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Doctor Who

(Rated TV-PG, Science fiction , Starring Christopher Eccleston, Billie Piper, David Tennant, Where to watch: Syfy, BBC America, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Slightly silly time travel show is fine for kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    As the last of his kind, The Doctor is a true individualist, dedicated to defeating evil, whether in the form of authoritarian robots bent on galactic domination or corrupt time-traveling con artists. He's often painted as the only character who understands the true nature of the villain-of-the-week, which means he typically must subvert the well-intentioned but misguided plans of authority figures -- who usually come to realize that his plan is the best plan.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The Doctor uses his wits, not his fists, to battle his foes, though he often employs some really cool space-age tools. Some episodes feature creepy creatures.
  • Sex:

    Despite his outward appearance, The Doctor is not human and seems to have little interest in romance. His sidekick, Rose, is human, but their adventures have them skipping from place to place so quickly that there's little time for love.
  • Language:

    Despite their often-perilous adventures, The Doctor and his plucky comrades generally refrain from foul language.
  • Consumerism:

    Characters can end up on any planet in the galaxy at any point in the past present, or future, so there's little opportunity for commercial tie-ins.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    None of the characters smoke or take drugs. There are some scenes involving social drinking, but not always involving cocktails made with any liquor known on this planet.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Doctor Who

Parents need to know that this show can seem lighthearted, but underneath The Doctor's always-cool exterior and his jovial approach to even the direst circumstances are some important moral messages. Selfishness, evil, and the urge to dominate the galaxy are all frowned upon, while honesty, loyalty, and integrity will eventually win out no matter what the odds.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the basic concepts of right and wrong. Do The Doctor's actions ever fall into a gray area? Do the ends ever justify the means, even if the future of the entire world is at stake? On a more fantastical note, where (and when) would you go if you had The Doctor's abilities?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Doctor Who?
  •  I think this show is

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See all 29 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    perfect for kids but not for tweens.

    IT HAS TO BE MY FAVOURITE SHOW EVER !

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    GREAT SHOW

    I think this show is pritty good. But some episods are much more vilont than others. And incase you were wondering the doctor is a perfect rolemodel.

  3. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Doctor Who is my absolute obsession. It's not like any other telly show. It's genius. I have spent so much of my life on it! :)

  4. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    good for ages above 7

    I think dr who is a really good show it has a lot of action in it and it`s really cool with a lot of monsters in it it`s also funny and injoyable you should check it out.

  5. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Deep plots, good message, and fun

    This is a fantatic show and is an improvement on the excellent series of the 70s. The plots are deep and deal with important moral messages of war, environmental destruction, lust for power. It assumes that children have a brain and can think, which is missing in most shows. It is also funny and full of enough action to keep them interested to get the message. One episode from the 3rd season gave my 7 year old nightmares, so some caution is warranted.

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