 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Gates
Common Sense Media says
Supernatural drama has vampires but is no Twilight.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this supernatural drama is filled with vampires, werewolves, and witches and all the accompanying drama surrounding their innate predatory natures and their desire to hide their secret identities. There are a few somewhat graphic attacks with a good bit of blood, as well as plenty of anguished attempts as the residents of The Gates try to keep their dangerous impulses in check. Expect a bit of language and social drinking. There's also some teen flirting, but this show is more sudsy soap than angsty Twilight.
What's the story?
Nick Monohan (Frank Grillo) is the new police chief at THE GATES, an exclusive community where everything seems perfect -- at least on the outside. But once inside the wall, he begins to suspect that the residents have some dark, supernatural secrets involving witchcraft, unbearable cravings for blood, and animalistic traits that come out when the moon is full. And just what happened to the handyman who was last seen talking to the wealthy and glamorous Claire Radcliff (Rhona Mitra)?
Is it any good?
The Gates is trying to ride the current wave of interest in all things related to vampires, werewolves, and the supernatural. It’s stylish, the characters are easy on the eyes, and it’s got all the right ingredients: a protagonist who’s got something to prove, rich people with something to hide, and several teens full of hormones and angst.
What it lacks is anything that sets it apart. There’s so much here that seems drawn from other movies and TV shows -- and so much that just doesn’t make sense. Really, who decided that vampires and werewolves should pal around? And is there really a cream the lets bloodsuckers go out in sunlight, or is that just a convenient plot device because it would be hard to film a whole series at night? So much of this series seems forced, and so little is fun.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the supernatural trend. Why are there so many movies, TV shows, and books about vampires and other supernatural beings these days? How does this series compare to some of the classics?
How does the violence in this show compare to other TV shows and movies about vampires?
Why do you think the residents of The Gates want to fit in with regular human society? Do you think they're able to pull it off?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Is It Any Good?
I read the section "Is It Any Good" and I must say that it is not as far fetched as you think. There are a lot of movies that have vampires and werewolves "paling around" together. Underworld (2003), Van Helsing (2004), to name a few. According to the movie Blade (1998), there is a cream. This is signified when Blade says to Deacon Frost, "Your mascara is running" when they both were standing in the park in broad daylight.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
You have to WANT to love it.
A good show. Although noone really knows it yet. The first episode was fascinating! I am going to keep watching at this point. I was thinking that it was going to be great and I was going to be hooked. If I hadnt preset my mind to think that, I may have been confused or bored. I was able to see them using vampires to get viewers. I am obsessed with Twilight, but I thought it was just to similar when I saw the first glimpse of a Werewolf.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I enjoyed the show very much so.
The life situations that occur on the show, mimick actual life events and also show the repercussions of such actions. Its interesting to see a paranormal televison show imploying actual life situations, with a bit of fiction involved. The premise of the show is enjoyable and quite addicting.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Frank Grillo, Marisol Nichols, Rhona Mitra |
| Genre: | Drama |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
