User reviews

Josh Holloway stars as Gabriel, an ex-Delta Force war veteran who has had a top-secret, super- chip surgically implanted in his brain. While he possesses no physical enhancements, mentally he becomes a walking router that can mentally pull and process data from other computers (exactly how isn't made clear). Obviously, the show's title "Intelligence" isn't meant to mean "superior intelligence," rather it means an enhanced ability to acquire and apply information.

Called a hero, yet deemed reckless and sometimes insubordinate by his boss, he is assigned a capable and attractive female partner to work as his bodyguard--since he's one of a kind the U.S. Cyber Command doesn't want anything happening to him because Gabriel has some pretty amazing abilities. He can look at people, do a facial recognition scan, and then retrieve all available data about that person by accessing computer databases. Video data appears like a holographic projection that he can walk through (what he calls cyber-rendering). Exactly how that works isn't fully explained either, but the concept and presentation are presented well. The good side of that is that the show doesn't wear you down with technical detail, while presenting an innovative presentation of using it.

Abiding by the time-tested formula for action partners--Gabriel and his new partner have their share of bantering, budding sexual tension, and bonding through crisis management. However, even though that aspect of the plot may seem predictable, the acting is solid, and the characters interesting and believable.

This is an action show, so there is a fair amount of fighting and shooting, however its not over- the-top, and isn't too graphic. The Pilot presents the characters, provides an initial storyline, and although slightly confusing at first, eventually explains the capabilities that we see Gabriel using.

All in all, I thought it was a pretty good show worth watching again. The overall theme is original, but the biggest challenge for the writers will be to keep the show from becoming a stereotype of action shows. Given the great cast and judging by the Pilot, I think something good is being delivered to television audiences that will keep people watching.

I'm a big fan in general of spy dramas (counting "Nikita", "Covert Affairs", "Alias", and "Chuck" among my favourite TV shows), so maybe I was biased towards this show from the outset, but I found it to be a very enjoyable and solid spy show. It had somewhat of a slow start for me and I hope to see more from Meghan Ory's character, who I have a feeling has a lot more to give on this show, but I think I'll be with this series for the long haul, as it has a charismatic leading man in Josh Holloway, an attractive and gifted female lead in Ory, and a good supporting role for Marg Helgenberger.

I look forward to what this show has to offer in future episodes.

Steve Austin meets Sherlock Holmes in a secret agent character (portrayed by Josh Holloway) and his adventures which capture the excitement of the very best of episodic television during its years before the medium became dominated by 'reality show' piffle.

This is a bold attempt at bringing back the kind of series which used to be a consistent ratings winner. This show, with stereotypical casting and solid (but unoriginal) writing touches all the bases adequately showing promise without reaching its full potential in its debut. It will get better via the ground laid by its premiere episode. The first episode is a field-goal. Touchdowns will follow.

Where it may grow tiresome is in the contrived relationship between hero Gabriel and his female partner which appears to be heading in the formulaic direction of so many other shows i.e. sexual tension interspersed with moments of grudging professional admiration and wisecracking camaraderie. Shows feature it because audiences still like it even though a lot of us have seen it so often.

High-minded viewers won't see the human insight of 'Game of Thrones', exploration of class consciousness in 'Downton Abbey' or sophisticated examination of power dynamics of 'the Borgias'. What they will get is a fun show they can watch with their kids.

I really liked the Intelligence pilot but, on the other hand, I also like Nikita, Alias, Covert Affairs, Person of Interest, Numb3rs, Burn Notice, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Arrow, Tomorrow People, The Blacklist, Orphan Black, Torchwood, The Unit, Almost Human, Homeland, 24... basically, all shows about espionage or spies, either as part of the higher level government security agencies (often secret ones) or free agent spies, trying to combat sinister terrorist organizations, corrupt governments and evil multinational corporations, with individuals who frequently have enhanced abilities (knowledge, fighting skills or super powers).

So, this show is right up my alley. But the question isn't if Intelligence is good, it's is it good enough in 2014 to not be canceled? Will the plots and characters be distinctive enough to distinguish this show from many other series that have the same episodic structure and design? And this question just considers spy-oriented shows, this series also has similarities to cop shows like Elementary or even procedural crime series that are basically 60 minute mysteries with, often, a long- arc story tying the season together.

