# Command Z

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Command_Z.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command_Z
> Source revision: 1353584760
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|2023 American web series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use list-defined references|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox television
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| based_on             = <!-- {{Based on|title of the original work|creator of the original work|additional creator(s), if necessary}} -->
| inspired_by          = {{Based on|''[Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History](/source/Evil_Geniuses%3A_The_Unmaking_of_America%3A_A_Recent_History)''|[Kurt Andersen](/source/Kurt_Andersen)}}
| developer            = {{ubl|[Kurt Andersen](/source/Kurt_Andersen)|Sam Lowry|[Larry Doyle](/source/Larry_Doyle_(writer))}}
| writer               = 
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| director             = [Steven Soderbergh](/source/Steven_Soderbergh)
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| presenter            = <!-- Organized by broadcast credit order, with new main cast added to the end of the list -->
| starring             = {{Plainlist|<!-- Organized by broadcast credit order, with new main cast added to the end of the list -->
* [Michael Cera](/source/Michael_Cera)
* [Liev Schreiber](/source/Liev_Schreiber)
* [Roy Wood Jr.](/source/Roy_Wood_Jr.)
* JJ Maley
* [Chloe Radcliffe](/source/Chloe_Radcliffe)
* [Kevin Pollak](/source/Kevin_Pollak)
}}
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| country              = United States
| language             = English
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| company              = [Extension 765](/source/Extension_765)<!-- Production companies only -->
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| released             = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
| last_aired           = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| related              = <!-- To be used only for remakes, spin-offs, and adaptations --> 
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'''''Command Z''''' is a [science fiction comedy](/source/science_fiction_comedy) [web series](/source/web_series) directed by [Steven Soderbergh](/source/Steven_Soderbergh).  The series consists of eight episodes of varying lengths that ultimately comprise a 90-minute runtime.

== Cast ==
* [Michael Cera](/source/Michael_Cera) as Kerning Fealty
* [Roy Wood Jr.](/source/Roy_Wood_Jr.) as Sam
* [Chloe Radcliffe](/source/Chloe_Radcliffe) as Emma 
* [JJ Maley](/source/JJ_Maley) as Jamie
* [Liev Schreiber](/source/Liev_Schreiber) as Kohlberg Pryce
* [Kevin Pollak](/source/Kevin_Pollak) as Old Kerning Fealty
* [Zoë Winters](/source/Zo%C3%AB_Winters) as Congresswoman Christina Martin
* [Laura Seay](/source/Laura_Seay) as Astrid Jensen
* [Catherine Curtin](/source/Catherine_Curtin) as Carol
* [Stavros Halkias](/source/Stavros_Halkias) as Baz Diamandis
* [Mike Houston](/source/Mike_Houston_(actor)) as Bob Shiner
* [Will Brill](/source/Will_Brill) as Henry Humphrey
* [Mike Birbiglia](/source/Mike_Birbiglia) as the Time Traveler
* [Sabrina Brier](/source/Sabrina_Brier) as Pura Shujaa
* [Alexandra Socha](/source/Alexandra_Socha) as Pastor Caddy Winbrush
* [James Naughton](/source/James_Naughton) as Justice Frank Richardson

== Synopsis ==
A scientist tasks his employees with a "historic" mission to travel back in time to revise history and save the world.

== Production ==
In January 2023, [Steven Soderbergh](/source/Steven_Soderbergh) announced that he had filmed a science fiction satire series he was calling ''The Pendulum Project''.  It was shot in July and August 2022 between shooting ''[Magic Mike's Last Dance](/source/Magic_Mike's_Last_Dance)'' and ''[Full Circle](/source/Full_Circle_(miniseries))'' in New York.<ref name="Pendulum" /> The show was independently financed by Soderbergh,<ref name="Trailer" /> and it was inspired by [Kurt Andersen](/source/Kurt_Andersen)'s book ''[Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History](/source/Evil_Geniuses%3A_The_Unmaking_of_America%3A_A_Recent_History)''. Andersen co-created the series with former Simpsons writer [Larry Doyle](/source/Larry_Doyle_(writer)). It stars [Michael Cera](/source/Michael_Cera), [Roy Wood Jr.](/source/Roy_Wood_Jr.), Chloe Radcliffe, JJ Maley, and [Liev Schreiber](/source/Liev_Schreiber).<ref name="Screening" /> Writers include Andersen, Doyle, Wood Jr, Radcliffe, [Nell Scovell](/source/Nell_Scovell), [Akilah Hughes](/source/Akilah_Hughes), Jiehae Park, and [Emily Flake](/source/Emily_Flake).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://commandzseries.com/episodes/v/8 | title=Episode 8 - Back for the Future }}</ref>

== Release ==
A secret screening of ''Command Z'' was held on June 16, 2023, at the [Metrograph](/source/Metrograph) in New York City before the series' release.<ref name="Screening Date" /><ref name="Metrograph" />  It was officially released on July 17, 2023—the same date that the characters must travel back in time to in the show's universe.<ref name="Screening" /> The series was made available for purchase on the website of Soderbergh's production company, [Extension 765](/source/Extension_765), and proceeds from the series are donated to [Children's Aid](/source/Children's_Aid) and the [Boston University](/source/Boston_University) Center for Antiracist Research.<ref name="Benefit" />

