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Kidnapped

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Delroy Lindo, Jeremy Sisto, Carmen Ejogo, Where to watch: NBC, DVD, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Violent serial drama lacks real suspense.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    When it comes to morality, it's a slippery slope -- and absolute role models are hard to find. Almost every character dabbles in dishonesty at least once, although illegal deeds are usually done in pursuit of a positive outcome.

  • Violence:

    Although gory violence isn't a persistent theme, it's pretty graphic (and often bloody) when it pops up. Guns appear in just about every episode, with a few fiery explosions thrown in to spice things up. Within the first five minutes of the first episode, a man is shown getting his head blown off with a gun at close range in the presence of two minors, and blood splatters all over the inside of an SUV.

  • Sex:

    Nothing obvious, although there are allusions to one character's extra-marital affairs.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Kidnapped

Parents need to know that this dramatic thriller isn't a show for young children -- or for the faint of heart. Violence, though not constant, is strong and harsh (for example, a man is shown getting his head blown off at close range in the presence of two minors, complete with blood spatters), and the subject matter -- kidnapping -- could upset sensitive viewers. On the plus side, despite the show's graphic scenes, its language remains surprisingly clean. The characters are complex and conflicted, and none are clear role models.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether they see any part of themselves in the dysfunctional clan at the center of the action. How can parents connect with teenagers on a meaningful level without driving them away or turning them off? Teens might want to think about what they would do if they were abducted. Would they wait for help or try to save themselves? And is it ever OK to break the law in pursuit of a positive goal -- i.e., saving your life or that of your child?
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