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The Gil Mayo Mysteries

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Alistair McGowan, Jessica Oyelowo, Loo Brealey, Where to watch: BBC America)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Quirky Brit detective series is light on violence.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The main character is a hardworking, devoted single father to a teenage daughter, with whom he shares an enviably open relationship. His downfall is financial responsibility, and his inability to take control of it is contributed to his wife's leaving him. The series raises issues like drugs, alcohol, incest, and affairs without passing judgment.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    There's no violence shown, but each episode centers on a murder that's discussed at length. Murder victims are occasionally shown (a man floating face-down in a river, for example).

  • Sex:

    There's a budding romantic relationship between two main characters, but it's mostly fraught with bickering and misunderstanding rather than flirting. Allusions are made to illegitimate pregnancies, illicit affairs, and incest.

  • Language:

    Infrequent use of "ass" and "hell."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters' drug and alcohol use is discussed as it pertains to investigations, but it's not shown.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Gil Mayo Mysteries

Parents need to know that this blithe British detective show is refreshingly light on the violence, sex, and strong language that often mark primetime crime dramas like Law & Order, making it a better choice for teens and even older tweens. Murder and illegal activity are discussed only vaguely, and the brief shots of victims (floating in a river, for example) aren't likely to upset most viewers. Episode storylines often allude to topics like illegitimate affairs, drug use, and incest, but the show is much more comedy than drama. The main character is a hardworking, dedicated single dad to his teenage daughter.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why crime shows have such staying power on television. What draws viewers to shows about murder and illegal activity? Do you think that the popularity of shows about crime reflect the state of our society -- or does our society become more violent because of what's on television? Do you think these series offer an accurate portrait of detective work? Why or why not? Which series seem the most believable to you? Why? Is it OK to mix comedy with murder? Why or why not?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    eruditus
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    It's the Scooby gang without Scooby.

    The Gil Mayo Mysteries is a humorous mystery show. The program has well written witty dialogue. I is not a typical predictable mystery show. I hope that this show will be aired for many years.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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