User reviews

I watched this last night with the Mrs, she really isn't into hi-tech x-cop tries putting world to right TV shows but this she even said was good, that is a big plus. Let's face it, if you love geeky and plenty of car action then this has it all, plus the graphics are really good, the blond is also worth watching! Reading the reviews as I do, I think you are over watching looking for perfection, the fact the critics gave this a bench mark of 7 is quite high for this type of TV shows. As I say, I'd give this a chance, but then I liked the new Knight Rider and that was axed after first series, yet, series like Law & Order go on for decades. Lets just say, The Player was to me, amusing with a twist.

Where I was glad to see Phillip Winchester from Strike Back in a new role, I did not want it to be the same role. Philip Winchester as Alex Kane is very plausible, after all the military's of the world are adopting a Special Operations model. Why him, why doing what he does. In the last few minutes you get a quick wrapper of why he left his old life, and what made him "a better man". Hopefully we will get to see more of his old life surface as the season progresses.

The concept of using big data to predict or identify future crimes has been used in many shows. I did like that they did not make it see the future, only predict the potential outcome. We do that now with Predictive Analytic's and Algorithms, so not to far from truth on this...just they have better data.

The setting in Vegas has a lot of combinations of locations, and can mix and match for a few seasons....example Las Vegas the TV show. So this could stay interesting for a while.

So the potential is there, but the key will be keeping the story line fresh, introducing some actual bad guys that are real, and not having the same outcome every time. What could kill this show is the drama about Jenny, if they spend all the time focusing on vengeance, this this will be a short lived program. We need a hero that we can believe in, one that bleeds, one that can fall down and get up, one that can smile and tell a joke.

Take a play book from Strike Back, mix it up. I look forward to seeing how this show evolves and if the writers can keep us engaged.

In reading other reviews, I find it laughable that someone would assert that the theme of the show is confusing. It is not confusing -- Wesley Snipes portrays a very powerful and rich bookie for the wealthiest gamblers throughout the world who enjoy outside-the-box and extremely challenging life-and-death betting. Snipes sets up and manages the bets. He and his female colleague also have the high-tech world plugged into their system, including surveillance cameras and hacked computer systems world-wide. But Wesley and his assistant need a player to insert into the high-risk gambling scenarios that they set up, so that the bettors can bet against the house, meaning against the player being successful in the waging scenario, or they can bet on the player being successful. The scenarios involve pitting the Player against criminals, and sophisticated criminals at that. Back-storied into this not-too-confusing premise for the series is the manipulation, to what extent we do not yet know, of the person set up to be The Player, which included what appeared to involve the murder of his wife, but then doubts arise about that, and precisely what the Manager (Snipes) may or may not have had to do with it, not to mention some as-yet-unknown prior association between Snipe's assistant and a woman who looks like the wife of the man who does in fact becomes Snipe's Player. All of this is centered in Las Vegas, gambling capital of the western world, so it is perfect. The imagination behind the concept, together with terrific actors, and Wesley Snipes here is superbly and impeccably ward robed as straight out of Esquire magazine, added to the large-scale stunts that you usually only see in theatrical movies, makes this a very interesting and enjoyable worth-watching television program.

It's a fun show to watch, like someone said, it doesn't require much concentration. It's glossy, action-packed and entertaining, what I like, an hour of escapism. Of course, some of it is over the top, but that goes for most of the Broadcast network shows because they have ad revenues to build shows around. It's not House of Cards, Orphan Black, or Ray Donovan, but it is a fun show with a different plot twist that I find refreshing! I hope it's not canceled, but I no longer invest in shows lasting after Boss and Magic City were canceled. I will enjoy one season if that's it (really don't watch too much broadcast network programming). The networks should allow a show time to find it's pace, ideal time-slot and reworks, but that's not happening in our microwavable world. This is another reason writers create such awful plots or go over-the-top (i.e., Oil and Blood), they're working against time constraints, the first three episodes better seal the deal! Fingers crossed for a season 2 of The Player!

This is a GREAT SHOW I love it. Great story line with lots of action an the little hint of comedy is great, there's not a boring moment and it is great to see Wesley in a major role again he is a great actor. The Cast have a great chemistry on screen and I really hope that this show is not being replacing I would be very disappointed if it is canceled, there are enough cop shows on air already. This show is a refreshing change. I think NBC need to give the show a chance. It is in a competitive time slot. I think if given a chance the rating will increase even more. I am a loyal viewer of the show and will continue to watch.

