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Veronica Mars

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Harriet the Spy meets Peyton Place; teens OK.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Veronica is strong, independent, has a great relationship with her dad, and makes it a priority to stand up for the little people. But she often gets carried away in her quest to punish wrongdoers by lying, cheating, and/or breaking the law to get to the truth. Issues of race and class are integral to the show's premise.
  • Violence:

    Fights, gang violence, destruction of property. The main character is seemingly a victim of date rape.
  • Sex:

    Frank sexual innuendo, images of teenagers making out in cars.
  • Language:

    Mild profanity -- "ass," "hell," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Macintosh products are featured prominently.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Flashback scenes feature teens drinking without consequences. Drug use is treated with negative consequences. The main character is unknowingly given GHB. Her mother is an alcoholic.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Veronica Mars was written by Marjorie Kase

Parents need to know that this series features violence and sexual references. Although the program is set in high school, it deals with very adult themes -- including murder, greed, infidelity, gang violence, and date rape -- and should be prescreened before allowing kids to tune in.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the positives and negatives of high school popularity. How does Veronica's change in status affect her actions? They can also talk about the race and class issues that the show raises -- do teens see these types of problems in their own community?
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More on Veronica Mars

What’s the Story?

Set in the wealthy California town of Neptune, VERONICA MARS is the story of a plucky 17-year-old detective (Kristin Bell) whose picture-perfect popular existence is cut short when her best friend/boyfriend's sister, Lilly Kane, is murdered. After a lowlife is arrested and convicted of the crime, Veronica's dad, town sheriff Keith (Enrico Colantoni), becomes convinced that Lilly's much-admired father is the real murderer. While Keith is deposed from office for his unpopular opinions and abandoned by his wife, Veronica remains steadfastly by his side. To support himself and his daughter, Keith sets up shop as a private eye. While he investigates crimes, a now-hardened Veronica does her own work on the sly for students falsely accused of crimes.

Is It Any Good?

On the surface, Veronica Mars may appear to be yet another rich-kids-gone-bad teen melodrama, but thanks to witty dialogue, unique direction, and exceptional acting, this unpredictable neo-noir sets itself a cut above the rest. (That said, the show's storylines can often be dark, complicated, and scary for young viewers; one episode features a bus of school kids that goes off a cliff.)

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Amazing

    It's the most addictive show I've ever watched. I love it!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    the best show ever

    this is the best

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    My favorite show!

    I can't even describe how much I love this show. It even influenced my screen name (neptune09er). The characters are very refreshing and different than most of the junk on TV now. Too bad it got cancelled :(

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

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