Home > Hostages > Season 1 « TV Series Page Hostages: Season 1 (2013 - 2014) Want to see Episode List Season 1 Hostages Critics Consensus Hostages has an intriguing premise and handsome production values, but its twisty plot sometimes strains credulity. 56% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 43 67% Audience Score User Ratings: 83 NEW More Info × Close Want to see Super Reviewer Submit Super Reviewer Edit Review Episodes 1 Pilot Air date: Sep 23, 2013 A deadly cat-and-mouse game between a surgeon and a rogue FBI agent begins. In the opener, Dr. Ellen Sanders is selected to operate on the U.S. president but armed intruders take her family hostage and demand that she kill him during surgery or they will murder her family. More 2 Invisible Leash Air date: Sep 30, 2013 Duncan promises to kill a member of Ellen's family when she refuses to assassinate the president during surgery. Duncan also informs the family to go about their normal lives for the next two weeks until the commander in chief's operation. More 3 Power of Persuasion Air date: Oct 7, 2013 Duncan threatens Ellen that if she doesn't convince the president to keep her on as his surgeon that there will be severe consequences. Meanwhile, Ellen meets Duncan's daughter and gains insight into his life. More 4 2:45 PM Air date: Oct 14, 2013 Israeli thriller serial. The Danon family and the kidnappers are surprised when a soldier turns up at the front door, except for Noa, who has been keeping secrets from the rest of the family. (In Hebrew with English subtitles) More 5 Truth and Consequences Air date: Oct 21, 2013 Ellen makes a life-changing choice when she performs emergency surgery at home. Meanwhile, Duncan demands answers when Archer tells him that an innocent person in their plan has become a victim. More 6 Sister's Keeper Air date: Oct 28, 2013 Ellen's sister visits unexpectedly and Duncan forces Ellen to get rid of her without making it look suspicious. Later, Ellen is called in for questioning by the secret service and must play it cool because Duncan is there to help with the questioning. More 7 Hail Mary Air date: Nov 4, 2013 Ellen and Brian plot to take down Duncan. Meanwhile, Archer's accomplice plans to reveal to the ADA information about a murder Archer committed. More 8 The Good Reason Air date: Nov 11, 2013 Ellen must decide whether to save Duncan's life and confront his wife. Meanwhile, Creasy meets with Vanessa and Col. Blair after the president informs them that he wants to expose a government surveillance program that allowed spying on U.S. citizens. More 9 Loose Ends Air date: Nov 18, 2013 Duncan is ordered by someone closely connected to the plot to get rid of an insider when investigators get closer to discovering the conspiracy to kill the president. Meanwhile, Duncan takes the next step in his master plan, and gives Ellen the poison she is to use to kill the commander in chief. More 10 Burden of Truth Air date: Nov 25, 2013 When a member of the president's staff is murdered, Ellen urges Duncan to end the assassination plot. She also searches Nina's medical records and finds someone who may be a viable bone-marrow donor. More Show More Episodes Hostages: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (5) Tv Season Info A deadly cat-and-mouse game between a world-renowned surgeon and a rogue FBI agent begins in Series 1 of this high-octane suspense thriller. Dr. Ellen Sanders (Toni Collette), a respected Washington, D.C., surgeon is selected to operate on U.S. president Paul Kincaid (James Naughton). But the day before the surgery armed intruders, led by FBI agent Duncan Carlisle (Dylan McDermott), take her family hostage and demand that she kill Kincaid during surgery or they will murder her husband, son and daughter. To buy some time, Ellen slips the president some blood thinner which causes the procedure to be postponed for two weeks. As Duncan and his gun-toting allies hold the Sanders family hostage until the assassination can take place, dark secrets begin to spill out and it becomes clear that Duncan is taking orders from someone higher up and that the conspiracy is much bigger than anyone could imagine. Genre: Network: CBS Premiere Date: Sep 23, 2013 Creators: Omri Givon, Rotem Shamir Exec. Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, Omri Givon Cast Toni Collette as Ellen Sanders Dylan McDermott as Duncan Carlisle Tate Donovan as Brian Sanders Sandrine Holt as Sandrine Gonzales Rhys Coiro as Kramer Delaney Quinn Shephard as Morgan Sanders Billy Brown as Archer Petit Mateus Ward as Jake Sanders James Naughton as President Kincaid Larry Pine as Burton Delaney Jim True-Frost as Logan Jeremy Bobb as Quentin Creasy Lola Cook as Sawyer Paul Calderon as Stan Hoffman Hilarie Burton as Samantha Joanne Kelly as Vanessa Brian J. White as Blair Brian White as Blair Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as First Lady Francie Swift as Nina Tyler Elliot Burke as Boyd Toni Trucks as Angela Nix Lauren Kelly as Amelia Montego Glover as Lena Marquis Rodriguez as Kevin Larry Mitchell as Det. Peter Hall Maureen Mueller as Kate Dana Ashbrook as Victor Gavin-Keith Umeh as Malik Patrick Cummings as Sniper Alex Manette as Ted Jankowski Nina Arianda as Lauren Kate Burton as Mary Kincaid Allyson Morgan as Assistant Matthew Schatz as Male Colleague Graham Powell as Randall Burke Melanie Nicholls-King as Dr. Marsh Royce Johnson as Agent Graham Adams Kevin Prowse as Security Guard Nancy Nagrant as Nurse Reed Frank Deal as John Norton Melissa Maxwell as Lillith Andy Powers as Charlie Andrews Duke Lafoon as Dr. Kagan Ali Farahnakian as Dr. Jim Miller Jonathan C. Kaplan as Martin Hayes Richard Hughes as Kate's Husband Stewart J. Zully as Det. Connors Kevyn Morrow as Police Captain Jeremiah Zinger as Wilson Tom Greer as Male Station Attendant Greg Brostrom as Janitor/Security Guard Michael Winther as Carson Bhavesh Patel as Journalist Jill Abramovitz as Realtor Derek Peith as Bus Driver Jorge Humberto Hoyos as Dr. Rowley Philip Hernandez as FBI Agent Tom Kemnitz Jr. as Medical Tech Tonya Glanz as Nicole Debra Kay Anderson as Mrs. Watson John-Patrick Driscoll as Man Jared Johnston as Cop #1 James Hindman as Priest Danielle Slavick as Nurse Karen Sharrieff Pugh as Herman Walker Nicholas J. Coleman as Young Burton Nick Chinlund as Det. Miller Samantha Ives as Mother Eric Schroeder as Pawnbroker Josh Banks as Lab Tech Jay O. Sanders as Lynn Shipley Leo Minaya as Nico Phil Nee as Principal Li Jun Li as Attractive Woman Joseph Melendez as Suit Bret Lada as Young Kincaid Brady Smith as Grant Erica Camarano as Nurse Garth Kravits as Polygrath Expert Alexander Cendese as Nico Miriam Hyman as Nancy John Palladino as Driver Harriett D. Foy as Nurse Delores Tim Ransom as Dr. Hank Evans Timothy Adams as Jack Cahill Robert McKay as Agent Seabury Mark Doherty as Thug Leader Stephen Friedrich as Young Man Tonya Pinkins as Beth Nix Robert Eli as Irritating Guy Napiera Groves as Press Secretary Jermel Howard as Tattoo Dude Germar Terrell Gardner as Correctional Officer Miller Lizzy Brooks as Teenage Girl Josiah Nolan as Thug #2 Martín Solá as Secret Service Agent Matthew Lawler as Private Detective John Mondin as Guard Hunter Emery as Sniper Kevin McCormick as Murphy Iris Delgado as TV Reporter Happy McPartlin as PTA Mom Veronica Dang as Assistant Nicholas E. Calhoun as Reporter #1 Magaly Colimon as Teacher Raushanah Simmons as Reporter #2 Jason Altman as Security Officer Harry Sutton Jr. as Reporter #3 Jeremy Sample as Ray Ed Moran as Det. Fritz Kenita Miller as Whimpering Woman Angel Rosa as Detective Show More Cast Episodes 1 Pilot Air date: Sep 23, 2013 A deadly cat-and-mouse game between a surgeon and a rogue FBI agent begins. In the opener, Dr. Ellen Sanders is selected to operate on the U.S. president but armed intruders take her family hostage and demand that she kill him during surgery or they will murder her family. More 2 Invisible Leash Air date: Sep 30, 2013 Duncan promises to kill a member of Ellen's family when she refuses to assassinate the president during surgery. Duncan also informs the