Sometimes IMDB really makes me question the sanity of some of it's reviewers. Anybody who visited this site and searched this show would see a very low score and probably not bother with it, the kicker is that this is a very, very good show!
Pretty original drama, a few twists and turns, pretty decent casting and decent paced story line to go along with it.
My review is based on the first 2 episodes, I would recommend giving this show a chance, it deserves one, it's a real hidden gem.
46 Reviews
Worth a watch
adam_stouffer15 October 2018
Excellent drama
dialey2 November 2018
Low key, but gripping. Good human interest stories around a murder mystery. Nice to have fresh faces, and down to earth characters instead of the usual Hollywood starlet/beautiful botoxed/face-lifted people. Loved it.
John Carroll Lynch AMAZING
susi-233-68738827 October 2018
This is an emotionally complex landscape encompassing love violence greed compassion and human calamity. The production is gorgeous and utterly "real". Mr. Lynch and cast are truly spectacular throughout the riveting storyline!
WTF is reviewer Sandowl talking about?
lindiebayer6 September 2018
Only two episodes available at the time of this review.
This show is interesting as long as you're not an impatient millennial who wants a simple slasher/thriller. It has details. And a plot. And characters that have more than one layer. All good things, in my opinion.
I have no clue what an earlier reviewer was spouting about a bashed dog. Didn't happen. Unless the idiot got so mad about the storyline that he went out and killed his own dog. Or maybe he has access to later episodes and the killing he described has yet to happen, but the rest of his review sounded like he'd only seen the first episode. As I said, no clue.
Worth watching.
This show is interesting as long as you're not an impatient millennial who wants a simple slasher/thriller. It has details. And a plot. And characters that have more than one layer. All good things, in my opinion.
I have no clue what an earlier reviewer was spouting about a bashed dog. Didn't happen. Unless the idiot got so mad about the storyline that he went out and killed his own dog. Or maybe he has access to later episodes and the killing he described has yet to happen, but the rest of his review sounded like he'd only seen the first episode. As I said, no clue.
Worth watching.
Really good
Headturner114 April 2020
This is the second made foe CBS Show I've watched( the other was interrogation) which was also really good. I was really surprised by these. Great story, direction , Dialogue, acting. Really liked this and the story. I got worried when there was only 2 episodes left they weren't going to wrap it up but they did and did so nicely which probably means no second series. I would have liked that as I really liked most of the characters which is rare. I usually watch UK series but this was one heck of a series. I totally recommend.
Boring
leahmaines3 September 2018
IGNORE THE LOW SCORE - UNDERATED GEM
maha1231 November 2018
Despite it's low review, I went with my better judgement and decided to watch One Dollar as the storyline intrigued me. I'm so glad I did as It's one of the better shows I've watched this year. From the start the viewer knows a crime has occured but wonderful writing allows multi character storylines to develop in a way that the crime itself becomes the backdrop and it's the personal stories of individuals that are the focus of the show. This can only be accomplished by great acting and original storytelling. Thoroughly deserves a better score than it currently has.
It's pretty good, it did it's best
saphira_dragon-8027011 August 2021
The series started with a mildly interesting first episode, but as the rest of the cast slowly got their airtime, my hopes started to dwindle.
omp-744-58855818 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The story/back story of most characters is not at all believable. For example, the feminine male police chief is not at all "interesting," the bad guy/good guy that seems like he is on the verge of stress-crying (is he doing that on purpose?) every time things don't go right. Then you have the obligatory KKK/white supremacists (the staple of most shows these days) that aren't very convincing. And they don't have to be, they just have to be present to remind everyone that "they" are out there. Then there is a first-grade teacher in her 60s, teaching all of her life, who swats a hyperactive kid in the rear, one she has taught for at least a year, after she gets frustrated that he won't sit down and listen. First time in her career and she is so disturbed that she talks about retiring. But, the kid is black so we must now talk about "unconscious bias." (This same kid that ran up and hugged her earlier in the episode and got a warm welcome from the father.) I'm thinking, if she swatted him because she is unconsciously racist, wouldn't she have been swatting kids her whole career? Or, is this really the first black and/or hyperactive child she's come across? Come on man.
And the previews for episode four only confirmed the show will soon be doing the same old SJW/PC shuffle many other (now canceled) shows have done. They are getting smarter with the propaganda, though, because at least they waited until the third episode to sneak it in.So-so, ok start instantly eroded by SJW/PC tripe.
And the previews for episode four only confirmed the show will soon be doing the same old SJW/PC shuffle many other (now canceled) shows have done. They are getting smarter with the propaganda, though, because at least they waited until the third episode to sneak it in.So-so, ok start instantly eroded by SJW/PC tripe.
Fantastic Drama
bhakti-637282 November 2018
A really well done series that captures not only the feel of post-recession middle America, but also weaves the lives of disparate characters together in a seamless story. It's a morality tale for our age, where good and evil are perhaps more complicated, but they are still there. Some of the episodes stray a bit far from the overall theme of the series, but they are certainly fun. Very well written , acted and directed. Up there with some of the best series being produced today.
