The Unit - TV-PG

Weak military action-drama best for teens and up.

TV Rating: TV-PG Network: CBS Cast: Dennis Haysbert, Scott Foley, Regina Taylor, Audrey Marie Anderson Genre: Drama
Available on: DVDDownload

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that in addition to the violence inherent in its military action sequences, this unexciting series deals with adult themes of adultery, domestic violence, drinking, and miscarriage. Women and men hold stereotypical roles, and children are mostly seen but not heard. Terrorists, at least early in the first season, are Muslim only.

Families can talk about traditional male and female roles and how they've changed in the last several decades. Why don't we see women in more combat roles? And what about killing and torture? Under what circumstances are these acts acceptable? How different do you think the real-life military is from the fictionalized military portrayed in television and movies?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

In CBS's latest action-drama, an elite military special forces team fights terrorism at home and abroad while, back at the base, their wives hold down the home front while worrying about their husbands' safety. If you're thinking it sounds like a macho drama full of explosions and stereotypes, you're right.

Dennis Haysbert, who played President David Palmer on 24, leads the team as Jonas Blane. In THE UNIT, he leaves his presidential suits behind and dons Afghani attire or camouflage while bombing arms dealers or rescuing airplane hostages with the help of his crew, which includes newbie Bob Brown (Scott Foley from Felicity).

Back at the base, Molly Blane (Regina Taylor) serves as the matriarch, helping to acclimate Kim Brown (Audrey Marie Anderson) to the secretive life of a special forces wife while keeping an eye on the emotional and spiritual lives of the rest of the women. When the men come home, the wives tread carefully, knowing that their husbands have been under enormous stress. The husbands unwind with a stiff drink or by throwing furniture around.

This male-female dichotomy, while potentially realistic in some military homes, isn't portrayed with any critical distance. The idea that the woman's role is to care for the home and family while providing an emotional safe haven for her stoic, hard-working husband is only reinforced by the dialogue ("If he's anything like mine, he's gonna need a little space.") and the action (when the new guy looks at photos of his wife and daughter before beginning a dangerous mission, Blane tells him the best way to get home to them is to put the photos away and concentrate on the mission).

The Unit has some impressive talent backing it up. Playwright and filmmaker David Mamet writes and directs some episodes and shares executive producing credits with Shawn Ryan, creator of the Emmy-winning The Shield. But while bits of Mamet-esque dialogue pop up here and there, the stories so far are unimpressive and trite.

Violence plays a big part in the show, though it doesn't reach the graphic heights of 24. Guns are big and plentiful, and in the first episode, Brown slits a terrorist's throat rather gruesomely and Blane shoots a mule point-blank as a distraction device. The violence doesn't end back at home, either, with hints of domestic violence complicated by adultery.

Despite the mostly strong actors and the talent behind the camera, The Unit rehashes familiar territory, adding only the female aspect to the mix, and doing it without panache.

Fans of the show may also enjoy 24 and Alias.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Passionate kissing, couples in bed together, adultery, some sexual language.
Violence Gunplay, exposions, minor blood, mild torture, hints of domestic violence.
Language Some adult language. "Sorry's what you tell your girlfriend when you finish too quick."
Message
	Social Behavior The main characters are good guys, fighting for justice with good intentions. One main character is rough and has a history of domestic violence. Gender stereotypes are inherent to the storyline. Terrorists, so far, are exclusively Muslim. One recurring character is in wheelchair.
	Commercialism Corona and Budweiser beer and Jack Daniels bottles appear briefly.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco All of the main characters drink alcohol. Drinking is portrayed as a method for being oneself or relieving stress.