family to go about their normal lives for the next two weeks until the commander in chief's operation. More 3 Power of Persuasion Air date: Oct 7, 2013 Duncan threatens Ellen that if she doesn't convince the president to keep her on as his surgeon that there will be severe consequences. Meanwhile, Ellen meets Duncan's daughter and gains insight into his life. More 4 2:45 PM Air date: Oct 14, 2013 Israeli thriller serial. The Danon family and the kidnappers are surprised when a soldier turns up at the front door, except for Noa, who has been keeping secrets from the rest of the family. (In Hebrew with English subtitles) More 5 Truth and Consequences Air date: Oct 21, 2013 Ellen makes a life-changing choice when she performs emergency surgery at home. Meanwhile, Duncan demands answers when Archer tells him that an innocent person in their plan has become a victim. More 6 Sister's Keeper Air date: Oct 28, 2013 Ellen's sister visits unexpectedly and Duncan forces Ellen to get rid of her without making it look suspicious. Later, Ellen is called in for questioning by the secret service and must play it cool because Duncan is there to help with the questioning. More 7 Hail Mary Air date: Nov 4, 2013 Ellen and Brian plot to take down Duncan. Meanwhile, Archer's accomplice plans to reveal to the ADA information about a murder Archer committed. More 8 The Good Reason Air date: Nov 11, 2013 Ellen must decide whether to save Duncan's life and confront his wife. Meanwhile, Creasy meets with Vanessa and Col. Blair after the president informs them that he wants to expose a government surveillance program that allowed spying on U.S. citizens. More 9 Loose Ends Air date: Nov 18, 2013 Duncan is ordered by someone closely connected to the plot to get rid of an insider when investigators get closer to discovering the conspiracy to kill the president. Meanwhile, Duncan takes the next step in his master plan, and gives Ellen the poison she is to use to kill the commander in chief. More 10 Burden of Truth Air date: Nov 25, 2013 When a member of the president's staff is murdered, Ellen urges Duncan to end the assassination plot. She also searches Nina's medical records and finds someone who may be a viable bone-marrow donor. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for Hostages Season 1 All Critics (43) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (19) Hostages hardly breaks new ground as a psychodrama with violence hovering in the air. But it could open new options for the television procedural. Sep 23, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… David Hinckley New York Daily News Top Critic Smart, intriguing thriller, but the opener is slightly overheated. Sep 23, 2013 | Rating: B+ | Full Review… Verne Gay Newsday Top Critic Despite all its unanswered questions, Hostages is appreciably easier to grasp than NBC's competing new The Black List. Sep 19, 2013 | Rating: B- | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic If you get past the large leap and buy into the premise, Hostages promises surprising switchbacks and character development ranking among the best of the season. Sep 6, 2013 | Full Review… Joanne Ostrow Denver Post Top Critic A show like Hostages really only has one chance to sink the hook into viewers. This premiere lets us get away. Aug 30, 2013 | Full Review… Tom Conroy Media Life Top Critic Suspense-filled from the get-go, Hostages revolves around a family full of secrets. Oct 8, 2013 | Full Review… Diane Garrett TheWrap Top Critic Hostages is one of those pilots that doesn't build the momentum necessary to make one want to return to the show, despite the central conflict and great cast. Aug 26, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review… Terence Johnson AwardsCircuit.com If I give a slight edge to Hostages, it's because Collette is one of those actresses I'd watch in just about anything, and because its 15-episode season means that whatever's going on here should become clear (or at least clearer) a bit sooner. Sep 23, 2013 | Full Review… Ellen Gray