Intriguing and well paced
DroxineArdana6 November 2018
I really enjoyed this show as I found it well written with some great characters to follow. The pacing and mystery reminds me of Twin Peaks and Sturgill Simpson as furniture thief Ken Fry is awesome! I will say that the series lulls at points and the lead actor who works at the factory is pretty weak. However it's strength is it's pacing, intrigue and ensemble cast. Worth a watch
I heard it was a great show...
ronn21412 February 2023
I am on episode 7 and I still don't know what the series is about. It's called "One Dollar" because it shows a particular marked one dollar bill as it goes from one person to another. The only thing I see is as the dollar goes to another person, we get a view into their lives. SO?
The story gives us a backstory of several characters but so far nothing makes a lot of sense. We learn bits and pieces of the lives of the characters but again, SO WHAT?
The reviews are outstanding which is why I decided to watch it but TBH, I'm not seeing it. There are moments that are entertaining but after 7 episodes, it's a boring show.
The story gives us a backstory of several characters but so far nothing makes a lot of sense. We learn bits and pieces of the lives of the characters but again, SO WHAT?
The reviews are outstanding which is why I decided to watch it but TBH, I'm not seeing it. There are moments that are entertaining but after 7 episodes, it's a boring show.
Innovative show
jonbergerdrums4 September 2018
I love one Dollar
World class cast
They managed to introduce many characters at once and small story lines
Yet with clarity .
They also Did not put an ending on episode one Left me clinging on until next week
I can not wait
Compelling mystery - No animals are hurt, killed in this show
rdphillips-1186619 September 2018
A mystery that doesn't follow the usual set-up, but it is very engaging and is well-paced. I have to concur with the other reviewer confused by another reviewer's statement that a dog is killed in this show. That person is not confused, they are outright lying. The dog in question is not hurt or even threatened and certainly not killed. I have no idea why someone would make something up, if only to dissuade potential viewers from checking out a show he didn't like.
Entertaining (mostly)
jpolywog-523548 December 2018
I think I enjoyed this. I am not really sure...I didn't rush to catch the next episode but neither did I place it on my 'must come back to it sometime' list. Overall the acting was good apart from some annoying characters who kept popping up. The storyline had real promise but the expectation was perhaps more fulfilling than the reality. As I said at the beginning of my comments I think I enjoyed it. Perhaps more than I should have.
A very good TV Series
vladpana17-210-6281641 January 2019
This was truly only worth a Dollar!
fmatt-889803 August 2021
This 10 episode saga was intended to run on CBS for more than the episodes now trapped in limbo on Paramount + but that is where it should stay.
While Director Craig Zobel does a credible job holding things together with a cast composed entirely of C-class actors, there were moments when the back-stories were interesting.
Unfortunately there wasn't a decent hero in the bunch. And then there is the con-men and woman angle written into the last two episodes that the writers put in at the last minute in case they were renewed.
An attempt at relevance was added in episode 10 by having the characters mouth words concerning sexism and racism. Too late!
The production team should have planned for one limited season, because that is all this dull mess deserved.
While Director Craig Zobel does a credible job holding things together with a cast composed entirely of C-class actors, there were moments when the back-stories were interesting.
Unfortunately there wasn't a decent hero in the bunch. And then there is the con-men and woman angle written into the last two episodes that the writers put in at the last minute in case they were renewed.
An attempt at relevance was added in episode 10 by having the characters mouth words concerning sexism and racism. Too late!
The production team should have planned for one limited season, because that is all this dull mess deserved.
Strong start, promising premise
mischiefmusical3 September 2018
Though I'm still getting used to streaming services that release episodes each week (instead of by season like Netflix, or weekly on air like cable), CBS All Access is making it worthwhile so far with One Dollar. I originally subscribed to watch Big Brother without a cable subscription but decided to give this new show a try when it premiered in late August.
It's gritty, but not disturbing in the same way Law and Order or CSI can be. You're not seeing anything too graphic. I like the depiction of the small town dynamics so far, with the clear distinction of how money separates the two sides of town. The cast of characters is very interesting so far, and they each seem to have their own underhanded dealings that we'll see more of in the rest of the season.
I saw someone else's review about an incident involving the dog, and without spoiling things, I just want to say that since they admittedly turned the show off at that point, they entirely misread what happened and missed the entire plot! The dog is fine, as is the (adorable) toddler. The single dad character is creepy, but they're doing a good job to show that he'll do whatever it takes to provide for his daughter, which I like.
Overall, I really like it so far! Lots of promise.
It's gritty, but not disturbing in the same way Law and Order or CSI can be. You're not seeing anything too graphic. I like the depiction of the small town dynamics so far, with the clear distinction of how money separates the two sides of town. The cast of characters is very interesting so far, and they each seem to have their own underhanded dealings that we'll see more of in the rest of the season.
