178 reviews
Its detractors mostly fault it for what it's not- it's not your typical doctor-drama and it's not trying to portray a real-life surgeon.
If you judge the show on what it is trying to do- provide 40 minutes of heart-warming entertainment, then I think Rachel Bilson's nice-chick schtick and Lemon's bullying friendship along with great support from the rest of the cast, provides a nice alternative to practically every other TV programme out there.
I love that Hart of Dixie lets you take it with a pinch of salt. I like watching a medically oriented programme that doesn't recycle those ER clichés that every such show from Third Watch to Grey's Anatomy has to hobble through for the plot. 'Get the paddles! clear!', 'he's gone into v-tach', tacky-cardia. I mean gimme a break. I'm sorry but the fake blood, fake body parts, fake killing and murdering all have their place but if a show wants a lighter take on living, outside of Vegas, Miami and LA with fewer guns, more food, flirting, and dating and then what's not to like? I wish them many happy returns.
Hart of Dixie definitely deserves a second and third season as far as I'm concerned. I think the show has plenty of material to explore with relationships, farce & fancy and the fish out of water element. I really hope it gets renewed.
If you judge the show on what it is trying to do- provide 40 minutes of heart-warming entertainment, then I think Rachel Bilson's nice-chick schtick and Lemon's bullying friendship along with great support from the rest of the cast, provides a nice alternative to practically every other TV programme out there.
I love that Hart of Dixie lets you take it with a pinch of salt. I like watching a medically oriented programme that doesn't recycle those ER clichés that every such show from Third Watch to Grey's Anatomy has to hobble through for the plot. 'Get the paddles! clear!', 'he's gone into v-tach', tacky-cardia. I mean gimme a break. I'm sorry but the fake blood, fake body parts, fake killing and murdering all have their place but if a show wants a lighter take on living, outside of Vegas, Miami and LA with fewer guns, more food, flirting, and dating and then what's not to like? I wish them many happy returns.
Hart of Dixie definitely deserves a second and third season as far as I'm concerned. I think the show has plenty of material to explore with relationships, farce & fancy and the fish out of water element. I really hope it gets renewed.
- e_man_7-66-977435
- Mar 8, 2012
- Permalink
I did not have any expectations or hopes for the show and to my surprise I was entertained and actually found the show charming. Some of the people in the story are very exaggerated and cliché like but in some strange way it is part of the charm.
I did not find the main character Zoe Hart very believable as a doctor but that really did not bother me as I found that the personal development of all the characters was more important and relevant to the story and that is part of the charm.
In the first 2-3 episodes, two characters (Wade and Lemon) stood out to me as very irritating until the story develops. Along the way the story starts to unwrap their past, the life they have been colored by and shows what character they really hold but also allows one to understand their behavior. As the story continues those two have slowly become my favorite and I just want to give them a hug, they deserve something good to find it's way to them.
This way of telling the story is central and easy as it grabs hold of once affection for those characters that live in this town and they grow on you. The town has this (Gilmore Girls) Stars Hollow feel to it with all its fun and strange traditions that without a doubt gives the show part of the charm
The acting varies very much depending on the actor but again it does not stands out as much as one might think. The stories are often very sweet and reveal the personalized twist of life.
I did not find the main character Zoe Hart very believable as a doctor but that really did not bother me as I found that the personal development of all the characters was more important and relevant to the story and that is part of the charm.
In the first 2-3 episodes, two characters (Wade and Lemon) stood out to me as very irritating until the story develops. Along the way the story starts to unwrap their past, the life they have been colored by and shows what character they really hold but also allows one to understand their behavior. As the story continues those two have slowly become my favorite and I just want to give them a hug, they deserve something good to find it's way to them.
This way of telling the story is central and easy as it grabs hold of once affection for those characters that live in this town and they grow on you. The town has this (Gilmore Girls) Stars Hollow feel to it with all its fun and strange traditions that without a doubt gives the show part of the charm
The acting varies very much depending on the actor but again it does not stands out as much as one might think. The stories are often very sweet and reveal the personalized twist of life.
What do I expect from this kind of series? - That I come home after a long day and be able to relax, enjoy sometimes maybe a bit cliché story and laugh at the occasional jokes. Do I need a unique story that has never been told before and a superb acting from the protagonists? No. With that being said, Hart of Dixie is THE series for a rainy day. While for someone mediocre, it is better than the majority of soap operas currently on air. I enjoy the distinctive town of Bluebell very much, reminds me so much of Gilmore Girls' Starshollow! The setting has a rather specific atmosphere, feels like living in the 1950s sometimes. Plus, I have always been a fan of underdogs like Wade. Definitely worth giving a try.
