Veritas: The Quest (2003–2004) User Reviews

It should NEVER have been canceled!

[salemchic · 26 June 2005]

I so agree! It was a fascinating show with insight into common ancient myths and legends! The actors were hot, the acting was good, and there was no reason to get rid of the show. I watched it every time it was on, and wish i had taped the three episodes that had aired. The cliffhangers at the end of each episode were enough to keep me coming back each week. I truly don't see why they decided to end the show. Granted the viewing audience wasn't very big, but they gave the show all of 3 weeks before they pulled it off the air...hardly enough time for people to be flipping through the channels and go, "Hey, here's something to watch." and then get sucked in.

One of the best shows ever!

[pinkxacid · 10/10 · 5 January 2006]

Wow, I came across this show, aired late at night. Unfortunately, I only saw it from the second last episode, as I think there isn't another series. But, this show is one of the best I have seen in a long time. I'm not a sci-fi or fantasy type of person, but this show knocked me off my feet! Nikko, is a young, gorgeous looking boy, and I fell in love with him instantly, as I did with his also good looking father! It has a riveting storyline, is action packed and it is very different to other shows on TV. I cant believe they pulled it in the USA and that they showed it at 12.30pm here in Australia. I'm really going to miss it!!

What a waste of a brilliant show

[steve-signup · 10/10 · 21 August 2006]

I only saw this show as it was posted for download, I thought it sounded OK, so I had a look at the pilot. But after the first episode I was hooked.... it is damn brilliant and I am upset that BBC canned the show.

I doubt it will ever get to us here in New Zealand, but at least if it is out there there is a chance of getting more.

It is one of the best series I have seen in a long time and would have gained a huge following I am sure, if it was ever screened PROPERLY!!!

Bring it back!!! .... and get cracking with a new season, don't can a great show!!

Tried to be a lot of things and failed in all of them.

[kok_warlock · 1/10 · 6 May 2006]

One huge discovery every week, one week the wheel of something, the other the Holy Grail, a couples weeks some ancient lost civilization artifact in Antarctica all that combined with heavily action scenes that seemed to have been taken from Power Rangers plus bad acting, this show sucked a lot.

I use all my strengh to see 7 episode, only because I downloaded all 13 episodes at once, but it was so bad that I couldn't see the rest, this show tried to be a lot of things, science, fantasy, sci-fi, history, action, comedy and drama, unfortunately, it was mediocre in all, the only thing this show manages to be is a waste of time.

PS: It was pathetically funny to see the characters make some position before and after all the roundhouse kicks they made many times against their 'oh-so-powerful enemies', that bothered them everywhere, except in their 'base', funny to see how their enemies knew even their thoughts but not the location of Zond's batcave.

It's great fun!

[daria84 · 14 March 2003]

Ok, so if you are the kind of people who didn't enjoy "the Mummy" movies, or any Indiana Jones movie, or thought that "Tomb Raider" was stupid, then you must skip this show; but if you did, I can assure you, you will like this one a lot!!

The plot is about an archeological group called "Veritas" who seek the truth about mankind in ancient artifacts and that kind of stuff, and are lead by rebellious teenager Nikko Zond (Ryan Merriman) and his dad Solomon Zond (Alex Carter). The chemistry between the actors is great, they have good lines and have improved a lot since the pilot episode. And the supporting cast is excellent! I mean come on, Arnold "The Mummy" Vosloo is there! we all know that guy can't offer anything less than a great performance, and in this role he is just awesome, as the mysterious Vincent.

This show is kinda like "Johnny Quest", Johnny is Nikko, Dr Quest is Solomon, and Race is Vincent, all the rest of the cast add the fun :) Bottom line: If you are an adventurer, this is a "must-see" show!

Terrible

[xbatgirl-30029 · 1/10 · 17 March 2024]

