Tools for this page
Print

Dark Blue

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Dylan McDermott, Logan Marshall-Green, Omari Hardwick, Where to watch: TNT)

  • 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 15.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Complex show about undercover life is exciting but violent.

Themes in this show include:   honesty, revenge

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    For Shaw, the ends justify the means -- he's willing to break a few rules if it will help him catch his quarry, and his team members sometimes have to help their targets engage in criminal acts to maintain their cover. Consequently, the line between right and wrong often gets pretty fuzzy.

  • Role models:

    Shaw and his team constantly deal in deception as they try to gain their targets' confidence. To maintain their cover, they must sometimes engage in morally dubious behavior, and their long-term assignments can make them question who they really are.

  • Violence:

    Several intensely violent scenes, including torture and calculated murders. Criminals pull off daring heists using heavy-duty firearms and engage in full-scale gun battles with the police using automatic weapons.

  • Sex:

    Some characters flirt, sometimes strongly.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A few scenes take place in bars, where people are drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Dark Blue

Parents need to know that this violent drama about undercover cops examines the impact of lying for a living -- and how pretending to be a criminal for an extended period of time can take a toll on your psyche. To win the trust of their targets, these police officers must sometimes act like criminals themselves. Expect plenty of action involving high-stakes heists, heavy-duty shootouts, and callous, calculated brutality. Some scenes even include torture and murder. There’s also some drinking and relatively mild sexual content.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about living undercover. Do you think it would be hard to work as an undercover cop? Do other movies or TV shows address this issue? What would you do if your assignment required you to commit a violent crime or risk exposing your identity?
  • How does the show portray both criminals and law enforcement officials? What separates the two groups -- why is one heroic and the other villainous?
  • How do the cops on this team differ from those in other police shows? Do cops work together more effectively on other shows that focus on more traditional units?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Dark Blue?

  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Age 9+
    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Book of the Week

    Age 15+
    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 4+
    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.