet sudsy soap opera.

New York MagazineJohn Leonard

For anybody to care, college will have to make these crybaby characters a lot more interesting than they are now.

Seattle Post-IntelligencerMelanie McFarland

The script is laden with corny dialogue, and the plot is predicated upon ridiculous strains in credulity -- to say nothing of the acting.

Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen

The problem with "Reunion" is that beyond the show's gimmick, there's not much to draw viewers in. The characters lack depth and personality and the situations are -- yawn -- overly familiar.

VarietyBrian Lowry

None of it is particularly convincing.

Chicago Sun-TimesDoug Elfman

The idea is inventive and almost makes me want to keep watching, except I already did and I couldn't handle the awkward bad choices characters made.

Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert

[It] isn't very good at all, even for a frothy nighttime serial.

Washington PostTom Shales

It's hard to imagine that viewers will be dying to learn which graduate kicks the bucket on "Reunion," mainly because none of them gives the appearance of being, or ever having been, alive.