== Reception ==
''[The Daily Beast](/source/The_Daily_Beast)'' critic Nick Schager wrote that "Soderbergh’s direction is snappy, playful, and efficient, and so too are the series’ scripts," writing that  
"nicely marries socio-political sharpness and jaded absurdity" to "deliver goofy laughs," yet "without ever resorting to sermonizing."<ref name="The Daily Beast Review" /> Shannon Connellan at ''[Mashable](/source/Mashable)'' found the series to be a "superbly acted" thought-provoking series about how small changes can improve the future. "If you're looking for top-tier political, social, and economic commentary on how fucked up the world is, this is the bunch."<ref name="Mashable Review" /> Chase Hutchinson at ''[Collider](/source/Collider_(website))'' gave the series a B−, feeling that the series was sometimes charming but also feeling like Soderbergh used it more as an exercise that he wasn't taking seriously.<ref name="Collider Review" />

==Episodes==
{{Episode table |background=#251C14 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 1
 |Title           = The Room
 |DirectedBy      = [Steven Soderbergh](/source/Steven_Soderbergh)
 |WrittenBy       = [Larry Doyle](/source/Larry_Doyle_(writer)) & [Kurt Andersen](/source/Kurt_Andersen)
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
 |ShortSummary    = {{Plainlist|
* "More information" theme: Time travel
* "More information" suggestions: ''[The Terminator](/source/The_Terminator)'', ''[Brother Future](/source/Brother_Future)'', ''[Run Lola Run](/source/Run_Lola_Run)''}}
 |LineColor       = 251C14
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 2
 |Title           = The Climate
 |DirectedBy      = Steven Soderbergh
 |WrittenBy       = Jiehae Park
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
 |ShortSummary    = {{Plainlist|
* "More information" theme: Climate change
* "More information" suggestions: ''[Soylent Green](/source/Soylent_Green)'', ''[The Day After Tomorrow](/source/The_Day_After_Tomorrow)'', ''[Ice Age: The Meltdown](/source/Ice_Age%3A_The_Meltdown)''}}
 |LineColor       = 251C14
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 3
 |Title           = The Pryce is Wrong
 |DirectedBy      = Steven Soderbergh
 |WrittenBy       = {{StoryTeleplay|s=Jiehae Park & Chloe Radcliffe|t=Chloe Radcliffe}}
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
 |ShortSummary    = {{Plainlist|
* "More information" theme: Wall Street
* "More information" suggestions: ''[Wall Street](/source/Wall_Street_(1987_film))'', ''[American Psycho](/source/American_Psycho_(film))'', ''[Hustlers](/source/Hustlers_(film))''}}
 |LineColor       = 251C14
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 4
 |Title           = The Pryce is Wrong II
 |DirectedBy      = Steven Soderbergh
 |WrittenBy       = {{StoryTeleplay|s=Jiehae Park & Chloe Radcliffe|t=Chloe Radcliffe}}
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
 |ShortSummary    = {{Plainlist|
* "More information" theme: Dogs
* "More information" suggestions: ''[Snoopy Come Home](/source/Snoopy_Come_Home)'', ''[Turner & Hooch](/source/Turner_%26_Hooch)'', ''[Hotel for Dogs](/source/Hotel_for_Dogs_(film))''}}
 |LineColor       = 251C14
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 5
 |Title           = Antisocial Media
 |DirectedBy      = Steven Soderbergh
 |WrittenBy       = [Roy Wood Jr.](/source/Roy_Wood_Jr.)
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
 |ShortSummary    = {{Plainlist|
* "More information" theme: Social media
* "More information" suggestions: ''[The Social Network](/source/The_Social_Network)'', ''[Ingrid Goes West](/source/Ingrid_Goes_West)'', ''Die Influencers Die!''}}
 |LineColor       = 251C14
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 6
 |Title           = The Climate II
 |DirectedBy      = Steven Soderbergh
 |WrittenBy       = {{StoryTeleplay|s=[Akilah Hughes](/source/Akilah_Hughes) & Chloe Radcliffe|t=Chloe Radcliffe}}
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
 |ShortSummary    = {{Plainlist|
* "More information" theme: Nuclear energy
* "More information" suggestions: ''[The China Syndrome](/source/The_China_Syndrome)'', ''[Chernobyl](/source/Chernobyl_(miniseries))'', ''Atomic Hope''}}
 |LineColor       = 251C14
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 7
 |Title           = Preach
 |DirectedBy      = Steven Soderbergh
 |WrittenBy       = {{StoryTeleplay|s=[Nell Scovell](/source/Nell_Scovell) & [Emily Flake](/source/Emily_Flake)|t=Emily Flake}}
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
 |ShortSummary    = {{Plainlist|
* "More information" theme: God
* "More information" suggestions: ''[The Ten Commandments](/source/The_Ten_Commandments_(1956_film))'', ''[Oh, God! You Devil](/source/Oh%2C_God!_You_Devil)'', ''[Evan Almighty](/source/Evan_Almighty)''}}
 |LineColor       = 251C14
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 8
 |Title           = Back for the Future
 |DirectedBy      = Steven Soderbergh
 |WrittenBy       = Kurt Andersen & Larry Doyle
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
 |ShortSummary    = 
 |LineColor       = 251C14
}}
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Pendulum">{{cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Rodrigo |title=Steven Soderbergh's ''Pendulum Project'' Is A Satire Series From Writer Kurt Andersen Featuring Michael Cera, Roy Wood Jr. & Liev Schreiber [Exclusive] |url=https://theplaylist.net/steven-soderberghs-pendulum-project-is-a-satire-series-from-writer-kurt-anderson-featuring-michael-cera-roy-wood-jr-liev-schreiber-exclusive-20230126/ |website=The Playlist |date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720170644/https://theplaylist.net/steven-soderberghs-pendulum-project-is-a-satire-series-from-writer-kurt-anderson-featuring-michael-cera-roy-wood-jr-liev-schreiber-exclusive-20230126/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Trailer">{{cite web |last1=Bergeson |first1=Samantha |title=Steven Soderbergh Unveils Surprise Sci-Fi Series ''Command Z'' with Michael Cera — Watch the Trailer |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/steven-soderbergh-michael-cera-sci-fi-series-command-z-trailer-1234883909/ |website=[IndieWire](/source/IndieWire) |publisher=[Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation) |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720165139/https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/steven-soderbergh-michael-cera-sci-fi-series-command-z-trailer-1234883909/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Screening Date">{{cite web |last1=Keogan |first1=Natalia |title=Steven Soderbergh Announces Sci-Fi Series Command Z Dropping on His Website July 17 {{!}} Filmmaker Magazine |url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/122146-steven-soderbergh-sci-fi-series-command-z-dropping-july-17/ |website=[Filmmaker Magazine](/source/Filmmaker_Magazine) |publisher=Independent Filmmaker Project |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720165139/https://filmmakermagazine.com/122146-steven-soderbergh-sci-fi-series-command-z-dropping-july-17/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Metrograph">{{cite web |title=''Command Z'' - Theater 1 - Now Playing In Theater at Metrograph |url=https://metrograph.com/film/?vista_film_id=9999003391 |website=[Metrograph](/source/Metrograph) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717191238/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:k7N1Cw7MRT4J:https://metrograph.com/film/%3Fvista_film_id%3D9999003391&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&lr=lang_en%7Clang_pl |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Screening">{{cite m<!---->ag |last1=Zuckerman |first1=Esther |title=Steven Soderbergh Debuts Sci-Fi Series ''Command Z'' at Secret New York Screening |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/steven-soderbergh-command-z-secret-screening-1235538169/ |magazine=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |publisher=[Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation) |date=July 17, 2023}}</ref>