After just seeing the pilot, I like the characters (or, at least, the actors) well enough but for this show to succeed, it will really rely on the talent of the writers and production crew. Espionage shows already demand a great suspension of disbelief because they reside in a world of secrets and lies that are hidden from ordinary citizens. Viewers won't compare Intelligence to life but to other espionage series and whether the world it creates is consistent to the one we have come to know in similar shows.

Right now, besides a likable cast of actors, Intelligence is trying to distinguish itself through the premise that a computer chip implanted in his brain enables the Gabriel Vaughn character to somehow download every fact that exists anywhere online, even behind firewalls and, seemingly on hard drives as well. It's accepting this premise that seems to be the main dividing line in user reviews of whether people like or dislike this show. While visually, it's stunning to watch Gabriel "cyber-render" a scenario, this show will succeed or fail on whether this goes beyond science fiction into fantasy territory. Will viewers buy this?

The other factor is scheduling and Monday nights at 10 pm is a tough time slot with audience-pleaser Castle and the very promising The Blacklist as opposition. It's hard to see the mid-season Intelligence ranking anywhere other than #3 and it would be wise for CBS to move the series to a less competitive night like Wednesdays or, even Friday nights where it will be more likely to develop an audience. I see this program as one that people DVR and may (or may not) ever watch later. While other shows survive being second choice viewing, it's not a good place for a new series to start from.

Personally, I hope the series last more than 10 or 14 episodes and lasts to a second season, hopefully on a different night of the week.

Gabriel Vaughn (Josh Holloway) is a former soldier who gets implanted with a microchip in his brain designed by Dr. Cassidy (John Billingsley). He is now an operative for the US Cyber Command run by Lillian Strand (Marg Helgenberger). She assigns Secret Service agent Riley Neal (Meghan Ory) to guard and protect this new valuable asset.

I want to like this more, but it's reminds me too much of Chuck without the comedy. There is a need for more realism. But it's pretty standard network TV fare. With such a valuable and unique asset, it's unreasonable that they give just one partner to protect him and using the overused tiny female superfighter. It would be much more real to keep Gabriel in an armor command vehicle as he guides a team of special forces. The one big thing in the show is called rendering. Gabriel takes in all the information to project an virtual reality image. It's a passable network TV action show, and I do like Holloway. So I don't mind watching it but I'm not surprised that this midseason replacement got canceled after its half season run.

Please CBS give this show the chance it and the cast deserves. This is a real good action, scifi show with some good humor thrown in.The Actors are really settling in to their roles can't wait for finale Monday. Would love to see it back on after Unforgettable has finale cause we almost lost that too which woulda sucked. Good time slot and shows would compliment each other in my life for years to come. Love CBS shows don't hurt me by removing good shows. You managed to steal Josh Holloway before any one else did Do not give him up.You got Marge back out there. Just like you kept my man who started as a real awesome vampire and is now Hawaii 50 favorite actor Alex O'Loughlin. I REALLY HOPE THIS GETS TO THOSE WHO MATTER AND THEY DO NOT CANCEL!

After reading a very un-intelligent review on here, I'll just say this: The title "intelligence" wasn't about the guy's intelligence, it was about spying and collecting "intelligence" on "bad guys".

It wasn't supposed to be about a super-smart person, it was supposed to be about a person who had access to more data than anyone else, without the need of a computer.

That said, I loved the show. Seems like most of the ones I like get canceled these days...

I would like to know why it was canceled. Was it ratings? If so, was it mid-season ratings...when they only play re-runs? Pretty stupid reason to cancel a show, but it's happened before...

My wife and I sat down and watched the pilot when it originally aired three weeks ago. Both of us were amazed at how far the producers of the show went to get women involved in the action. So much so that it was well beyond the suspension of disbelief. The main's partner is the most glaring example of said offense. Here's the for-instance:

The main is reportedly an awesome agent, one of if not thee best out there. His biggest failing is believing that his wife (presumed dead after turning into a rogue agent) is innocent of the claims against her, and his desire to prove these charges wrong is what fuels him. Bring in his new partner, the open secret is she (Ice Man + Maverick (I know, already an oxymoron) in the form of the first most-bestest woman secret service agent ever) is there to keep the main in-check (read not let him investigate the circumstances involving his wife). The main and Ice-rick get in a tussle with some baddies, a shootout ensues, main seemingly taking care of business, all of a sudden Ice-rick body checks main into some garbage cans so she can put a couple bullets down range, and she gets grazed by a bullet. Show claims partner saved main's life... ugghhh.