I gave up on the series in the middle of episode 3. It's a shame because it's a great premise for a show - after all there are many others in this genre that were successful and short lived cult favs. It's a genre I really love and even do repeat viewing of many similar series. Sadly, this is one of the worst in memory. The majority of the problem is that the writing is hacky, chichéd, and predictable to a fault. Usually, if a show is not super original, it can still be super fun to watch though, because you like and enjoy the characters, the dialog, the settings. Even though this originally aired on ABC, the budget seems tiny. I think I did watch one or two episodes when it originally aired. I don't remember if it hated it then also or if it just got lost in the schedule so I couldn't keep watching. I do know it was pulled from the schedule completely after 4 episodes. For once, I agree with the executives. Another downfall is casting Ryan Merriman as the lead. He's extremely whiny and unlikeable, and it's not just due to the writing. Every line he says or close up of his pouty, spoiled face, is like nails on a blackboard. It's a shame because most of the rest of the cast is great. I've enjoyed watching them in many other shows and they've had careers with staying power. I've especially been a fan of Eric Balfour and Arnold Vosloo. There were even good guest stars. Take episode 3, which I gave up on, they had Liz Vassey who played Wendy from CSI, who I enjoyed watching for years. For the most part, the casting was great. I would have enjoyed watching the rest of the cast in a show of this type had it been good. But I just can't with Merriman. Putting him aside, there is not a single plot development that is inspired or interesting. How do you mess up a story of this type so badly? There were other similar small budget similar shows like Adventure Inc or Relic Hunter that I loved. There were even similar shows with teens such as Unnatural History that did a better version of this genre. But they had better writers and likely also better directors. The entire writing staff for Veritas needed to be replaced. Whoever was showrunner made a lot of poor decisions. What a shame.

I think it's wonderful

[lwcooper · 1 May 2003]

I still don't see why ABC has decided not to continue this wonderful series. It's a very refreshing change from the idiot-level garbage that's been usurping prime televion for the past several years. There are intelligent viewers out here like me that appreciate the depth and intrigue that this series had to offer.

Interesting show but never had a chance

[kismit · 26 October 2003]

I can't figure out why a network goes to the trouble of buying multiple episodes of a new show and plugging it into their lineup and then does almost nothing to advertise it. If an audience doesn't even know when a show is on how do they tune in? I caught one episode of this by accident but by then it was finished. This seems to be the way of television with a fantasy plotline(except cartoons like Zena the Warrior Princess). These kinds of series are dropped too quickly in my opinion. Once they actually catch on and the writing has time to mature they can become fixtures like the X Files and Buffy(not my cup of tea but it had a good run).The network execs would rather give us an endless stream of Friends clones and grasping at straws dating/reality TV.

I agree ... why cancel this show?

[HarryC13 · 3 May 2003]

This was an interesting, intelligent series -- something to look forward to on Monday nights. But the network kept pre-empting it for any number of excuses, and I only got to see three episodes. Now it's being canceled? Morons!

Great Show

[Powerseeker · 9 February 2003]

This show is definately a success. I, along with many other people like this series. It is very interesting and very exciting to watch. I love the characters, they are very creative. The writers are brilliant. Thank you so much for making a series like this. Don't listen to other people who say it isn't a good show. It is a wonderful series. Don't take their word, watch it yourself.

The Quest is 5x5

[mayfair5x5 · 3 March 2003]

I assume that people who criticize so harshly must be experts in acting, writing, etc., and perhaps have won an Academy Award or two. Well, I am no expert in acting, writing, etc., (and therefore have not won an Oscar), but I have to admit that "Veritas, The Quest" is just plain fun. And perhaps it's purpose is to poke a little fun at itself. I was really engrossed by the pilot episode, and felt the I was thrown into the thick of the action right off the bat. I got hooked. Then again, I watched "Joe Millionaire" so perhaps my credibility just flew off the monitor.

As with many first seasons, episodes tend to be self-contained, but we all know that once the mythology story arc is in full-swing, things get really interesting. So I'm up for giving this show a chance. :)

Love It!!

[Brigid382 · 19 March 2003]

I love this show! It's just pure fun and excitement. Each show is better than the last and I wait all week for the new one! Great acting and great story lines! I love the whole idea of the series. Ryan Merriman is a true star in this show and it shows how great an actor he truly is!

Off to a great start!

[bubbalou33 · 28 January 2003]

Last night I watched the premiere of Veritas. It was great!! Its about a rebellious teen, Nikko Zond, who ends up being taken under the wing of his father after being kicked out of yet another prep school. He finds out that his father is not a professor (which he has believed for many years) but the head of a secret organization known as Veritas, which is Latin for the truth.

It was confusing at first to figure out what was going on, but thats the whole point. Its almost like its through the eyes of Nikko, unaware and confused. All he knows is that someone is after something of his fathers. I really enjoyed watching it and will definitely tune in next week!! And not just because Ryan Merriman (Nikko) is in it!!! But...he certainly does add to one of the best parts about it!!

