There are some absolutely brilliant TV shows being put out these days. This is in part due to the additional streams of content coming from the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and of course the older TV newcomers like HBO, Showtime, etc.

In some cases, network TV has raised the bar to remain competitive and then there are shows like Ransom where it's just garbage that will inevitably be canceled mid-season or soon thereafter.

I just don't understand how a network like CBS can spend millions of dollars on such a crappy show, especially during a time when the competition for producing great content is so rapidly increasing. You think they would hire better people, people who wouldn't dare release such a weak show.

Now, I've only watched the first episode but it was so bad that there really isn't a reason to keep going. The cast was demographically thrown together, the story was full of holes and unrealistic scenarios, and it's your typical struggle then happy ending fake plastic TV trash that is contributing to the downfall of network TV.

Let's look at the first episode a bit more closely. A new college grad gets rejected from a job with this crisis agency but doesn't take no for an answer. In the lobby of the agency, after being rejected, a kidnapping news story comes up on the TV. She zips over to the kidnapping in a taxi, shows a business card of the crisis agency she took before leaving to the police officer guarding the scene, and he just lets her in. She then casually strolls into the building and into the war room where the hostage negotiation is taking place with nobody questioning her at all. She then puts her two cents in as the negotiator is on the phone with the hostage taker, and nobody says a word or throws her out. You get the drift and the whole episode goes down like this. Stinky, stinky, waste of time rubbish.

It's now just a matter of time before it gets canceled. CBS has failed big time with this show and the fact that they actually released it is a strong indicator that the network is heading further into irrelevance.

If I were to judge a series by the first ten (minutes) I'd get the feeling Ransom is a dumb ed down Hollywood-ized look at criminal negotiation. A young woman, recently graduated and seeking employment, attempts to interject herself into a police hostage situation through the third-party negotiation team hired guns. As if she could just stroll in to a situation controlled by the police we must plant in our mind she is some kind of special. Simply put this couldn't happen and if she did somehow manage to breach the police line the company she seeks employment in would certainly not hire her.

OK, I realize in all of the world hostage situations take on quite diverse flavors. In some places I'm sure independent contractors for hostage resolution probably take the lead, maybe even in place of law enforcement. So I'm being forced to think that in Canada these types take the lead over the law enforcement apparatus that should be in full control. OK again, I'll go for it just to see where it leads. I guess the creators of this show win this one as I'm interested enough to give it some more time.

As we go on the girl seeking employment as a negotiator gets a chance by cornering the head honcho. She continues to give him reason for pause and yet she isn't sidelined, in fact she's immediately hired. This is suppose to be character building I suppose yet it feels completely made for TV and in no way real. Sometimes made for TV is good of course, but this immediately purports to be a reflection of reality and in the first episode I'm not getting it. The A-Team was suppose to be completely out-there, this team shouldn't be. As a viewer I find myself wanting something more rooted in gritty reality. As you can tell I'm not really getting "on board" with this, I guess, uber negotiation team/company who works both within and outside the law. That in itself might be a good premise for a show but whatever that show is it needs to build a much more believable story to work from than I'm getting in this first episode. In the real world this team would likely get everyone killed consistently. So watching episode number two isn't very likely.

I read this was taken from two real hostage negotiators real experiences. If so how come it feels totally made for TV and fake? It'll never make it unless something radically gets more real and more compelling.

Mediocre show with mediocre acting, but that isn't a surprise because ransom can only be about one thing, of course.

Ransom, like Bull(sh**), is yet another attempt to milk the CSI-ish and Criminal-Mind-ish Cow. One would think that producers and writers would acknowledge that this genre is so incredibly 'milked' that one would need to come with something remarkable in order to impress audiences.

I wouldn't really recommend watching this to anybody, unless you have absolutely nothing else to do. It wont impress, it is not captivating rather you will find yourself distracted easily, and if you'd miss 15 minutes of an episode you wont really feel the need to wind back, you'll simply continue as the stories are flat and predictable, characters are shallow and entertainment value lacking.

I like mystery and cop shows. Ransom promised both so it was intriguing to me and I gave it a chance. The way the young college girl got into the first scene without ID was a bit far fetched. The head of the agency is a bit of a James Bond type which is appealing. Beaumont is like Bond in that he is mysterious and well dressed but can handle any altercation! There is a story within a story which I find holds my interest. It looks like this could be stories that are resolved each week which also appeals to me. Complete the problem and story each week and let me move on! I think it will be an entertaining show so I will continue to watch it. If you like the above you will like the show.

Maxine came from no where and went right to #2 REALLY? All the people who worked with him for years ect and they just get pushed away because he has a guilt/emorse because she lost her Mother when he was working with others? PLEASE. NO WAY the team/others stand for that I do not care what you say She is useless in the stories Get RID of her character

Though the way they presented themselves will most likely not happen in real life, the drama is about Eric and his team who work for a private negotiation company. For those who like "Flashpoint" - a Canadian police drama television series that debuted on July 11, 2008 on CTV, it is similar to that drama without the police and the gunfights.

Not a totally bad drama, but could be better. At times, you could feel the adrenaline go through. I like this overall, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

SPOILER Ep 11. Kids get kidnapped because of bullying.

Parents don't know what chat rooms are in 2017. Please. Eric saves the day. Do we need more of this? NO.

So much potential but The producers chose the easy route. The characters are not well developed (At least not enough to bring me back to episode 12 that's for sure)

I have enjoyed both episodes so far, as has the family. This is based on an actual person, like Lie to Me was, as well as Scorpion. I would rank this above Scorpion, which has gotten mundane. Lie to Me is better than this. But, I really like the characters in this show, and look forward to further character development.