The show seems like the Terminator playing Chuck (actually mostly pretty cool), with little buddy (Gilligan) there to get in the way, I mean save the day. The Little Buddy thing is what really got to me and my wife. Ice-Rick is always ready to save the day (heck without her the main would've 'died' 20 minutes into the pilot episode) even when the day doesn't need to be saved. The characters are so one dimensional that they seem to only be there so the show can meet some sort of demographic requirements and to occasionally act as minor plot devices.

I was excited at the premise of the show, "a serious Chuck, awesome", I even thought it would be good to see Josh Holloway as a protagonist, but when I watched it I couldn't help but shudder at the sheer awfulness that this show is.

i know that it has been done before, Jake 2.0 with nano-bots and chuck with the intersect. intelligence is with a micro-chip in the brain, there all similar, but you cannot say this one is poor because the others may be better, chuck is the best out of the 3 yes but this has different and exiting elements, the fight scenes are good, the plot is good, the acting is good, all round in my opinion this is a great show, you've just got to see it like it hasn't been done before and see it for how good it actually is, i think this show deserves a second series and i want to see the romance. once you get into the series, just like any good show you want to continue and see what happens next and i really do hope that what happened to Jake 2.0 does not happen to intelligence, it shouldn't be cancelled and there should be as many seasons as they can think of, for me its 10/10, great TV series. keep them coming. think about it guys if you love chuck or Jake 2.0 this is the closest thing you're going to get because they cancelled Jake 2,0 and they ran out of ideas for chuck.

This show is kind of good. It has all the elements to be a good show but it just doesn't quite get there. It reminds me of that show Jake 2.0. but I enjoyed that show more. I was disappointed when it was cancelled...Intelligence not so much. I could take it or leave it.

There's some great and very talented actors but when you think about it honestly, all the cast are supporting actors not leads. Josh Holloway attempts to carry the show but with limited success and while I love Marg Helgenberger's work in CSI, she hasn't captured my interest with her new role.

If you are yet to start watching this show then give it a miss. You won't regret not watching it as it fades into the past but you potentially may find yourself regretting watching it.

I downloaded the season because it was cheap and ending up liking the show quite a lot. The main draw is likeable Josh Holloway. Not the greatest actor but he has the quality needed to carry a show. He looks good too.

I don't know why people complain about this show. It is an amazing show with lot of potential and great acting. It started out a little slow with the subject of Gabriel and his wife but the episodes are better and better each week, the sparks are coming out. Unfortunately, people now days enjoy only shallow TV shows with romance and no substance. The characters are really interesting and their interaction is becoming more appealing every week, so is the plot and the way that writers put it up together. I also enjoy Riley's character since I honestly miss some strong woman character in the most of the shows and she is more alluring every week. I still have confidence that intelligent people will see how great this show is.

Having just binge watched this show over three days, I am writing this 10 minutes after watching the final episode.

I like the concept, but it is not hard to see why the show was cancelled before the first season finished airing.

It is flat and predictable. We are just along for the ride, knowing at the end of the journey all will be OK. No matter how badly the characters are injured, you just know they will survive and you already know they will complete their mission. Everything just seems to work out for them. So this is one of those shows you put on in the background while you mentally zoom away to other, more important areas of your life. When you come back, you just pick up the story-line with ease.

The American "We are right, always" is a bit overdone and becomes tiresome after three or four episodes.

The father/son scientists were rather irritating. How P.J. Byrne is able to find work is something that has me stumped. His personality in this role is one of a 14 year old boy stuck in a mans body, with his silly jokes that seem to fall flat, and idiotic attempt at intelligent speak whilst jumping and groping the other cast in excitement. Please...

If a second season had come out, I would have invested the time to watch it, though.

I seriously enjoy this show. I love how lovable Gabriel is. I love the chemistry between he and Riley. And I think MH proves she's still one tough lady.

