To be honest, this show is a breath of fresh air in the land of TV crime drams. The plots are refreshing rather than repetetive, and don't depend on the headlines to make a story. The characters however, are what makes it. They're interesting and play off each other wonderfully, and kids are sure to pick out people in their own lives who "fit the mold" of leader or partner. It's not so much stereotyping as it is providing characters whose role is grounded more in a fictional world than trying to be "real". Some parents may be concerned about the sexual content and launguage used in the show, but often times, kids will hear much worse from their friends at school, so it's an oppurtunity to talk to them about why that kind of language or behavior isn't appropriate for them. The show regularly deals with recurring themes of family, loyalty, trust, and teamwork, and each of the characters have good values and morals and believe in their work. There are also "the rules" which is something like an informal moral code the agents follow. NCIS is also a very diverse show. The agency is portrayed as having a African-American director, one of the main characters is devoutly jewish, and another is Italian. The criminals come from different backgrounds and the reasons for their actions rarely fall back to race. Despite the sometimes sexsist attutudes on the show, it goes to lenghts to show that women can be smart, strong, powerful, and respectable people without being sex objects. In the current season, there has been a subplot dealing with one of the characters becoming a US citizen and what the process entails, both officially and emotionally. The respectful and honorable way that NCIS deals with the military and counterterrorism, especially in these times, is also commendable. Becasue of the show's "crime" theme and sometimes inaaproprate content, I'd reccomend this show for children ten years and over, though some episodes are okay for younger children, at parents' discretion.
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NCIS
(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Michael Weatherly, Where to watch: CBS, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Upbeat but average crime show -- older teens OK.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About NCIS
Parents need to know that this military investigative drama depicts graphic crime scenes that include blood, gunshot holes, and dead bodies (some of which have been mutilated). Autopsies can also be somewhat graphic, though certain body parts are blurred out. The main characters engage in adult humor, though the content is generally mild. The series reinforces some stereotypes, while others are made more complex.
Read our full review by Sierra Filucci
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about any stereotypes they witness while watching. Does the male and female characters' behavior on the show reinforce or combat stereotypes? What's the difference between male and female sexuality on the show? How does humor work on the show? Who makes the jokes, and who is the butt of the jokes? What does this mean?
Our Members Say
See all 38 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Whole-hearted reccommed for tweens and up.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
perfect for most likely 10-11 +
this does have some non-appropriate stuff yea i agree but im 10 turning 11 soon and ive watched it almost all my life .....i have never been affected by it yes it does have grousome things i know but i would think if you can handle watching CSI or LAW AND ORDER....or even Elmo today you could watch MOST eps. of NCIS now some i wouldnt recommened for someone under 10-11 but if you could handle the grousome features and language or the thing DinNozZo or Ziva or even "ducky",abby,jenny or McGee says then i think it would be OK if you have a parent watching it with u! but you must remember this tv show is based on a real agency and i could inspire you to do things you wouldnt imagine doing! and i even once thought of going to war because of ncis.....now i would NEVER approve how "abby" dresses for young adults but someone who likes crime/mystery shows MUST see NCIS....i would recommend that a child does NOT watch the ep. "undercovers" because of sexually graphic language and some of what how they act.....a quote like (ziva knees him) "now that was definatly NOT your knee" i would not recommened that ep. or some more rare eps which they RAREly show often but i do approve because it is a real agency and teachs some younger kids what the real world is like and what happens each day
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
Prefer my teen doesn't watch but don't get hyper if she does
Extremely well written and with fine acting, this is a good show for the adults in the household.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My highlights are:
e.g. great show for older kids.
I think it's a an awesome show, but it's for older kids.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
If you like CSI, You'll Love this!
LOVE IT!!!! It is really funny but also full of murders, kidnapping and disappearing. Some of the episodes are more violent then others. There is some talk of sex but not much. A must-see show.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 80% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 60% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 40% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 40% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 40% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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