The stories are good and are unique when compared to other hostage negotiation shows. The main character uses realistic techniques, so that is a plus. The technology is not realistic, yet, but is entertaining.

If you like Flashpoint, or Bull, or Lie to Me, then you will really like this show.

Looking forward to a possibility of character development as the stories unfold. I enjoyed the characters presented. Also, the possibilities of back story revelations adds intrigue. I can see the possibility of a lot of breadth with this possibilities for plot. The pilot had me wanting to see how diverse the hostage situations will be as this one was unique in its "second level". We saw a beginning taste of only two of the characters in the company. I look forward to meeting the personalities of the other key players. The reason of why no weapons are used when meeting the "bad guys" is expected soon. Also, The back ground of our principals are a good reason to return for future episodes.

I've watched 10 series of the show and think it is captivating and worth seeing. Apart from main line about ransom we learn bit by bit about main characters and boy, do they have juicy secrets. Most episodes have really well-developed plot, all characters are charismatic and interesting. I am waiting for new episodes. Really like it!

Finally: quality network programming - so nice to see a program that is not another cooker cutter NCIS / CSI? Criminal Cookie Cutters / etc, etc.

1.)Stunning sets. 2.)Brilliant plot twists and scripts 3.)Redeemable acting that can only evolve with the scripts 4.)Conceivable back drop story lines that can follow / adjust well. 5.)Sophisticated and psychologically well presented

The problem with this program: it is TOO GOOD to succeed.

One can only hope that it will serve as a spring broad for the cast and crew. They deserve it.

I am enjoying this show. It is good TV and finally something to watch on a Saturday night. Interesting plot, interesting and complex characters, and great intrigue. Hopefully it won't be a one season and done. It is tough to become interested in a good program to then see it end after one or two seasons. Perhaps viewers will give it better marks once the overall plot and the characters develop throughout the season. I am looking forward to see how Beaumont handles the gal who joined the team for a personal motive. I love the CBS line up and this show is a great addition.. I would like to see a little more character development without distracting from the great ransom/abduction story lines. Episode 4 was a step in that direction and the best episode yet. Can't wait to see more.

Dull, poor acting, horrid show. I tried to give it 3 episodes but couldn't complete that!

I am thoroughly enjoying "Ransom". It captures and keeps my attention throughout each episode. The story lines are varied and fresh and depend on intellect rather than brawn and muscle. The interactions between the characters could be more developed but they do form a cohesive team. The acting is on par with other top rated TV shows. I definitely recommend this series.

Another shitty series to watch while you are so bored with your life. Cant believe how much these are coming from US. But who cares about series when your president is messing up every human real thing in this world. Oh 4 lines of truth wasn't enough. just doing what internet movie database wants. Peace.

Just love this new series Ransom. Frank Spotnitz has put a great cast of actors together. They compliment each other. Luke Roberts is excellent in his role. Just love him. Can't wait for next week to see the next show Regeneration. Great to see well dress cast and such great ending. Enjoying every minute of the show from start to finished. Such great scenery also plays a great deal of enjoyment as we wait for the concussion. We also need some love scenes that Eric falls madly in love with someone. We need a little romance once in a while. Hope that we see some in the next few shows. Keep up the great work and keep those showing coming every week.

..it's not there's big things wrong with this series.. there's just not enough to latch on to and look forward to episode after episode.. as there's little, if any story-line carryover week to week.. and what they do present each week although not poorly executed, if you were to miss any of it, there would be no realization much had passed.. would imagine it might be possible they'd try for a second season, but keeping the current script formula in place does not bode well for much more than stretching out another season at most.. but as seen before, there are those have gone several seasons where the exact same might be said.. that's TV series programming today.

What's going on with the poor script on tv shows these days?

It makes this show unwatchable.

The begining was good the writing was better but then the writing got sloppy as the season went on. In the begining no one talked back to Eric as it went on everyone talked back to him on a team this would not work. I could live with most of that but the no gun thing is sooo stupid. The tv show the mentalist had this but in many scenes he relied on his partner's and their guns. There are people who actually do hostage negotiating for a living and none of them do it without a license to carry a gun. Now of course when they go in to certain situation were you would not wear a gun. The problem is having a group deal with violent criminals and doing it unarmed there is no such group. Why ? Someone on that team would be killed there are groups all thru out the middle east and Mexico a lot of foreign countries with high kidnapping rates. In reality there is no group who is 100% successful and there is no group that has not had to deal with violence on their end. I could go on but my point is these shows are suppose to be believable. You want your audience to invest in the characters and to believe this is something that could really happen. If you don't do this they tune the show out this is not and opinion it is a fact/

I was so happy when season 2 of Ransom was announced. The cast is amazing and although the theme of each episode is the same (someone is kidnaped and CrisisResolution led by Eric Beaumont is called in to negotiate) each episode feels unique. It's not the typical drama we see in North America. The writing is clever with the episode story and the series story. I look forward to watching and learning more about each character and seeing how each one relies on the others.

I am fed up with cop series and similar (another one!). Actually I can stand only historical movies. I must admit that I saw Ransom only because I wanted to see more of handsome actor Luke Roberts. I discovered him in "Black Sails", a very entertaining pirates TV series. Most of the actors were brilliant and subtle. But in Ransom, Luke Roberts is not interesting, is not handsome, is not subtle. Conclusion : being handsome is not enough to be a good actor, it must be supported by scenario, character development, light, costumes, etc. Disappointed. Sorry for my poor English.

Très bonne série d'action avec un scénario qui se tiens!

But the first episode of the second season was absolutely awful.

If this does not improve rapidly, it will be cancelled for good.

Engaging characters and story lines but the sound editor needs to be slapped for playing music over dialog so we can't hear it.