- mean-girl-3
- May 14, 2012
- Permalink
- jannamcdowell
- Dec 20, 2015
- Permalink
I am really close to the end of the last season & I really do not want to end my binging on this show. Love it! So light hearted, fun and I really need for it to come back! Love the town, the south & the characters. It really needs to come back to tv!
I don't care what any other critic has to say, I fell in love with this show for many reasons. Times are and we're hard and tragic. Bluebell is the town I truly wished existed. The casting was fantastic. (I agree Linley and Joel were detractors-especially having seen that guy on Dexter. That was a bad choice. So was Linley.)
I've been rewatching the episodes as a form of escape since it ended. Yeah the musical end was campy and funny but unfortunately they knew they had only 10 episodes to wrap. I still escape to the sweet imagery and plot points and humor. COME BACK TO TV!!!!! We need a beautiful escape like Bluebell! A reunion at least.
I didn't find this show until it was on Netflix and I'm sorry that it took so long to find. I love it!!! Its nice to have something lighthearted to watch. Life is already way too stressful why add more. I've already binge watched it three times (my life is full of a little too much reality right now) and I like it more every time. I love the 'love triangle' aspect with the 'under dog' winning. I absolutely love the character Wade. He's deep and caring while coming off as a jerk (in the beginning) but he grows so much throughout the series and Zoe starting off as a New Yorker with a entitled attitude becoming more down home and happy. I have to give props to the person who did the soundtrack for this series. They picked all the perfect songs/music for everything. As I said, I love this show
- phycoder77
- Mar 11, 2017
- Permalink
I love this show! All the characters are trying to find their way in life and often make mistakes due to their insecurities or conceptions of what they are supposed to be (Lemon tries to be the perfect southern belle, Zoe tries to live up to what she thinks her parents want her to be ). I love seeing the variety of ages going through life issues such as seeing Zoe finally realizes that her mom really did try to do what she thought was best for her but has errors in judgment. The scenes between Zoe and her father Ethan hart show his concern for her and insecurities about his place as her father . I love how Wade is always concerned about Zoe but is totally immature and can't admit he loves her. He works to keep up his front that he doesn't care because he is insecure about how people see him as second rate. It is fun and charming. Rachel Bilson is a great Zoe! She is funny and sensitive and a good person..and has her flaws it is ..refreshing. The heat wave episode was hilarious. The dynamic between wade and Zoe makes the show. I am tired of everyone blaming Zoe for ruining this and that..that is getting old. I hope the new shows in 2013 continue to evolve the richness of the characters along with the the humor and southern charm! I'd love to see more of AnnaBeth and see Wade realize his potential.
Don't expect great story and deep thoughts , its very entertaining, the cast have extraordinary chemistry "even better than the cast of friends " , and their acting is very good , regardless of how poor the story and writing is , you will definitely enjoy it
- rayan-nasser
- Dec 27, 2018
- Permalink
Let's get this out of the way: it's not a heavy drama, it's not realistic, it's a bit clichéd. But as a weekly viewing experience: it's lighthearted, fun, charming, entertaining and it works without having to try so hard.
Some characters might annoy some viewers (the southern belle character is pushed to its limits, Rachel Bilson as dizzy surgeon who has to spend 1 year as a general doctor in the middle of nowhere might work as a dizzy new yorker but not totally convince as a surgeon), but I think that the overall charm of the show makes it easy to look past this and enjoy oneself.
People should give this show a shot and see for themselves if they enjoy it or not.
Some characters might annoy some viewers (the southern belle character is pushed to its limits, Rachel Bilson as dizzy surgeon who has to spend 1 year as a general doctor in the middle of nowhere might work as a dizzy new yorker but not totally convince as a surgeon), but I think that the overall charm of the show makes it easy to look past this and enjoy oneself.
People should give this show a shot and see for themselves if they enjoy it or not.
- anna_soeuriste
- Oct 28, 2011
- Permalink
I'm a dude and I still like this. Similar to virgin river but a lighter tone to it. This is an easy 7 and almost 8. Sit back and have fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously but does have some good political and social lessons built in.
- jbelt-453-320800
- Nov 2, 2021
- Permalink
Discovered this show recently and was so sad when I finished the last episode. One of those feel good shows that make you fall in love with the characters and just happy when you watch it. All the characters developed so much throughout the show. Especially Jaime King's acting as Lemon! Would love to see a revival of the show to see where the characters are now in their lives.