Keeps getting better

[wuffern · 25 February 2003]

I have watched the 3 aired episodes so far and it just keeps getting better. I think the pilot was a bit short though, could maybe have made it last a bit longer and made us a bit more familiar with the characters. Nothing they cant fix as the series continues, hope people get their eyes up and start watching the show so it don`t get canceled.

Get into the story, not the acting

[ryan-515 · 11 July 2005]

This series is very interesting in a few ways. When you watch it for the first time things such as poor acting, 'B-grade' and incorrect casting come to mind.

But if you watch it a few times and get a feel for the series and what it's looking at the stories start to become more important.

The subject matter being religion, philosophy and conspiracies are controversial topics in themselves and the fact I mention it is bound to bring negative comments. The reason for this is religion and philosophy aren't commonly understood and conspiracy theorists often are less then sane of mind hence they are un-trusted. Yet this is a series that has enough truth to be believable yet does twist reality as all well written series are leaving a more believable scenario then unbelievable.

I do agree on the comments regarding the characters being stereotypical made in another comment and there could be a little more originality there however the mysterious character of Vincent does tend to make it more palatable.

Overall it's a good series if you like stories. If you watch programmes for acting then this is not the series for you but if you watch programmes for the stories then this is an excellent series - just get past the first few episodes and it wouldn't hurt to look into the main religious beliefs a little, the pyramids, mainstream philosophy and inventions circa 1400AD-1600AD.

It also helps to know what the word Veritas means - it's Latin for 'truth', so the title 'Veritas: the quest' makes a little more sense, 'Truth: the quest'

Promising

[Ten13Grl · 27 January 2003]

The first episode of Veritas showed much potential and a promise of better things to come. Ryan Merriman delivers, as always, and the rest of the cast were great as well. The show is the story of Vincent, played by Alex Carter, who is an archaeologist.......well, kind of, more like Lara Croft's version of an archaeologist from what the first episode shows, and his estranged son Nikko, played by Merriman. In the first episode Vincent is trying to find a lost city that his wife had been searching for before she died and Nikko ends up coming along for the ride. The characters are interesting and the dialogue, though it could use a little work, is quite good overall. ****/*****

Nice :P

[mad_hanni · 22 December 2005]

Since i live in Australia, they played the whole first season of Veritas. I think its absolutely great, With Ryan Merriman playing Nikko Zond, who after being kicked out of another boarding school, finds out his dads job isn't as boring as he once thought. The end of the season was surprising, with Nikko appearing to have a bit of telekinetic powers, (you see this in the last 30 seconds of the last episode), and Vincent (Arnold, from the mummy! :P) plotting about Nikko with the funder of the Veritas foundation. Its great really, With Merriman playing another great role since pretender. I hope they made a second season... because i wanna know what happens!!

Another good show they have cancelled!

[BexieID · 27 March 2004]

I've only seen one whole episode and some snippets but I can't believe its cancelled already! Grrr!!!!! It's currently airing over here on mondays at 9pm on the Sci-Fi Channel. 9 episodes have been aired so far. I am looking forward to watching the ones I haven't seen. What piqued my interest in the show is that Ryan Merriman is in it. He was excellent as young Jarod in The Pretender and I wanted to see him in something more recent. Interestingly, the episode of Veritas I have seen is the one with the young prodigy Alexi. Ryans character Nikko was to Alexi, as Sydney was to Jarod. Well, in my opinion anyway! If you like Tombraider, you'll probably like this!

Not off to a good start....

[pscheiblich · 28 January 2003]

The premiere was not very impressive. The characters were rather flat and stereotypical, and the acting from all parties was merely so-so. The basic plotline of racing to find archaeological relics or ruins with modern day powers has been done to death: Indiana Jones, Atlantis, The Mummy, Relic Hunter, etc. It seems they are going for a cross between Mission: Impossible and the X-Files, and neither component seems to work. Some people might find the action parts vaguely exciting, but with characters this bland, who cares if they're in danger?

Laughable

[bullions27 · 4 February 2003]

I had my suspicions and doubts when I saw that the writers from "Schlock Raider: Flaunt Angelina Jolie's Mountains" were behind this series. After enduring the first two episodes painfully, my fears were clearly, without a doubt, warranted. All characters in the show are cliches. Yes. You heard me. Each and every one of them; generic, stereotypcial cliches. You could debate whether they are truly characters, or just blocks of wood regurgitating whatever crayon-written dribble the writers had for them but in anycase... badly drawn up and acted characters also equal to a comical storyline.

