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Season 1 – The Lottery

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Lottery Jul 2014 Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
53% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
It's 2025 and people are facing extinction due to a global fertility crisis. Dr. Alison Lennon has spent years researching why women have stopped becoming pregnant and, through her research, has managed to fertilize 100 human ova. Her joy over the discovery is short-lived when a government agency takes control of the lab and lets the president know about the monumental breakthrough. A fight for the embryos begins when the chief of staff convinces him to hold a national lottery as a way to distribute them.
The Lottery — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Sporadically effective but mostly mundane, The Lottery ultimately holds a losing ticket.

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Critics Reviews

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Daniel D'Addario Salon.com 08/04/2014
The Lottery wants to entertain, sort of, but also to make a hazy point about the meaning of hope and of motherhood. Maybe this is one brand that was fine the way it was. Go to Full Review
Allison Keene The Hollywood Reporter 07/21/2014
The Lottery has promise, and is a striking change of pace for Lifetime. Go to Full Review
David Hinckley New York Daily News 07/21/2014
4/5
Very different in storyline and style from Shirley Jackson's classic short story with the same title, this one raises questions just as disturbing. Go to Full Review
Kari Croop Common Sense Media 07/29/2014
2/5
Dystopian drama explores the business of baby-making. Go to Full Review
Mark A. Perigard Boston Herald 07/21/2014
B+
If The Lottery can keep up the promise of its premiere, it will punch a winning ticket. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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11/15/2014 I am deeply saddened by the cancellation of this show. I love vampires, witches and zombies as much as the next person, but what we really need is for more shows--more stories--that hold a mirror up humanity and ask the serious questions we avoid talking about. The world is very much entering a population crisis. We will have reached carrying capacity for the Earth's resources within the next century. Take a look a the work of Dr. Albert A. Bartlett, Professor of Physics, University of Colorado, search for the term "exponential growth." Although this show was labeled in science fiction, even the most futuristic items depicted (glass cell phones and EMP guns) are within our current technological capabilities. The truth is this future contains more science than fiction: Infertility can be caused by a virus, some viruses spread rapidly. We can't always trust the people who are monitoring what is created in labs. Perhaps this show wasn't cancelled for the sake of incredulity, but instead because it hit too close home for viewers and the powers that be. See more 07/26/2014 The pilot is so far beyond what the word "terrible" is capable of describing that the only network in the world that lacked enough shame and self-respect to air it was Lifetime. Watching infomercials is a better use of one's time. See more 07/23/2014 Ill admit the premise is high concept that could have held promise on another network, but not on life time. See more Read all reviews
The Lottery — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 20, 2014 Pilot A young scientist fertilizes 100 human ova; the government takes control of Dr. Lennon's laboratory; the Chief of Staff convinces the president to hold a national lottery to determine which women will carry the embryos. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 27, 2014 Rules of the Game Alison faces the aftermath of her actions; Vanessa, Darius and the president's advisers debate the lottery; Kyle and Elvis seek refuge with an old friend. Details Episode 3 Aired Aug 3, 2014 Greater Good Vanessa, Darius and President Westwood deal with a hostage crisis; after testing Kyle, Alison and James make a strange discovery; the world reacts to news of the lottery. Details Episode 4 Aired Aug 10, 2014 Genie Vanessa has second thoughts about the lottery and consults with Darius and the president; Darius and Vanessa discover the culprit behind the diplomat's kidnapping; Alison and James quarantine Kyle. Details Episode 5 Aired Aug 17, 2014 Crystal City The president announces the 200 lottery finalists; Vanessa makes a discovery about the kidnapping in China; Alison and James get closer to uncovering clues about the fertility crisis; Kyle and his ex-wife fight for custody of Elvis. Details Episode 6 Aired Aug 24, 2014 Sleep Deprived The lottery contestants acclimate to the pressure of their new lives; Vanessa works against Darius; Kyle meets a new ally; Alison's investigation comes to a head. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 7, 2014 St. Michael Alison and James share their theory with Vanessa; Vanessa discovers that Darius has some co-conspirators; Kyle is asked to compromise a relationship; contestants face psychological evaluations. Details Episode 8 Aired Sep 14, 2014 Truth Be Told Alison follows up on the evidence that James uncovered; Vanessa uncovers Darius' plan to take control of the lottery; Kyle discovers the MayTwos' real agenda; Perry tries to help Angela. Details Episode 9 Aired Sep 21, 2014 Mr. Torino Vanessa confronts Darius about his plans; Alison and Kyle meet the MayTwos; the president discovers that Gabrielle has made a deal with Perry and confronts her. Details Episode 10 Aired Sep 28, 2014 In Extremis The president announces the winners of the lottery as the mystery behind the infertility crisis comes to a head. Details
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Season Info

Executive Producer
Timothy J. Sexton, Rick Eid, Dawn Parouse
Network
Lifetime
Rating
TV-14 (L|V)
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jul 20, 2014