I saw someone else's review about an incident involving the dog, and without spoiling things, I just want to say that since they admittedly turned the show off at that point, they entirely misread what happened and missed the entire plot! The dog is fine, as is the (adorable) toddler. The single dad character is creepy, but they're doing a good job to show that he'll do whatever it takes to provide for his daughter, which I like.
Overall, I really like it so far! Lots of promise.
Really, Really wanted to like it
sanclan9 November 2018
The production was very good, with good acting, directing, and all of that. I waited and watched the whole series prior to providing this review, unlike everyone else on here who provided reviews after one or two episodes.
I started my review like that because the story is just worthless. There is no good reason for it and so many holes, along with just silly sections that cannot and were not explained by normal reason or thought. Things that they just don't go back to and things that were just cheesy.
The storyline was extremely slow and unsatisfying with nothing good coming out of it. A pure waste of time, unless you just want to see decent characters with good acting and a decent production.
I started my review like that because the story is just worthless. There is no good reason for it and so many holes, along with just silly sections that cannot and were not explained by normal reason or thought. Things that they just don't go back to and things that were just cheesy.
The storyline was extremely slow and unsatisfying with nothing good coming out of it. A pure waste of time, unless you just want to see decent characters with good acting and a decent production.
Great Show!!!!
watlas-1938811 September 2018
One Dollar is my favorite thing to watch right now. Everything from the writing, to the acting, to the directing is executed beautifully. The show also does a fantastic job of dealing with race and class issues, which makes it all the more timely and engaging. I love the setting (a Rust Belt steel down in Pennsylvania) and both the characters and the locale feel truly authentic. For anyone who enjoys gritty suspenseful dramas with an aura of mystery, this is the show for you. In fact, I recommend this show to anyone who enjoys first rate entertainment. I can't say enough good things.
Captivating
webbedfeetharleybabe-792-1834582 November 2018
Get. To. The. Point. Already.
stuart-788-6707044 March 2023
Fantastic show to put on any device which puts off an exorbitant amount of blue light...your body will IMMEDIATELY ignore the light & be overpowered by the series, all but guaranteeing you your best sleep in minutes. :)
Fantastic show to put on any device which puts off an exorbitant amount of blue light...your body will IMMEDIATELY ignore the light & be overpowered by the series, all but guaranteeing you your best sleep in minutes. :)
Fantastic show to put on any device which puts off an exorbitant amount of blue light...your body will IMMEDIATELY ignore the light & be overpowered by the series, all but guaranteeing you your best sleep in minutes. :)
Fantastic show to put on any device which puts off an exorbitant amount of blue light...your body will IMMEDIATELY ignore the light & be overpowered by the series, all but guaranteeing you your best sleep in minutes. :)
Fantastic show to put on any device which puts off an exorbitant amount of blue light...your body will IMMEDIATELY ignore the light & be overpowered by the series, all but guaranteeing you your best sleep in minutes. :)
Excellent and unique character-driven crime procedural!
shane11813 August 2021
This is fantastic! If I had only watched the first half of the pilot episode I wouldn't have kept going, but the murders got me interested and I'm so glad I didn't stop. I ended up binging the whole series in a day because I wanted to know what happened next. Following "the dollar" was fun, too!
The story moves at a slow, but consistent pace like floating down a meandering lazy river that allows you the time to take in all the sites, sounds and smells as you move on by. I really felt like I got to know the town and it's inhabitants very well. I was only left with a few unanswered questions at the end and they were minor. Should it have picked up a second season, maybe those would have been addressed? The main story does resolve nicely and makes sense in a way that I didn't see coming.
This is an underrated gem! I definitely recommend this if you like character dramas with excellent cinematography. In a time when murder mystery/crime procedural shows have been done to death, this one feels fresh and unique. I just loved it!
The story moves at a slow, but consistent pace like floating down a meandering lazy river that allows you the time to take in all the sites, sounds and smells as you move on by. I really felt like I got to know the town and it's inhabitants very well. I was only left with a few unanswered questions at the end and they were minor. Should it have picked up a second season, maybe those would have been addressed? The main story does resolve nicely and makes sense in a way that I didn't see coming.
This is an underrated gem! I definitely recommend this if you like character dramas with excellent cinematography. In a time when murder mystery/crime procedural shows have been done to death, this one feels fresh and unique. I just loved it!
Excellent
lectureral3 November 2018
Having now watched the whole show I can confirm that the reviewer "Sandowl" is either confused or malevolent - in any case there is no bashing of dogs, not even a hint of such. Just nonsense.
The show is v well acted, has a strong story line and some great characters. It should be running well above 7.0 in the ratings. Not quite sure why it isn't. Maybe not enough action or too reflective for some viewers.
Anybody who enjoys a good story and some great acting should watch this.
The show is v well acted, has a strong story line and some great characters. It should be running well above 7.0 in the ratings. Not quite sure why it isn't. Maybe not enough action or too reflective for some viewers.
Anybody who enjoys a good story and some great acting should watch this.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
