Emerald City – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Emerald City

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2017

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Game of Thrones meets Wizard of Oz in this cancelled-after-one-season dark fantasy that critics hated but some viewers inexplicably loved.

38%

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Emerald City

show

TV-14, 2017

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Game of Thrones meets Wizard of Oz in this cancelled-after-one-season dark fantasy that critics hated but some viewers inexplicably loved.

38%

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38%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: NBC tried to capitalize on the Game of Thrones dark fantasy craze by turning the Wizard of Oz into a grim, violent medieval power struggle. Critics absolutely savaged it (38% on Rotten Tomatoes), calling it derivative, confusing, and trying way too hard to be edgy.

But here's the weird part - audiences gave it 78% and a 7.1 on IMDb. So some people clearly connected with it, even if professional reviewers didn't.

The real problem? It was cancelled after one season, so you're signing up for an incomplete story. And the mature content (violence, torture, sex) makes it inappropriate for anyone under 16, despite being based on a children's classic.

Unless your older teen is desperate for dark fantasy and okay with cliffhangers, there are way better shows to invest time in. This is a curiosity at best, a disappointing mess at worst.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (16+) and adults who can handle mature content and won't be bothered by an unfinished story. The Common Sense Media rating of 14 feels young given the graphic violence and sexual content. Definitely not for families or younger teens.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Dark reimagining of Oz with mature themes including violence, torture, and morally ambiguous characters. Critics noted the show's grim tone and adult content that strays far from wholesome family viewing. The series depicts power struggles, betrayal, and brutal medieval-style conflicts that don't model positive cooperation or kindness.

Imaginative

Creative reimagining of the Wizard of Oz mythology with a darker, Game of Thrones-style fantasy world. The show attempts to build an original visual universe with warring kingdoms and fresh takes on classic characters. However, the execution was criticized as derivative and the world-building incomplete, limiting its imaginative impact.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this for 14+ for good reason. The show contains significant violence, torture scenes, sexual content, and dark thematic material. Multiple reviews cite graphic violence, disturbing imagery, and mature sexual situations. This is not content that would be safe for younger viewers or appropriate for unexpected family viewing.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value. While it explores themes of power and identity, the show was criticized for shallow character development and confusing plotting. The 38% critic score and 47 Metacritic indicate poor execution that undermines any meaningful takeaways. It's dark for darkness' sake rather than offering genuine insight or growth opportunities.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

If your teen loved Game of Thrones and wants more dark fantasy, this attempts that vibe with familiar Oz characters reimagined
Visually ambitious with decent production values for network TV
The 78% audience score suggests some viewers found it entertaining despite the critical drubbing
Could spark discussions about how classic stories can be reinterpreted for different audiences

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic violence and torture scenes that go beyond typical network TV
Sexual content and mature themes throughout
The show was cancelled after one season, so there's no resolution - you're investing in a story that never finishes
The 38% critic score isn't just harsh - reviewers cited confusing plots, shallow characters, and trying too hard to be edgy
This is absolutely not the Wizard of Oz you remember - it's dark, grim, and often brutal

Conversation Starters

"How does this version of Dorothy compare to the one you know from the original story?"
"Why do you think they made Oz so dark and violent instead of magical and colorful?"
"What do you think about shows that take classic children's stories and make them for adults?"
"The show got cancelled - do you think it's worth watching something when you know it doesn't have an ending?"

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