Beyond the Break - TV-PG

Surf's down on this soggy, sexy teen drama.

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Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-PG
  • Network: The N
  • Cast: Suzie Pollard, Erik Aude, Sonia Balmores
  • Genre: Drama
  • >Available On: Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that characters spend most of each episode in their swimsuits. The female lead characters (17 and under) live with an older, attractive male surf coach in a house, without any parents. One teen runs away from home and has an alcoholic mother and an abusive father-figure. She also has a criminal history for stealing and drinks herself unconscious. Teens manipulate others to get what they want. Some of the girls are assertive, which may be perceived as using their sexuality to influence others -- which also happens. A threesome is implied, and there is some kissing.

Families can talk about focusing on goals and going after what you want. How far would teens' parents be willing to let them go to achieve their goal in sports, education, or a future career? Do kids think the series' set-up is realistic? Would real teens be this wild/mature/focused if they were given this kind of responsibility and freedom?

Message

Social Behavior:

Lacey has an abusive father figure and an alcoholic mother, has a criminal record, turned to drinking herself, and ran away from home -- but claims she wants to start fresh; Birdie has to work in addition to surfing to pay student loans; all females are strong willed and assertive at getting what they want; the cast is diverse.

Consumerism:

Red Bull, Land Rover, Toyota.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

A teen drinks herself unconscious; an adult character drinks and smokes; an alcoholic mother and her boyfriend make appearances.

Violence

Fist fights.

Sex

Sexual innuendos ("your long-board is out past the breakers"); implied nudity; an implied threesome; a boy is caught with another girl (off-screen) and she runs outside wearing only a sheet; kissing; a playboy surfer manipulates and hooks up with various girls.

Language

Mild: "bitch-ass," "worthless stoner," "dumbass."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Jill Hipps

BEYOND THE BREAK washes over the lives of six teenage surfers: wealthy princess Dawn (Suzie Pollard), smart and sassy Birdie (Tiffany Hines), bad-girl Lacey (Natalie Ramsey), level-headed Kai (Sonya Balmores), bad-boy-next-door Bailey (Ross Thomas), and sidekick Shoe (Jason Tam). Thanks to a sponsorship from WaveSync, the wannabe surfers are given room and board -- complete with a former-surfing-legend-turned-coach, Justin (David Chokachi) -- and the chance to be competitive professionals. The four main female characters come from diverse backgrounds and bring many of their issues into the house. Fights ensue over boys, money, and surfing, and the girls are forced to learn life lessons without parental supervision. At the end of the day, friendships and bonds are formed, but not without a "whodunit" angle to keep the drama alive until the next episode.

Is it any good?

2

The show's visuals are more appealing (or appalling) than its storylines. The series is shot on location in Oahu, Hawaii, but the sandy beaches and crushing waves play second fiddle to teens constantly sporting their bikinis, washboard abs, short shorts, and glistening muscles -- all of which are prominently featured in slow-motion images as they surf the waves. The editing plays more like a music video than a TV series, and the scenes leave little room for character-driven plots.

To a distracting degree, Chokachi, a former Baywatch babe himself, is too young and attractive to play a realistic father-figure living with four 17-year-old girls. In the end, the show is entirely too sexual to drive home any real value or even warrant status as a "guilty pleasure" drama like The O.C. or Blue Crush.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

1


Posted on 07/14/07 by NewYorkJetz Kid contributor, age 9
5


Posted on 07/12/07 by anna101 Kid contributor, age 13
0


Posted on 02/22/07 by mbaker08 Adult contributor

Make a Sex Tape and You Too can Be Hired for a Kids Show!

Beyond the Break just signed Kim Kardashian to appear on their show. She is the latest to appear in a raunchy sex tape. She's half-heartedly protesting, so it seems to be clearly a publicity ploy. This is a really bad message to send to our kids. That woman shouldn't go near a kids' show with a 10-ft. pole. Let her get a job with Playboy.
5

Posted on 07/06/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5


Posted on 06/18/06 by MyTime13 Kid contributor, age 13

I like the way it's going.

The beginning of Beyond the Break was a little unrealistic.. but I think this is going to be a great show. It is just beginning so for the people that don't really enjoy it or whatever give it some time. This show talks about some things that could happen in a way and when it does get kinda, unrealistic, that's pretty much some of the fun in things. For me, I'm 13 almost 14 years old.. and watching this doesn't really seem like a problem to me. If it does for you then just don't watch it. GREAT SHOW, I think anyway.
4


Posted on 06/03/06 by soccer girl7 Kid contributor, age 12

I enjoyed it!!!!!!!

This is a great show, but is very involved in sexual activities. It may not be apropiate for 12 and under, but it is an awesome show!

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

0


Posted on 02/22/07 by mbaker08 Adult contributor

Make a Sex Tape and You Too can Be Hired for a Kids Show!

Beyond the Break just signed Kim Kardashian to appear on their show. She is the latest to appear in a raunchy sex tape. She's half-heartedly protesting, so it seems to be clearly a publicity ploy. This is a really bad message to send to our kids. That woman shouldn't go near a kids' show with a 10-ft. pole. Let her get a job with Playboy.
5

Posted on 07/06/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

1


Posted on 07/14/07 by NewYorkJetz Kid contributor, age 9
5


Posted on 07/12/07 by anna101 Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 06/18/06 by MyTime13 Kid contributor, age 13

I like the way it's going.

The beginning of Beyond the Break was a little unrealistic.. but I think this is going to be a great show. It is just beginning so for the people that don't really enjoy it or whatever give it some time. This show talks about some things that could happen in a way and when it does get kinda, unrealistic, that's pretty much some of the fun in things. For me, I'm 13 almost 14 years old.. and watching this doesn't really seem like a problem to me. If it does for you then just don't watch it. GREAT SHOW, I think anyway.
4


Posted on 06/03/06 by soccer girl7 Kid contributor, age 12

I enjoyed it!!!!!!!

This is a great show, but is very involved in sexual activities. It may not be apropiate for 12 and under, but it is an awesome show!
Review It
What do your kids do online?
Surf
34%
Homework and research
19%
Download music
10%
Chat with friends
37%
132 votes