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Special Unit 2

(Rated TV-PG, Science fiction , Starring Michael Landes, Alexondra Lee, Danny Woodburn, Where to watch: Syfy, Syndicated)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    MIB copycat offers so-so horror comedy.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The officers of Special Unit 2 operate in secrecy, and don't necessarily have to follow the standard rules when it comes to police procedure. Monsters in custody are generally informed that the basic Constitutional rights apply only to humans, which opens the door to a wide variety of unsavory interrogation tactics. Not much compassion here. One of the characters is constantly plotting robberies.

  • Violence:

    Since the show is centered on cops who hunt down monsters (with weapons), there's plenty of action and lots of detailed discussion about the best way to destroy the various creatures (one of the characters seems to enjoy killing the beasts a bit more than seems healthy). But there's little blood or gore, and the show has a humorous tone.

  • Sex:

    No sex or nudity, but there's a fair amount of sexual tension and innuendo between the two main characters.

  • Language:

    Some explicit language, including "ass" and "oh sh--" (which is clearly recognizable, even though it isn't completed on screen).

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One character certainly enjoys his smokes, but otherwise there's little smoking or drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Special Unit 2

Parents need to know that, like Men in Black, this show mixes comedy with monster hunting. Though the show plays this concept for laughs, treating monster-hunting more as a sport than a dangerous avocation, many of the creatures can be quite scary, especially for young viewers (undermining all that work parents have done to convince kids that nothing goes bump in the night!). Some beasts take humans hostage, including children, which can make the situation seem even more threatening. Watch out for sci-fi weapons, a bit of language (mostly "ass" and the like), and some smoking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the enduring popularity of monster movies and shows. This series takes a lot of liberties with classic monster legends, which may not sit well with purists. (Who knew that gnomes are all inveterate thieves, for example, or that werewolves can be cured of their lunar malady?) How do these portrayals differ from the classic legends? And since just about every other mythical bogeyman makes an appearance here, why does the show go to such lengths to make it clear that vampires are total fantasy? Families can also discuss whether it's OK to kill these beasts. Human murderers go to prison, so why is it OK to dispatch a non-human killer without remorse?
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