Was looking forward to this series, wound up being disappointed. I did like the mechanized flying-monkey drones, thought that was a clever reimagining. The rest was junk, like they didn't have enough money for effects and could only manage to sprinkle some yellow powder around for the 'road'. If the writers, producers, showrunner and director had free reign and more funds -- it could've been great imaginative storytelling. As-is, it's a slightly more adult version of ABC's "Once Upon a Time", and that isn't saying much. Another unfortunate example of homogenized primetime network television roadblocking of potential. Would rather to see a Netflix, HBO, or Showtime version of the same series.

It's too early to tell whether this series will survive, but it has potential. It has a good cast, and the characters and their world have mysteries to reveal. It has so little to do with The Wizard of Oz it would have been better if it could shrug off the ill fitting mantle. It may have been the pitch that sold it to the network, but I think it just holds it back. So far I give it an 8 (potentially great) out of 10, but we will have to wait and see if it falters under the weight of it's unnecessary trappings.

Interesting re-imagining of the Wizard of Oz, The first episode (double) felt a bit drawn out and the plot was a bit meandering. Hoping it improves, the lead actress seems good, some of the other acting is a little average. I was expecting more effects as it had been hyped up a lot but there were very few.

This has had a very troubled production (starting back in 2014) with it being cancelled after being given a full series order, before production even began due to creative differences.

A year later it was back on the cards but with a new showrunner so NBC are obviously pinning some hope to it.

I am very interested to see what Tarsem Singh delivers now that he has come onboard as the director of the entire first season. Singh is visually masterful so I have no doubt that the look will live up to the "alternate telling, a dark, edgy version of The Wizard of Oz" that was original pitched to NBC, its just left to be seen how the writing stacks up against it.

Fingers crossed.

Visually stunning with some great casting choices, this dark and gritty adaptation of the Wizard of Oz ultimately tried too much, too fast without giving viewers a chance to settle into these new versions of familiar characters.

_Emerald City_ is a dark and gritty re-envisioning of L. Frank Baum’s classic Oz book series. Season 1 follows a young woman named Dorothy Gale who gets swept-up in a tornado and is transported to a strange world where she gets caught in a war between a tyrannical ruler named Oz and a coven of witches lead by Glinda, who’s been secretly building an army. The episodes pull plot threats from the first couple of Oz novels, but usually with a macabre twist. However, the show bears little resemblance to Baum’s Oz, and is more of a medieval fantasy tale. For the most part the show is well-cast, particularly Vincent D’Onofrio and Joely Richardson; who both have tremendous screen-presence. And the writers do a fairly good job at developing story arcs that build over the 10-episodes (often in unexpected ways). But _Emerald City_’s bold and edgy take on Baum’s work tried to turn Oz into something that it’s not, and as entertaining as it was, it had trouble finding an audience; leading it inevitably to be cancelled.

I miss it. I hope they can try something like this again.

I thought this would be enjoyable but the acting was terrible and the storyline wasn't intriguing.

This show is something of an odd one. I have not read the book, but only seen the movie as a child. This show is nothing like it. They went with a dark twisted setting that really interested me. I have never liked fantasy, but this was good. Its slow and explained things enough that I could understand. If you watch shows for CGI special effects or lots of action rather than development in characters and the storyline, you might want to give this a miss. I really wish that they had renewed this for a second season, or carried the story on in medium.

Colourful. Dramatic. Fantastic landscapes. Great characters. Loved the show, initially a little slow to start and then an ending which clearly left things open for more; it seems that isn't going to happen.

**8/10**:

Coming from a non reader and someone who knows nothing about all the wizard of oz stuff, this show has had me gripped so much.
The show is riddled with really nice twists and takes you on a journey. The use of magic is really good, I still have no idea how magic actually works and hope that they bring into the next season Dorothy learning how to use her abilities and actually exploring the world.
Really hoping the show doesn't get canceled and they get to tell their whole story.