 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hyperdrive
- BBC America
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Teens will scoff at corny British sci-fi comedy.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this corny British sci-fi comedy includes fairly mild sexual references (like aliens who greet strangers by licking their hands or rubbing genitals on their faces) and sexual tension and flirtatious exchanges between two main characters. Weapons of choice are laser guns that look more like kids' water guns than anything remotely dangerous, and the violence (shoot-outs with aliens, space-dwelling creatures who feast on human flesh) is far-fetched and downright phony. Teens will probably be quickly put off by the show's goofiness, but if they do tune in, rest assured that there's not too much to worry about.
What's the story?
HYPERDRIVE is set in the year 2151, when Space Force -- the British conglomerate on all things galactic -- has deployed ambassadorial teams to the far reaches of the Milky Way to establish and maintain friendly relations with alien life forms. The crew of the Camden Lock has been charged with acting as diplomats and protecting British interests throughout the galaxy, and is led by Commander Henderson (Nick Frost), whose idealism is often tried by a menagerie of extraterrestrials, as well as his own mish-mash crew. They also conduct various transactions in the name of their homeland, traveling to other planets to create an intergalactic business presence in England and peddle British wares to their alien acquaintances. Reporting to Henderson are first officer York (Kevin Eldon), a certifiable psychopath who specializes in combat; perky diplomatic officer Teal (Miranda Hart), who sees stars whenever her boss is around; techie guru Jeffers (Dan Antopolski); and anxiety-ridden navigator Vine (Stephen Evans). The Camden Lock is piloted by a Sandstrom (Petra Massey), an experimental prototype whose imperfections are kept a secret to help maintain the aura of British scientific supremacy throughout the galaxy.
Is it any good?
Chock full of cornball comedy, Hyperdrive may garner a few chuckles from viewers who can appreciate the multiple spoofs on sci-fi clichés (like oddball aliens and gadgets so technologically advanced that they outsmart human users, for example), but teens will probably roll their eyes at the goofiness and tune out. If tweens show an interest, be sure to give it a once-over first, since there are lots of sexual references that may be too much for them.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how this show might be different if it was produced in America. How is British and American humor different? What -- besides accents -- marks a show as being distinctly British? Families can also discuss our fascination with space. Do you think it's important for us to keep exploring space? Why? Are you interested in space travel? Where would you go if you could? Do you believe that alien life forms exist? How would the discovery of one change how we view our world and the galaxy?
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | BBC America |
| Cast: | Kevin Eldon, Miranda Hart, Nick Frost |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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