Feel the Force (BBC America)

common sense media says

Scottish lasses cause mayhem on the force.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this British sitcom features an office love triangle (with a gay twist) that results in a female character practically throwing herself at the object of her affection. The flirtation sometimes turns physical, as when she rubs and thrusts her body against his to get his attention. Comic violence includes some brief bloody scenes (mostly limited to the police department's pathology lab) and draped dead bodies, though taser guns are occasionally used to subdue characters. This series isn't for kids, and its sexual content -- though still mild by most primetime standards -- make it iffy for tweens as well.

Positive messages: A main character is very nonchalant about her job and has a crush on a co-worker that borders on obsession.
Violence: Comic violence includes people shocked by taser guns and brief shots of bloody body parts on the floor of a police pathology lab. Police carry guns and steel batons, but they're rarely shown.
Sex: Lots of blatant flirting and some sexual body language (a woman thrusts her pelvis against a man, for instance). A male character harbors a crush on a same-sex co-worker.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Adults drink occasionally in social settings, but their indulgence is often followed by a hangover the next day.

More on Feel the Force

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how law enforcement is portrayed in the media. Does this series give a positive or negative impression of the police? Why? What aspects of law enforcement are played for laughs? How does the series compare to American crime shows? Families can also touch on the challenges of working with teammates. Teens: How do you respond to teammates who are less dedicated than you? How can you influence their work ethic? If you wind up picking up their slack, how does that make you feel?

What's the story?

What's the story?
British comedy series FEEL THE FORCE centers on the mismatched police duo of Sally Bobbins (Michelle Gomez) and Sally Frank (Rosie Cavaliero). Serious and goal-oriented, Bobbins has her sights set on being the country's chief of police, but she finds her efforts hampered by her own over-eagerness and the short attention span of her lackluster partner, Frank. The only things that irk Bobbins more than her partner's constant interference in investigations are Frank's occasional strokes of luck -- which upstage Bobbins' gumshoeing efforts. But Bobbins' frustration with Frank is nothing compared to Sergeant Beesley's (Leigh Zimmerman) irritation with the two accident-prone Sallys. Meanwhile, Bobbins' and Frank's rivalry with fellow PCs MacBean (Jamie Michie) and MacGregor (Emun Elliot) often heats up during investigations -- as does Frank's obsessive, unrequited crush on the uninterested MacBean and MacBean's secret longing for the unsuspecting MacGregor, who's staunchly heterosexual and has eyes only for the beautiful but hard-nosed Beesley.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Feel the Force puts the "fun" in dysfunction on the job, mining its quirky characters and exaggerated storylines for comedy that's in no way mentally taxing. The only major road hazards are the strong sexual overtones -- particularly Frank's complete obsession with MacBean -- that accompany the office love triangle, so check it out before giving teens the go-ahead.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: BBC America
Cast: Leigh Zimmerman, Michelle Gomez, Rosie Cavaliero
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: BBC America

This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age