Hart of Dixie

Review

Common Sense Media says

Quirky medical drama has heart -- and mature themes.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this medical drama is pretty mild compared to other primetime doctor/hospital shows, but it still contains some strong themes (unexpected pregnancy, infidelity, racism). Drinking and intimate scenes of adults making out are occasionally visible. The series contains cultural stereotypes of the South and some of the people who live there. 

  • Positive messages2
    The show underscores the importance of doctors treating patients like people rather than medical puzzles to be solved. It also highlights the importance of community. Occasional stereotypical references about the Deep South.
  • Positive role models1
    She doesn't always have the best bedside manner or the strongest social skills, but Zoe Hart is a talented doctor who helps patients. Some secondary characters are racist.
  • Violence2
    During occasional arguments people are threatened with cross bows, rifles, and other hunting gear. Some injuries. Blood is sometimes visible during medical procedures.
  • Sex2
    Infidelity is a theme in the show. Contains scenes of people hugging, kissing, and pulling off their shirts (occasionally undergarments are visible). Unprotected sex and unexpected pregnancy are occasional discussed in a medical context. One episode features a baby delivery.
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What's the story?

HART OF DIXIE is a quirky medical drama about a talented surgical resident who's learning how to relate to her patients. Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) is an aspiring heart surgeon who wants to follow in her father's medical footsteps. But after failing to secure an elite training fellowship in New York, she moves to Bluebell, Alabama, to take over a general medical practice that she unexpectedly inherited. The Gulf town is full of some interesting people, including its mayor, former NFL champ Lavon Hayes (Cress Williams), and Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel), her rowdy and flirtatious neighbor. She finds some common ground with New York-trained lawyer George Tucker (Scott Porter), who happens to be engaged to local Southern belle Lemon Breeland (Jaime King). Also making life interesting is Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel), Zoe's rowdy and flirtatious neighbor. It's hard to convince the locals that she belongs, but little by little she begins to feel at home in her new community...and begins to uncover their secrets.

Is it any good?

 

The series combines drama and humor in order to tell the story of a young woman who is rediscovering who she is while learning to become a better doctor. It contains some interesting plot lines about her patients, but most of the show's focus is on the romantic tensions and illicit relationships between various members of the community.

It's pretty mild compared to other doctor-centered shows, but it contains themes -- like unexpected pregnancies, infidelity, and racism -- that may not be appropriate for younger viewers. It definitely has some heart, and teens who like this kind of drama will find it very entertaining.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the cultural differences between the North and the South in the United States. Do you think the media portrays these cultures realistically, or do they rely on stereotypes to highlight their distinctions?

  • How is this show different from other TV medical dramas? How is it similar?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Teen, 15 years old
November 1, 2011
AGE
11
 
Cute story and cute plot
Update: loving it :) I love Zoe :)
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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:CW
Cast:Cress Williams, Rachel Bilson, Scott Porter
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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