User reviews

I have never reviewed a show or movie before. I feel that this show is probably more realistic than some reviewers are giving credit. I listened to an interview from the writer of this show and she is from Chicago. From what I understood, her goal was to take a murder and build from that. To show the audience the ripples that the murder we see on the news actually has on the people in a neighbourhood like this. Most of the characters are good people but the murder of that one person creates consequences and impacts all those around. To think this is fiction or couldn't happen is naive in the world we currently live in. I agree with the one reviewer who compared it to The Wire. An excellent show with great writing and acting.

I'll tell you straight up, I'm from Chicago long time resident of the South Side and this show is by far the best portrayal of the South Side I have ever seen on TV. The Chi doesn't pull any punches and we get a show were the characters are so complicated and diverse, and the chemistry between them all is just so well balanced. The best way I can describe this show is like a fine tuned wristwatch. Don't go into this show thinking its all about gangs and poor black people living on food stamps.

As a citizen of Chicago living on the South Side, I am glad this show is showcasing how everyday life is. You watch the news and all you hear is "there was another shooting, possibly gang related.' Hence the words "Gang Related' this is the media's attempt to write off the violence that occurs in SOME not ALL of the communities on the South Side. Whenever I hear a shooting was a so-called gang hit on the news, I just shake my head. Most if not 100% of the time, shootings are the result of beefs or feuds between peoples that are not linked to a gang. And this show the Chi hits that mark square on with its first episode and its continuation. And also 100% of those shootings happen to be mistaken identity or what have you.

But moving away from the shootings and the gangs and all that, the South Side of Chicago is so much more than this. In the Chi. the creators of the show have highlighted these aspects, things people even living in Chicago do not know about.

If you're a TV buff with a taste for an authentic storyline, try the Chi. You won't disappointed.

The Chi is one of the best shows to air in a long time. Watching it after the utter dross that is MacMafia reminded me of how good television should look and feel. The writers take their time to introduce you to the characters, and give them space to develop. A rare thing these days. It's been compared to The Wire, and there are definite similarities (obviously no bad thing), but The Chi has a vibe all of it's own and gradually hooks you in. Most shows aim to have someone on screen you can empathise with, or at least identify with, but here there are so many members of the cast you genuinely want to go along with for the ride. I'm surprised this show doesn't have a higher rating. From the reviews so far it's clear some people just don't get it, or have the time to let something grow, but this is top class television and I hope it gets the audience it clearly deserves.

The moment you start watching "the Wire" pops in ones head. Which is a huge praise. The raw, real feeling of the world, characters, complexity and interconnectedness. Great show, cool. However... With season 3 it begins to lose the spirit. But nothing like season 4. Abysmal. Crucial characters puf!...disappear, huge storylines fade off, melodrama turned up to 11 filling everything and we get these little pop farts of storylines instead of (a)strong ones.

Season 4 might as well not have been filmed. It was a waste of time. Big idea, big story plot point, big issues. All just...left and unresolved, pushed aside to favour stupid ever revolving love drama that gets SO SO tiring and boring constantly repeating same old thing over and over again.

Just stop... You have ruined it. If season 4 is the jump off for season 5 and the same talentless hack of showrunner remains, spare yourself the ridicule of filming more of this pathetic insultingly dull product you call a tv show.

The Chi is nothing to look past. From incredible character development to an intense plot this series will keep you on your toes. It's very hard to find an authentic series but this one is just that. Look no more The Chi has arrived.

This is a text message that I just sent to family members...

"Good day y'all,

I had been hearing about this tv show called The Chi. I had it on my list to watch. Lena Waithe, the creator of the show is hella talented.

I watched the first episode. The writing was impeccable. There were so many similarities to people that I know. I left episode yelling BRANDON DON'T!!! BRANDON DON'T DO IT!!!!

I made me a cup of coffee and now I'm in to episode two of season one."

The kids are funny! I liked that the drama teacher was encouraging to students. I hate that kids, especially, live in environments where grownups just don't do right. I hate that kids see crimes like that. It is reality for a lot of people, but it's still hard to know that it's out there.

Love the character development here. Love that there's some more reality behind the good/bad guys - and to understand them, however bad they are, means you can't help but feel a little love for them.

