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MI-5

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Peter Firth, Rupert Penry-Jones, Nicola Walker, Where to watch: BBC America, DVD)

  • 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?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Violent British terror drama raises big questions.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Government agents put their lives on the line on a daily basis to fight global terrorism and maintain citizens' safety. But their methods include lying to the people they love, using threats and bribes to force others' assistance, assuming fake identities, and forging insincere relationships with unwitting accomplices. They can also alter personal and financial information to take down terrorist groups and other criminals.

  • Violence:

    Guns and other weapons (bombs, biological warfare, etc.) are used frequently; in at least one scene, a woman is shot in the head at close range. In multiple scenes, characters are beaten, burned, cut, and stabbed.

  • Sex:

    Occasional references to sexual activity include comments like "I'm banging your sister" some kissing scenes.

  • Language:

    Sporadic use of words like "damn" and "s--t" (unbleeped).

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Many characters (all adults) drink and/or smoke in social and business settings.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About MI-5

Parents need to know that this suspenseful British spy action-drama isn't for the faint of heart. It features a hefty amount of realistic, bloody violence, including stabbings, brutal beatings, and gunplay. Characters are also bound and gagged, taken hostage, held at gunpoint, and killed onscreen. Storylines often reflect real-world events, so topics like race violence, domestic abuse, illegal immigration, and terrorism are common. The main characters are government agents who, although admirably courageous, must lie to their families about their work; forge false relationships to gather intelligence; and use bribery, threats, and even violence to accomplish their goals.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media deals with terrorism. Do shows like this offer a realistic portrait of the issue? Why or why not? How does this British series compare to American shows like 24, which handle similar themes/topics? What role does violence play on both sides of the issue? Which makes more of an impact on you -- a show that's based on fact or one that's totally fiction? Why? Families can also discuss whether it's OK for the agents to use tactics like deception and violence to get results. Is it acceptable for the "good guys" to cross the line? why or why not?
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