Valentine - TV-14

Racy romantic comedy lacks a certain spark.

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TV Rating: TV-14
Network: CW
Cast: Kristoffer Polaha, Jaime Murray, Christine Lakin
Genre: Comedy

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this somewhat racy romantic comedy series centers on Greek gods who use mystical powers to influence people's affections for each other. One main character (the God of Erotic Love) wields a gun whose laser-like blast creates lustful feelings in its targets, often sending them scurrying for the bedroom or causing them to get naked without a second thought. Though nudity is mostly limited to women's bare backs and legs, plenty of bedroom scenes imply that sex has just occurred. There's also some sexy talk (a man thanks a woman for "toe-curling sex," for instance), and a few scenes briefly show couples in the act (a man's naked back with his partner's legs wrapped around him, etc.).

Families can talk about the messages the media sends about love and relationships. How does this series promote the idea that romance and true love are outdated? Do you agree? How has your own experience with relationships affected your impression of true love? How does this show's portrayal of romance compare to others you've seen on TV or in movies? Do you find the relationships in this series believable? Why or why not?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

The series implies that outside forces (in this case, the mysticism of Greek gods) can cause true love to blossom between people.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Characters often use alcohol to drown their sorrows over unfulfilled love. Adults in clubs drink beer, mixed drinks, and shots. In one scene, a woman vomits from drinking too much.

Violence

One character (the God of Erotic Love, no less) packs a gun that delivers laser-like jolts of affection to those struggling with love.

Sex

Brief sex scenes show couples frolicking in bed; in one, a man's back is visible, with his partner's legs wrapped around it. Other content alludes to sexual activity, including numerous instances of scantily clad couples waking up together in bed, references to "toe-curling sex," and a woman's orgasmic reaction to a love goddess' touch.

Language

Occasional use of expletives like "hell" and "ass."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

In VALENTINE, a family of mythological Greek gods blends into Los Angeles society to seek out love-weary clients and help them build relationships with their soul mates. Led by wise matriarch Grace (Jaime Murray) -- a.k.a. Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love -- the Valentines pose as everything from plumbers to movers, befriending clients and planting the seeds of true love where they're destined to bloom. Grace is assisted by her son, Danny (Kristoffer Polaha), better known as the God of Erotic Love; his best friend, Leo/Hercules (Robert Baker); and Phoebe (Autumn Reeser), a.k.a. the Goddess of the Oracle at Delphi. The Valentines also enlist the help of novelist Kate Providence (Christine Lakin), a mortal whose insight into modern-day romance may prove useful to the antiquated matchmakers.

Is it any good?

Billed as a romantic comedy, this lackluster series falls short on both love and laughs. The show's focus is on the Valentine family rather than on the characters working to find love, so there's not enough heartwarming content to appeal to viewers seeking a romance. Plus, the cast seems poorly matched and unnatural in their semi-ethereal roles, and the mediocre writing doesn't do them any favors, either.

But ultimately, Valentine suffers most from its inability to appeal to a clearly defined audience. Teens and adults will quickly tire of the unremarkable acting and predictable plot, and the show isn't a great choice for tweens since racy sexual content (couples making out, references to sexual encounters, etc.) is always a possibility. What's more, the fact that one of the gods personifies Erotic Love and administers surges of physical desire from a gun sends iffy messages to tweens and teens about the line between love and lust and how confusing the two could negatively affect a relationship.