- vthao-60104
- May 17, 2020
- Permalink
Season 1 was sweet and fun I watched it back when it originally aired. I could not remember why I never watched the rest of the show and now I know it lost is charm and etc. They seemed to completely change the way some characters act which they can grow but some seemed to have had totall brain swaps.
- single_in_in
- Mar 27, 2019
- Permalink
I only recently discovered Hart of Dixie on Netflix, and while I really like the show itself, I'm just not all that into Zoe! I just binge- watched the first 3 seasons, and the more I watch, the more irritated I get with Zoe! She is an interfering, irritating brat who acts like she's about 15!They almost never show her doing her job, all she seems capable of is interfering with everybody else's lives, and not for the better! They really need to tone her down. And to be honest, I don't think Rachel Bilson is all that great of an actress. She seems to have the same expression and reaction to everything that happens. I know the show is supposed to be about Zoe Hart moving to Alabama, but while the other characters all have some depth to them, Zoe Hart is very one dimensional.
- mistifreudenberg
- Mar 27, 2021
- Permalink
I have to say, I watched the pilot episode for the first time last night and I LOVED IT!!!!!! I thought is was an awesome show and I think that it has set up so many avenues for varying parts of the show. I can't wait to see more and I really hope there are more series of this, I am already addicted to it! I don't understand how someone could not enjoy this show personally. I think that Zoe has been set up for some great learning experiences. I can understand that there are some clichés within the show, but come on! which show doesn't have clichés in it these days? It is a television show and people who want to take it too seriously should go watch a documentary instead. I think that the clichés add to the show myself. I cannot wait to watch the next episode and hope that it comes out on DVD so I can buy it as well.
- josiegabriel
- Sep 6, 2020
- Permalink
It's a world without hate, revenge, diseases, bills are always paid and problems are easy to solve.
Beautiful characters, memorable, diverse, lovable.
Mayor Lavon Hayes, Lemon, the doctor, Wade Kinsale, A. B... And above all, like a petite queen, the charming, bug eyed, so unique Dr. Zoey Hart.
The story sometimes spends too much time following the ever different couples, the copulation becomes an obsession for a moment, but the 4 th season fixes everything.
I wish there was more musical moments, because every song in this show is a gem. The final one melts the heart and says a smiley good bye that makes us cry.
- Tammyrayner
- Oct 3, 2011
- Permalink
- smith1234567
- Dec 20, 2020
- Permalink
- loueysmith
- Jan 30, 2019
- Permalink
Let me start by saying I did enjoy the show.. I found it on Netflix and decided to give it a try. It was nothing but cliched feel-good fluff, but entertaining nonetheless..
The reason for the 7 rating is twofold. First, while Zoe started off adorable and awkward, during later episodes (seasons 3&4) she just became a whiney complainer who always had to have her way. It got to be extremely annoying.
Second, I could not keep track of who was dating whom and who was "in love" with whom.. I mean seriously.. I understand that it's a small town but who would've thought there could be so much partner swapping between so few people?
All in all I'm not sorry I watched it.. It was a mindless, lighthearted, binge worthy show. But that's just my 2 cents.
The reason for the 7 rating is twofold. First, while Zoe started off adorable and awkward, during later episodes (seasons 3&4) she just became a whiney complainer who always had to have her way. It got to be extremely annoying.
Second, I could not keep track of who was dating whom and who was "in love" with whom.. I mean seriously.. I understand that it's a small town but who would've thought there could be so much partner swapping between so few people?
All in all I'm not sorry I watched it.. It was a mindless, lighthearted, binge worthy show. But that's just my 2 cents.
- debble1031
- May 7, 2018
- Permalink
I've gotten though the first half of season 3 so far, and I've enjoyed much of it. It's a good escape. But two things annoy me.
First, the entire series seems to be built on the efforts or apparently good-willed people making stupid moves. There's lying, concealing, manipulation and general lack of consideration that normal people wouldn't do. The whole town is like this. Many times the decisions or actions are based on some sort of strange sense of Southern cultural mores, but more often it's based on less complex motives, like simply being selfish or greedy. This is a good formula for making comedy work, but it gets old for me as a regular strategy for getting laughs...unless you have a single character, like Lucille Ball's, who is the fly in the ointment of everyday life and the rest of the cast plays "straight".
