SUMMARY: This is an anthology series (each episode is like its own movie at about 90 minutes long) with a new descendant as its feature star and we get an intimate look at this descendant's shadow/dark side and how s/he deals with it, with subtlety and nuance, beauty and family, love and even some surprising comedic affects in episode 2. This is a drama rated MA, with excellent writing, acting, and an underlying theme that ties these descendants' stories together, but we won't know for sure until the series has completed itself this season.

FULL REVIEW:
Many of the 1-3 star reviewers seem to be from people who either 1) didn't read any of the description or watch the trailer and/or 2) are part of a campaign of false reviewers (like perhaps rejected actors who didn't make the final cast? I don't know but it is suspicious that so many negative reviews are *that* helpful.)

-Each episode is actually a mini-movie, a story in and of itself that delves into the life of an alleged descendent of the royal family Romanov. Hence it being an anthology series as described.
-It is rated MA clearly. Any sex scenes were not pornographic and accurately rated as MA.
-It is a drama and the 1st episode was not funny; it was beautiful and subtle but didn't get a laugh from me. The 2nd episode was a drama as well but I did laugh!
-The first episode was set in Paris France and so it had a lot of subtitles and French conversations... the second episode was set in Ohio US and on a cruise, so no subtitles.
-There may be a theme of generational or lineage trauma moving through this series, and so to see the connection, you gotta see the whole series... and since each story is well done, is beautiful in its ugliness in the way that humanity can be cruel, they each stand on their own as a whole.

BOTTOMLINE: Please read the (especially helpful) negative reviews with a grain of salt, and watch this with an open mind, with at least 1.5 hours to spend per episode, when you're in the mood for a deep, intimate, inside look into the dark and perhaps disturbing shadows that run through the Romanov blood line and how they are healed/integrated with love, beauty or some other wonderful surprise.

I loved both episodes. Very sophisticated, polished TV, from the writing to the acting and the loaded subtle takeaways- I really can’t believe how lucky we are to get this kind of entertainment. Yes, I am gushing...
I am genuinely confused by some of the mediocre reviews. I was charmed, amused, felt the bite of the cringeworthy characters that stayed with me long after the show. What more can one ask for? almost as good as reading...

What are they thinking? Are there no artists making movies anymore. Is it just crap in crap out, yet they hyped, or billed this as an actual series with a plot, characters, a storyline. I see nothing to do with the Romanoffs of the early 1900's beyond some unfeeling violent gratuitous scene of mass murder in the first episode. When have we become so unfeeling as human beings that killing men woman and so many children so insensate--this family was shot, bayoneted and clubbed to death in some dark conspiracy by those that play god July 1918. Only to pave way for a socialist Dictator who then killed over 60 million more human beings. I find the whole aristocrat and blue blood farce, just as appalling as kneeling down to another human in white color or turban, appalling. Humans need to get off their knees and after this load of propaganda and gratuitous sex, violence and just dead characters -- all through the show, we need to get off our TV's until someone starts making entertainment, entertaining again. That requires characters you care about, a story with feeling and a moral story to it. Something with some intellectual content. not just old men creeping after little girls -- the age of their grandchildren. It is offensive to my intelligence.

This show raises lots of questions. But wait. It's the same question: WHY.

- Why did the screenwriters think it would be a good idea at all? Why was it necessary to name it 'the Romanovs'?
- Why is it so complicated to hire a professional Russian consultant to ensure no one of your characters by a weird coincidence wears a Cossack hat in 2018 or says 'nazdorovia'? No one says 'nazdorovia' and no one ever said.
- Why anyone can consider a family murder a good opening scene idea? Just imagine it's a Kennedy murder scene with nice leftovers of his brain on a Chanel suit. Repeat each time.
- Why does it look like a lazy girl's school project, including wet dreams? Is is so complicated for an American to research some history of Russian aristocracy in Europe to make the screenplay not so flat and predictable?
- Why a Muslim girl falls in love with this 50-something chubby man and sleeps with him after he offers her a pizza and a ride home?

.... I have 10 more why's but I have go - time to feed my home bear with caviar and play balalaika.

After reading reviews, I was not sure if I should watch The Romanoffs. I have to say I am very glad I did. The story slowly unfolds around you, punctuated by the beautiful scenery and music. The acting is wonderful. I loved all the actors, especially Aaron Eckhart.
It definintely isn't a fast paced show full of action, rather it is a beautiful, engrossing story. Definintely well worth watching!

What is up with some of these reviews? This show, so far, is really good. Both episodes had me very interested. Aaron Eckhart is nowhere near the poor mans Jaime Lannister! He is an excellent actor. I read that review and started laughing. The writing for Game of Thrones is for Jr high kids. It is garbage compared to this. I like the character development for both episodes. There is a sweetness about the first ep and the second is quite compelling at the end. I didn't find the women in either ep to be too young or the relationships to be creepy. I also think that you will find a diverse difference in the relationships coming up. I'm excited to watch the next ones.

Not sure what would make someone think this show is for kids......