I had high hopes for The Player and like Philip Winchester in Strike Back. There aren't a lot of action shows any more and this looked like it could be really good.

The premise and implementation, too be honest, are beyond unbelievable. I mean, a good script and acting can make you believe there really are zombies, this just seemed fake.

I will watch a few more episodes, but I can't see this show lasting. To be honest, I am surprised it ever made it on the air. That being said, the action was good and the acting was pretty good. The plot line and writing brought it down.

Only one episode, so not much to go by, and I'm not quite sure what to think of it. It was fast paced, up to the point that I still find myself thinking "How is it they work out who's gonna commit a crime?" It does indeed remind of Person of Interest. The Wesley Snipes and the girl character are too comic book like for my taste. I don't like their acting much either, because it's so comic- book like. At some point I almost expected the Joker to turn up. Snipes' hair is ridiculous, I think he should've paid heed when Ace Ventura said "No one messes with the do!" But I suppose they wanted it in style with the over the top comic-book style (that I really truly hate!). So far I like Winchester's acting best, although the American accent is odd. Seriously not sure if Philip Winchester made a wise choice with this, and surely he must have had lots of options after doing an excellent job on a great series like Strike Back.

I'm not keen on the flashing during action scenes. I was afraid of that, having scene it in the trailer. I think it's rather inconsiderate to not think of people with head injuries, epilepsy, whiplash and HSPs (Highly Sensitive Person) that cannot watch such scenes. It's done a lot in movies and series, I suppose it's goes down well with many, but what's the point during an action scene? There is none. Just really annoying and not watchable when you suffer from above mentioned ailments (I got all 4, ain't I a lucky girl!)

There are some interesting things in it though, like what Kane discovers about his deceased wife. I think I'll watch another episode and see how it develops. It could pick up and it could wither before the season's over. As I see it, odds are 50-50.

11 minutes in it was beyond obvious the writing was ludicrous. Key plot points are forced upon viewers even though they make no sense and no reasons are given for viewers to create suspension of disbelief.

35 minutes in it was clear the plot is Person of Interest (CBS) rewritten by a Michael Bay want-to-be while high. So very unoriginal.

The acting and direction are fine, but the writing is SO bad I cannot imagine this making past half a season without major changes. And there doesn't seem to be any reason for such poor writing. The premise is a little far-fetched, but functional.

I'm mostly confused by why NBC programming executives can't see "Dead On Arrival" stamped all over this. There may be a market for this, currently paired with the new Heroes show and counter programmed against ABC's Shonda Rhimes-fest for women, but I don't think that viewers will hang around long enough.

Alex Kane (Philip Winchester) is a security expert working in Las Vegas. He reconnects with his ex-wife Ginny and she gets killed. He's recruited into a powerful secret organization called the House. Isaiah Johnson (Wesley Snipes) is the mercurial pit boss and Cassandra King (Charity Wakefield) is the dealer. Its members are the world's richest and most degenerate gamblers betting on games of life and death. Police detective Cal Brown (Damon Gupton) is investigating.

It's a really convoluted premise. It could either embrace the ridiculous premise or try to make it more believable. I don't think it achieves either. I like the trio of Winchester, Wakefield and Snipes. It's got some good action but it is essentially empty calories TV. It's canceled after its 9 episodes run.

OK...The premise of this new TV-series is very confusing in its ludicrous simplicity: Since ...ever, rich (!) people have an organization of some sort which monitors every communication available (phones, cameras, email, the works!). Because of that it can predict ...crimes (a la Person of Interest). They have top agents of the arrogant type and mambo jumbo technology. BUT they don't do anything to protect the victims of the crime. Instead the "rich" people ..gamble (!) and play bets for the outcome between the criminal and some guy that the organization is helping against the criminal!

Confused?

The premise is totally ridiculous and combines a million elements all ready seen in a gazillion other TV-series and movies. To top all that the hero (ex-FBI and maverick-type) has his wife (how original) murdered so ...he is out for Justice!

OK. Plot is bad. How it works in terms of entertainment? Is it fun to watch? Well, so-so. Is a mixed bug in this department too. In the first 5 min. of the pilot you get some James Bond attitude, a tongue-in-chick kind of thing, then it takes a dramatic turn, then becomes a revenge plot, then you get the ...top-secret-organization of the world (common writers. enough with that sh*t) which is ridiculous by self and in between the usual shooting and kicking.

