3%

The dubbed version is awful, always watch with subtitles, much better. Story development is excellent, the characters are deep and refreshingly multi dimensional. Can't wait for season 3.

There's plenty to recommend this low-budget, futuristic Portuguese- Brazilian 8-episode SciFi teleseries. It has a gripping plot, the characters have plenty of magnetism and the situation of poverty versus privilege will ring true with many.

It's about a futuristic, real-life competition designed to choose the optimum 3% of new adults, who deem their skills sufficient to "pass" a truly grueling selection process. Successful candidates are rewarded with a life in a man-made paradise "Offshore", whereas the rest are doomed to continue living "Inland" - a huge poverty-stricken, environmentally degraded favela. There's plenty of sub-plot, social current and Machiavellian wickedness to keep viewers on the edge of their seats till the last episode. Despite the DIY feel of the close sets there are fortunately enough locations to relieve viewers of claustrophobia, that hampers many other cheap SciFi productions. I think this one (thanks to a good English dubbed version) will catch on with a wider TV audience than the normal Portuguese, homespun audience.

You don't review a show based on one episode. Most first episodes (of any series) are the pilot, and they don't tell much about the history, plot, acting quality. I'm not trying to defend it because I'm Brazilian, I just don't think some people are fair on their judgement (one user in particular even said he only watched the first episode, and gave it ONE star). Please guys, don't do that, reviews like that are not useful at all. I can't remember me watching a first episode of any show and thinking "wow, the best show ever".

To be honest, I didn't like the two first episodes, but I gave the show a chance and it proved me wrong. It really gets entertaining as you watch. The actors and plot are great and the history is quite original (besides some elements from other shows). I watched the full season in 3 days or less.

Just give it a shot, but please watch more than one episode.

First of all, watch it subbed, not dubbed! The acting is great! But it's tougher to look convincing when the words don't quite match up. In the original language, tone, pacing and inflection help complete the communication package.

The main characters all have distinct personalities, but while some are more likable than others, they all have a strong drive to do what it takes to progress.

The story has just enough mystery and plenty of twists. Don't expect a ton of special effects though. This isn't the sort of Sci-fi that's all lasers and robots, but it has just enough to remind you it's the future. I'm looking forward to finishing the series but dreading the end of season 1 before I get to watch season 2.

3% is one of those rare shows that only gets better and better as it goes. Season 3, so far, is shaping up to be the most enthralling season yet, which, let me tell you, is absolutely saying something! The world continues to be fleshed out, and the already quite complex characters are only getting more interesting.

Do yourself a favor, watch at least to episode three before you pass judgement. You won't regret it!