The premise is a stretch - kind of. BUT this is also what makes it so interesting. It *could* happen, and we don't know how far off that reality truly is. However, this shows keeps the humanity and humor that makes it all worthwhile.

The story lines might be a bit predictable, but it is fun to watch and I'm always waiting for the relationship to blossom between hero and heroine. (I love a good strong female lead.) It is a great show that I will really miss if they cancel/don't renew. I always looked forward to it every week.

in the shadow of NSA scandals and the fear of the absolute transparent citizen, this series tries to numb your concerns by showing you how well meant and helpful the absolute access to every information in the world, to one guy can be even, in the hands of an unpredictable, mischievous sawyer guy, as long as he is American. skillfully dodging the questions like: "If he can read data, can he also write or change data, for example on your public record?" nah, not this guy, you can read it in his files. and "if he is a human computer, that can access remotely to every system he wants, why does he still have to do fieldwork? to get a look into your bathroom he only needs to think about it. who would know? nobody is monitoring what he is doing with his head." but nah, not that guy, look into his files. (files do not include facebook profiles btw.)

my next question however is: "when will they find the unusually large mass in his brain next to that constantly radiating chip?"

i liked sawyer in lost, because he fitted into that environment and his constant deceptions brought dynamic into the series. but these characteristics contradict the logic based, inhuman personality, that should be expected from someone who is basically a supercomputer. that is just bad writhing right there. you can't even route for the guy, because everything he knows, comes from a chip in his head and he is so full of him self at times, that you just want to pull out a powerful electromagnet and wipe it all.

do not waste your time is, what I want to say.

Series 1 has just finished over here in the UK and all i can say is WHY is their only 1 series!!! Can't believe CBS has canceled, with such an awesome concept of what current life and technology could achieve. Is this a bad habit of canceling gripping story lines and rather than pouring more into improving what they see the problems being (in my opinion their is none!) and stop showing more TV chat shows and re runs that have been on numerous times and surely not getting any views? Revolution being another example of pure class TV being axed after 3 series and leaving followers completely lost with questions. Personally I'm no longer going to attempt to watch any CBS series anymore after this last disgrace of poor judgment of what should and should not be continued. In short CBS need to rethink a lot of their series decisions and put more into new shows rather than just re-runs.

When I first read the reviews here I really thought this was going to be a waste of my time to watch this series, but after two episodes I am really hooked up! The action scenes are impressive and the stories are really believable, not like some other sci-fi series that just don't feel right. The actors are also really good and the plot gets even better in the second episode. I'm really looking forward for the next episodes! I am glad that I ignored the bad reviews and watched it anyways. I know there are several other "real spy series" out there, but this spy is like how Chuck would be in real life. I highly recommend this series for any spy and sci-fi affictionates like myself!

Wow!!!! Its been a while since I've seen something so coolly done. Its a wonderful storyline... Hope it won't be taken off air...It looks like an interesting plot, The theme is straight to the point. The action is realistic, the graphics are compact and well engineered. The cast is full of energy and vibrancy. I wish production of other episodes can move at a faster rate so that we watch the great act of science. The good about the plot is that it is straight to the point. Not too many curves and subplots. Reminds me of the Series 24 (Jack Bauer) but this one adds a little more in-tel to the terrorists. The characters are realist and they fit the scenario so naturally!! keep up the good work production team.

I enjoyed the premise and I've given it 5 episodes to improve...but from the start, this show had severely poor writing issues. First episode, we are introduced to someone who is supposedly ex-Delta Force. Yet, knowing someone was implanted with a chip like his, he leaves her to "walk away." The other person is supposedly secret service. Constantly they do inanely stupid things and I just watched as this supposed super soldier couldn't take a shot with a sniper rifle (what…never heard of a disconnect shot?) Also, what is with this trend for supposed federal agents just putting their firearms down and allowing themselves to become hostages? What is with this trend on actors not speaking clearly…it is like they all have a lisp or a speech impediment. There are so many things wrong with this show, you would think that the producers would thank God they got even a chance to air mid-season…and blow it with just really crappy story lines. The writers for this show should be replaced immediately, but I think it is probably too late to save the show from cancellation.

I was hoping to enjoy this show, but now, I'll not watch it any longer.