The Zonds are a family of adventurers (except for the reluctant rebel teenage son of course) and they prance around the world with their crew of Indiana Jones misfits to hunt for lost treasure. Oh yes, there's also a secret U.S. government faction that is closely monitoring and getting in the way of their work. Somewhere along the way, the wife bites it. The son blames dad and so on and so forth. Predictable stuff. Even though this could spawn a decent enough character building subplot, the show does a horrible job handling it.

Now the supporting cast... wait there's none to speak of. Arnold Vosloo is relegated to the mystical zen master role (hilarious) with about 3 lines of ridiculous dialogue per episode. The one with the beard plays the usual geek and comedy relief. The girl screams cliche. I can't figure how they managed to pick one of the absolute worst actors for the lead role, and the whining kid is just plain annoying. He either whines about how his life sucks and his dad sucks, or he somehow bails out the entire crew with his amazing deus ex machina powers. Does that justify for him being in the series?

Veritas is a mistake, unlike its other sister-show Miracles which features far better acting and writing. ABC should be lucky they also debuted Dragnet this season to counter this monstrosity.

Absurd and Carbon Copy

[prometheus1816 · 10 February 2003]

Like so many of the other comments on this show, the main premise is so badly written that it doesn't even pass the laugh test. The teen angst against the distant, but protective father plot is so boring and tried. I would love to have seen Alex Carter and Ryan Merriman be more or less on the same page. They'd lost a wife/mother and therefore should have drawn closer together. It seems in every episode thus far, they spend more time at each others throats than remembering they're father and son still grieving the death of a loved one. It seems as though this show also suffers from the "carbon copy" syndrome. It's no surprise that ABC wanted to capture the same elements as its other hit show "Alias" with the relationship between Sydney and Jack Bristow, but these two actors in "Veritas" aren't even close to the talent of Jennifer Garner or Victor Garber. To me, the only saving grace for this show is to expand the enigmatic character of Vincent played by "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" Arnold Vosloo. Who isn't used to his full capacity.

While I understand that this show is still young, I cannot get over the amateurish way the show is being presented. Of course it is geared toward the under eighteen crowd, but still, there should be enough for the adults to want to watch. For me, it's solely Arnold Vosloo's presence. I know for a fact, without his talent, I would not be watching the show. "Varitas" doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it "The X-Files" with the syndicate, or is it "The Mummy" with the pseudo Rick O'Connell and Alex sans Evie? Or is it just masquerading as "Lara Croft" only without the girl with the gazagas, since this is familiy entertainment. Or does it want to be Indiana Jones, "The Early Adventures of Indiana and Henry Jones". I don't know. Every show has its growing pains but this one seems stunted. "Alias" and "The X-Files" hit the ground running with their characterizations and plots. "Veritas" just can't seem to think of what it wants to be. So far, the people of the Veritas "Squad" have found two artifacts...mmmmmm? Reminiscent of the Alliance attempt to find the Rambaldi artifacts in "Alias"? They've had their jet crash and have had to trek across the Antarctican plain to get to a buried heat source that supposedly helped adventurer Sir Ernest Shackleton and the men of The Endurance survive their ordeal. Why can't this show just be original and have "real" characters and stories? Because, the more one tries to reinvent the wheel, it's bound to get screwed up somewhere. This wheel still has square corners.

One saving grace: Beef up Arnold Vosloo's part. Make him the focus, I'm sure there are far more interesting tidbits in this character's background to mine rather than have us sit through this agonizing father-and-son-angst thing.

Indiana Jones with family and friends meets X-files.

[aurorapic · 11 February 2003]

Relic hunter type shows like Veritas can be good. This one has some fair story lines, and seems to be getting better as it goes along, but the writers need to develope the characters more. The actors need to become their characters. They don't have any depths to their character.

Just like the last review, some of the events were laughable. The first episode, I actually found boring.

If this series expects to last even as a midseason replacement, the writing needs to be stronger and so do the characters.

I am all for giving new comers a chance. Since I've explained their weaknesses, lets hope the producers, writers and actors are listening.

A vote FOR Veritas

[jkirkseven · 9 April 2003]

How sad! Just when the network creates a show that I can watch together with my teenagers they cancel it because what: It does not have enough language, not enough sex appeal? Maybe it's time for a station to take a chance and give the American public some shows that we can watch with our children. Take the chance that we are not all tuning in for sex and violence. Just the opinion of a mother who hopes that our future in America is not to be ruled by sex and violence. Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good drama packed with a little more occasionally. I just don't understand why the stations feel that is all we want. What is wrong with a little "wholesome" entertainment?