The main actor (Philip Winchester) is unsympathetic and forgettable with no charisma at all. His know-it-all partner (Charity Wakefield) boring and the rest of the cast unremarkable.

Wesley Snipes is also here. I hope this time he paid his taxes because I don't think that this series will last long!!! .

Call me a nut case if you want. I'd LOVE this series if it weren't for the way Alex carries his handgun during the 'action' shoot-out! I can't stand the 2 handed, 45 degree (semi-gangsta?), 12 inches from the face! Don't pull that trigger in the real world!! If the recoil or hot shell casing doesn't get you, the blowback will! Blowback- remember GSR? Gun Shot Residue! along with very hot gases. Believing that someone is going to (accurately)get off more than one shot firing a semi-auto from around 1 foot in front of the face is laughable! Oops, maybe I should notice if he is wearing safety glasses! But still, that 45 degree 2 handed hold. How long would you watch a series where a 17 yr old in a 1970's station wagon wins a race against a formula 1 car? Guess I'll switch to CBS after football season. As long as it's not some 'reality' show.

Best episode yet! The story and cinematography struck the right notes of creepy and suspenseful, while developing characters we care about. We loved the scenery and special artwork in this episode. Can't wait to see it on-demand and examine the collection of artifacts in detail. The guest actor was perfect! So was his makeup. For cryin' out loud, can we please have a scene where Wesley Snipes takes off his shirt? It's been many years since New Jack City, but he's still got it! Looking forward to next week's episode. We watch in real-time and then watch again on-demand during the week to freeze-frame all the high tech gadgets and enjoy the location shooting. We are loyal fans of the show.

After watching the first three episodes of "The Player", I have mixed feelings about this action show that feels like "Person of Interest" meets "Minority Report".

The premise of the show feels a little contrived. The protagonist, Alex Kane (Philip Winchester), is a security expert whose ex-wife, Ginny, is murdered under suspicious circumstances. When offered a job by a shady character named Mr. Johnson (Wesley Snipes) that requires him to illegally take out people who will theoretically commit crimes, he accepts, mostly because he thinks Johnson might lead him to the truth about his ex-wife's demise. Johnson explains that a club of ultra-rich gamblers will bet on the competition between Alex and the bad guys. And they will provide support in the form of a super computer and the resources of Cassandra King (Charity Wakefield).

The show's story lines feel sloppy, with the viewer required to accept a plethora of convenient occurrences. Also, the computer has abilities that can only be described as supernatural.

On the other hand, the action sequences are good, mostly due to great stunt work. I consider this show a guilty pleasure, but it would be better to say that there is room for improvement. Also, Cassandra is an interesting character with much potential. Hopefully, Ms. Wakefield can find a way to make her even more compelling.

This show simply needs to be on Showtime / Starz or HBO to really make it 100%. I think it has potential but not for the NBC crowd.

If you like Action you will like this show. Interesting concept, likable characters set in a world of underground crime elements that could be plausible. Sure it's not realistic but it is interesting entertainment.

The plot is a interesting what if of can crime be gambled on.

Elements of good tactical gun work.

Good physical hand to hand skills.

Some tech mixed in with gun play and car chases suggests how our everyday tech can be used against us or for us.

Overall a fun to watch mini series.

episode 3 men with a hole in the head in his home (the explosives guy) all OK but then the camera approaches and you see the guy is breathing!!!??? i don't know how this happens in television/cinema nowadays with so much technology and so good cameramen, producers, etc... i cant believe when i saw it but 2 or 3 seconds later i was laughing about all this and have the idea that the guys that shoot this may be replaced by a friend of mine that for sure can make a way better job with half of the budget or less, in short i guess this series is based on the series "Person of Interest"... but you can see that it is miles away of being at the feet of POI, and so it kinda sucks.My suggestion.....someone got to get fired...

Man this show had potential, but it HAD to get cancelled..... UGH I really liked it, the chemistry between Cassandra and Alex is what I fell in love with. I remember the ending and liking it, but cant recall if it was a cliffhanger or open ended ending.

If the production company had been more supportive of residents' needs, maybe there would not have been a concerted effort to boycott this show, originally filmed as "Endgame." As it was though, the company caused so many dangerous problems to citizens in March of 2015 that their business was not wanted by the average citizen and the effort to close production by boycotting episodes took place.