<ref name="Benefit">{{cite Mag<!---->azine |last1=Melissa |first1=Billie |title=Steven Soderbergh Launches Mysterious New Series |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/streaming/steven-soderbergh-launches-mysterious-new-series |magazine=[Men's Journal](/source/Men's_Journal) |publisher=The Arena Group |language=en |date=July 17, 2023}}</ref>

<ref name="The Daily Beast Review">{{cite web |last1=Schage |first1=Nick |title=''Command Z'' review: 'Command Z' Is a Welcome (and Very Weird) Surprise From Steven Soderbergh |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/command-z-review-steven-soderberghs-surprise-new-comedy-takes-us-to-task?ref=scrol |website=[The Daily Beast](/source/The_Daily_Beast) |publisher=[IAC (company)](/source/IAC_(company)) |language=en |date=July 17, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728211539/https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/command-z-review-steven-soderberghs-surprise-new-comedy-takes-us-to-task?ref=scrol |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Mashable Review">{{cite web |last1=Connellan |first1=Shannon |title=''Command Z'' review: Steven Soderbergh's surprise sci-fi tries to un-doom Earth |url=https://mashable.com/article/steven-soderbergh-command-z-review |website=[Mashable](/source/Mashable) |publisher=[Ziff Davis](/source/Ziff_Davis) |language=en |date=July 18, 2023 |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720165142/https://mashable.com/article/steven-soderbergh-command-z-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Collider Review">{{cite web |last1=Hutchinson |first1=Chase |title=''Command Z'' Review: Steven Soderbergh's Series Is Silly Science Fiction |url=https://collider.com/command-z-review/ |website=[Collider](/source/Collider_(website)) |language=en |date=July 17, 2023 |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720165142/https://collider.com/command-z-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|commandzseries.com/}}
* {{IMDb title|tt26470023}}

{{Steven Soderbergh}}

Category:Television shows filmed in New York City
Category:2020s American science fiction comedy television series

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Command Z](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command_Z) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command_Z?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.