In almost every episode, some character, usually Zoe, ends up apologizing--over and over and over. It's tedious. And it's hard to believe that a person sharp enough to be a cardiac surgeon would be lacking so many simple adult skills. (Although, I must admit that, having grown up in a household of medical people, surgeons are often the most egotistical and self-involved type of medical professionals.)
My second problem is what I consider the "elephant in the room" problem. This is a small Southern town in Alabama, and yet every single character in the town seems to be completely unaware that Alabama culture has been associated with some of the most horrific practices of slavery, Jim Crow laws and other forms of institutionalized racism. It's one thing to portray a town such as this as having gotten over it and found reconciliation; it's another to have the entire town seem to have amnesia that it ever existed. Even the Founder's Day episodes don't address the issue. For instance, when European- American and African-American characters begin to become romantically involved, the problem with their relationship is not their ethnic background. Come ON! What used to be color barriers are crossed constantly in every episode: good. Pretending the barriers never existed a century ago: bad. At least SOMEbody's parochial grandma had to have a problem with this relationship or other aspects of Bluebell's change in racial attitudes over the last 50 years. Willful suspension of disbelief in fiction can only go so far, then it gets awkward.
This willful omission I blame on the creator and writers. It could have been a much better series by occasionally tackling the issue head on, addressing the realities of healing and change and then blending it in with some of the other positive aspects of Southern life that the writing does showcase so well.
First, the entire series seems to be built on the efforts or apparently good-willed people making stupid moves. There's lying, concealing, manipulation and general lack of consideration that normal people wouldn't do. The whole town is like this. Many times the decisions or actions are based on some sort of strange sense of Southern cultural mores, but more often it's based on less complex motives, like simply being selfish or greedy. This is a good formula for making comedy work, but it gets old for me as a regular strategy for getting laughs...unless you have a single character, like Lucille Ball's, who is the fly in the ointment of everyday life and the rest of the cast plays "straight".
In almost every episode, some character, usually Zoe, ends up apologizing--over and over and over. It's tedious. And it's hard to believe that a person sharp enough to be a cardiac surgeon would be lacking so many simple adult skills. (Although, I must admit that, having grown up in a household of medical people, surgeons are often the most egotistical and self-involved type of medical professionals.)
My second problem is what I consider the "elephant in the room" problem. This is a small Southern town in Alabama, and yet every single character in the town seems to be completely unaware that Alabama culture has been associated with some of the most horrific practices of slavery, Jim Crow laws and other forms of institutionalized racism. It's one thing to portray a town such as this as having gotten over it and found reconciliation; it's another to have the entire town seem to have amnesia that it ever existed. Even the Founder's Day episodes don't address the issue. For instance, when European- American and African-American characters begin to become romantically involved, the problem with their relationship is not their ethnic background. Come ON! What used to be color barriers are crossed constantly in every episode: good. Pretending the barriers never existed a century ago: bad. At least SOMEbody's parochial grandma had to have a problem with this relationship or other aspects of Bluebell's change in racial attitudes over the last 50 years. Willful suspension of disbelief in fiction can only go so far, then it gets awkward.
This willful omission I blame on the creator and writers. It could have been a much better series by occasionally tackling the issue head on, addressing the realities of healing and change and then blending it in with some of the other positive aspects of Southern life that the writing does showcase so well.
- bbbutler-37914
- Jun 24, 2016
- Permalink
Tried to watch. Interesting premise done much better in a Michael J. Fox movie titled 'Doc Hollywood.' Rachel Bilson looks cute in her cute little hot pants, but she needs to take a few acting classes! Every line she delivers and every action she takes is indicated and it drives me nuts. Had to stop watching after 5 episodes. Couldn't take the phony. A show like this can be funny and heartfelt AND well-acted at the same time. Rachel, take some acting classes with a great teacher who won't let you get away with indicating...for the sake of growing your career. Soon, the cute will no longer work for you.
Even though this is a comedy, I still have to believe that Zoe is mature enough to have made her way through medical school, an intense internship, and has the intelligence to actually have the potential to be a neurosurgeon. It's really a prerequisite for the character. So far, the character as played by Ms. Bilson falls way short.
Even though this is a comedy, I still have to believe that Zoe is mature enough to have made her way through medical school, an intense internship, and has the intelligence to actually have the potential to be a neurosurgeon. It's really a prerequisite for the character. So far, the character as played by Ms. Bilson falls way short.
- mythmakerjohn-1
- Oct 16, 2012
- Permalink