Philadelphia Daily News What makes Hostages such a disappointment is the overly familiar/lame dialogue and plotting. Sep 20, 2013 | Full Review… Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette There will be no episode two account of Hostages from this reviewer. They took an hour of my life and I refuse to enter into a dialogue with my captors. Jan 13, 2014 | Full Review… George Meixner What Culture The 14 and 15th final episodes of Hostages aired Monday night, bringing the story of Dr. Sanders and her family's kidnapping to a gripping close, and those who did choose to tune in were rewarded with a great final hour. Jan 8, 2014 | Full Review… Amber Dowling The Loop Real talk: Dylan McDermott can hold us hostage anytime. Oct 10, 2013 | Full Review… Jenna Mullins E! Online View All Critic Reviews (43) Audience Reviews for Hostages: Season 1 Feb 02, 2014 Dylan McDermott and Toni Collette lead the cast in the CBS drama Hostages. When the President goes under the knife for a routine surgery a group of mercenaries hold the surgeon's family hostage in order to force her to kill the President; but soon things get complicated and the family begins to question whether they should be helping the mercenaries instead of resisting them. The season starts out a little weak as it tries to seed too many subplots, but around midseason it finds its focus and begins to weave a compelling conspiracy. While there are some problem with story structure, Hostages delivers an entertaining 15 episode first season that's exciting and full of thrills. Dann M Super Reviewer Feb 25, 2014 Possibly the worst series I've ever watched in my whole life. There's nothing good about Hostages, the cast is cheesy and the plot is absolutely ridiculous. I really regret having wasted my time in this. Highly NOT recommended. Gabriel P Feb 08, 2014 Losing the will to live !!! can't see me seeing the series through to the end Julie C Jan 26, 2014 Only watched 2 episodes so far but it seems to be one of these shows that has promise but implausible to think the president would be advertising that he is going in for a routine operation. Oh and after the doctors cock up, she would be replaced, but I will stick with it.. good cast El Locos M Jan 13, 2014 Although its plot keeps jumping from point A to point B, Hostages keeps us thrilled with its never ending twisty story. Drew B Jan 09, 2014 This series is quite consistent -- in its consistently poor acting, lame dialogue, and zero suspense. I need to say this again: none of those actors showed more than a thin one-dimensional character. Toni Collette was better in her small role in 'Enough Said' (the movie) than in her leading role in this series. Dylan McDermott showed zero emotion throughout the whole damn series. None of the other actors were any better. Truly: this series could not have been worse! Rania M Jan 09, 2014 the second half of the season was so much more interesting than the beginning and middle Tania V Dec 30, 2013 Everything feels contrived and half-thought out. Like some bad soap, it seems like the writers come up with 'convenient' vehicles to achieve wildly unrealistic plot points, only to throw them away without resolution. Maybe that's what makes them seem unrealistic? Or does it seem like the writers have little life experience or have somehow missed the past 20yrs of tv & film dramas that establish premises they seem to ignore? It's a shame, because I crave serial dramas. Shows like The Killing, Breaking Bad, House of Cards, Broen (The Bridge), Borgen, Wallander and others are what I live for. So I wonder how shows like Hostages, with so many people and such expense, can have such gaping holes. I want to like the show but as I watch I keep thinking, "..but but.." or asking myself. "Well what about...." So many things. Nina S Dec 10, 2013 Smart, intriguing thriller...Loving it!!!! B'Cash J Dec 02, 2013 Underrated and addicting. Greg C See all Audience reviews News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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