I'm not sure why so many 9-star reviews and why so few 10-star reviews. Perhaps because there was no snow, sleet, rain or ice? It is Chicago, after all. People should be either freezing their asses or sweating from our hot/humid summers. But this is by far the best I have seen in years, if not ever. I love these people! (And that's coming from a north shore woman.) You all have successfully destroyed my writing career. I can never measure up

This show seemed like it was going to be really good, but fell off tremendously and drug on with no end in sight. Very boring in season 2

There is so much talent in this show. Every actor and actress is superior. The music makes even the worst scene palatable. The jazz, the 1940's film score attention snatching. I can not believe the music in this show is this good. I mean whoever produces the music for this show had a vision. They are well aware of the historical composition of music in films. The show is addictive. Every character shines and is highlighted throughout the show. Reggie and Trig look like real brothers. The show is so raw and real. These actors are nothing to play with. The talent is incomparable. Every character feels like a real person. I'm extremely proud of these actors and actresses.

This show portrays how Chicago really cam be even when you are booty in the streets. Things just go sideways, stories get crossed. Common was the perfect guy to be a part of this. One of the most realistic shows on TV right now. Ppl that don't rate this show 7 or higher is either hating because its great black show and/or Don't understand the realities of "the hood". Guys from the hood are probsbly not on imdb rating shows and writing reviews so I'll do it for them. GREAT SHOW LITERALLY

I read the reviews of the people saying Season 3 was terrible compared to 1 and 2 snd had to see for myself. Sorry for doubting you. Reasons why? (1) Did we really need LaLa Anthony and Kandi Burress added to the cast? (2) Kidnapping plot was ridiculous (3) Too much ancillary plots no one cared about

Hope it can recover.

I stumbled across this show by accident but absolutely love it! Strong story lines. And it has luke James! Strong storylines, definitely worth the watch. A small peep into everyday life.

The characters are incredibly interesting! I want to know what will happen to them. I always learn when watching the show and I love how it plays homage to Black shows and movies of yester year! This show deserves another season!

I'm glued to the tv every week to make sure I don't miss an episode. This is 1 of the few shows that I watch. This show has some real life issues and is very relatable.

From season 3 onwards it becomes a different show, and it lacks the realism and the emotional and social range that it had in the begining. One of the main cast leaving the show was inevitable due to the circumstances that no one really saw coming. My review is biased because as much as the show has changed and some of the plotlines that open don't always seem to come to a satisfying close, for me it doesn't matter how drama driven the show has become, I have grown to care so much about these characters and what they are going through. I might need to suspend certain elements of realism to follow the show and some its questionable writing choices, but I love these characters. I like seeing Shaad try and put his life together after being in prison, and seeing him try to have that same positive impact on other young men in the area like Bakari. I care so much about the kids and they have from the begining been one of the most high points of this show. I am looking forward to watching the sixth and final season. I really want to see if the writers allow space to see these kids get help with processing the traumas that they have had to endure in a way that is effective, we've seen Kevin go to therapy only a few times in the first season and so much has happened since then. I want to see the show end on an overall positive note.

Season 3 is a mess. This should have ended with season 2!

Love my city, love this show. So sad Brandon and Reg will no longer be on the show. Wish they killed Ronnie ass off. Tired of his dusty character.

I enjoyed season one of this show quite a bit - certainly more than I anticipated. No, it is not anywhere remotely in the same ballpark of The Wire, yet initially I felt it was compelling. Sure, the acting was extremely rough and terribly amateurish, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and hoped things would improve in season two.

Sadly the acting showed no improvement whatsoever in season two. Thanks to the poor acting, very odd editing, and questionable directing I had to toss this once promising show into the rubbish bin.

6/10, not 2/10 because Season 1 was somewhat watchable. Season 2 did not see the iceberg.

First two season was excellent, between an 8/9 out of ten but this third season i'm at a complete lost,it's like watching a different show,it in a way reminds me of Power or even Games of Thrones both being series that went on a season (or two) to long and totally lost what I enjoyed about them,I'll struggle through season 3 out of respect for a show I really enjoyed but won't watch a season 4 if it's made.

I was excited to watch this show over the first maybe 3 episodes. A lot of street interaction, gangs, a window into their South Side of Chicago tough lives. The past two seasons though, kinda suck. If I wanted to see boyfriend / girlfriend in the ghetto stories, I would be watching BET - or Lifetime.

Kissie-kissie - nice-nice.

Story line has become way too simplistic and unrealistic. Please !! Get this ship back on course !!!