SunnyHello Nice effects though.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Myron Clemons A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Tommi Horttana Before watching this show, you should know something I didn't know at the time: This show is entirely for real. If you don't know this, it feels cheesy and clichéd, but knowing that, it's the most genuine and heartfelt reality show I've ever seen.When I watched this for the first time, I was constantly suspicious. I just didn't dare to believe that they really could immerse 12 people in a fantasy world, without directing them, telling them what to say, or filming everything multiple times, and still produce a story as coherent as this. But based on numerous interviews and interactions with the fan community, they really invested in the immersive experience of the participants. The actors weren't there just to play the scenes we see - they were there hours upon hours just to interact with the contestants, talking, improvising, and never breaking character. In fact, many of the scenes we see are not scripted at all, even though they suspiciously feel like that. Oh, and that CGI stuff? Mostly practical effect created on the set for the contestants to gawk at.The contestants (called paladins in the show) truly engage themselves with the fantasy realm and its fate from day one. They take the need to find the One True Hero to heart, and act accordingly, instead of just maximizing their chances of victory. There's hardly any scheming or backstabbing when it comes to the voting, and the paladins compete in a positive and honorable atmosphere. And many of them even look inside themselves and ponder the meaning of heroism, which in my opinion lifts the otherwise cheesy premise to another level. All in all, a very welcome exception to the way reality shows tend to bring out the worst in every person.I'm not saying this show is perfect. As the first season of a show with an untested concept, you can tell they're still finding their way. They took a very straightforward approach to the storyline, the reality aspect with its challenges and votes doesn't always mesh seamlessly with the storytelling, and the comments from the contestants can feel very over the top at times. But all that feels minor in comparison with the sheer positive energy and the simple idea of living in a castle surrounded by living and breathing knights, serfs, and royalty, and working together to save the realm from evil.

nick-07628 I just finished S1 on Netflix last night! What a remarkable show! As the media is inevitably taking over our children's lives...it is imperative that the television content they watch reinforce positive values good morals and lasting life lessons. The Quest delivered on every level in a fun and magical way! Would you rather your child watch a wholesome, feel good and team building series or the latest episode of The Jersey Shore or Housewives of Atlanta? Really hoping these TV networks wise up and allow for positive programming that enriches in a fun way like the Quest. Remember TV 20-30 years ago? It was family oriented with positive undertones, and a prominent take away after each episode. The Quest is the answer to reintroducing a lot of what is missing in today's television! Cheers -

barrynof This is a reality competition set in a "fantasy" situation. One of my main problems with this show was this "fantasy" situation made it seem as though the players can't win. Interviews with the contestants allude to the belief that they feel that they have to "save" the kingdom. It is this kind of contrived situation that I have trouble with. The players are going to play and there will be a winner and the fantasy realm will be saved. That has already been decided. To try to make the viewers believe otherwise is insulting. These kind of interviews were laughable. Quite honestly, the whole fantasy thing was laughable. Ogres, banshees, magic, COME ON! Now, if you want to put these players in medieval garb and have them compete against each other the way knights might have in the middle ages, then okay. To have them interact in a make believe situation and have them perform make believe interviews changes the view of the person watching the show. Either make it fully fantasy or fully reality, but I doubt that would even make this show better. After considering this for some time, I think that the only thing that could make this show better is to have the results of each day more of an unknown. Give the contestants more control of the outcome and the fantasy becomes more real. This makes any interview more realistic.

Joff Brown Everything about The Quest screams love.It is a beautiful show, greater than the sum of its parts; every person involved loved their role in its creation. This was clearly a labor of love for cast, crew, contestants, writers, graphic and sound designers, visual effects artists, makeup, costume, challenge crews and—especially— executive producers. Everyone involved in The Quest clearly enjoyed what they were doing.Touted as a fantasy-based, immersive-reality adventure/competition, The Quest revolved around twelve heroes, summoned by the mystical, ethereal Fates from the real world—Paladins— who pit them against each other as individuals and teams in recurring events and challenges as a means of finding the One True Hero. It is often physically and mentally grueling. The challenges are never easy.The show, like its creators, laud positive qualities while giving consequence to the more selfish, base ones; The Quest promotes the merits of being a better person and striving to improve oneself. There is no cash prize. The reward is the experience and journey.The cast of non-player characters are fantasy-tropes and brilliant because of it. I love Sir Ansgar, the Grand Vizier, Queen Ralia and Crio (the Brave) because of their role in the over-arcing story. The Paladins are immersed in this other-world reality and come up against an ogre, hag, dragon and other monstrous terrors all on the path to a final confrontation with the demonic Verlox. The monsters are incredible—makeup and visual effects are used spectacularly to promote the immersive experience, both for the Paladins and us, the audience.A glorious show; one deserving another season, if not another twelve.