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HawthoRNe (TNT)

common sense media says

Heartfelt but mature drama from a nurse's point of view.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series about a headstrong nurse who will stop at nothing to help her patients includes some bloody images of patients and salty language like "bitch" and "s--t." There is also some sexual innuendo and some pushing, shoving, and arguing. Teens should be able to handle it, but the inappropriate way that Hawthorne's daughter talks to her doesn't send the best message. Sensitive viewers may also find Hawthorne's struggle to cope with her husband's death hard to watch.

Positive messages: Hawthorne is extremely pro-patient, but she often violates hospital protocol, as well as using her work to deal with the loss of her husband. Doctors are frequently shown looking down on nurses. An international doctor with an extreme accent accuses Nurse Sullivan of not speaking English. Hawthorne is a single mother; her daughter, Camille, often talks to her mother inappropriately. The hospital's staff is diverse.
Violence: Occasional pushing, shoving, and other rough behavior. Some scenes show bloody patients being found or wheeled into the hospital; one suicidal patient is shown standing on a rooftop ledge and then on the pavement with bloody wounds.
Sex: Some sexual innuendo, including references to “sexy” paramedics and subtle references to sexual pleasure when female nurses touch male patients.
Language: Language includes words like “damn," "hell," “bitch,” and (infrequently)  “s--t”.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Frequent references to prescription medications. Some patients are addicts.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how nurses and doctors are portrayed in the media. Is thier work as dramatic as it is on television? Do doctors and nurses have the same kind of camaraderie and/or face the same kind of antagonism in real life? Families can also discuss nurses' training. Why do some people choose to become nurses rather than doctors?

What's the story?

What's the story?
HAWTHORNE stars Jada Pinkett Smith as Christina Hawthorne, a driven nurse who will stop at nothing to help her patients at Richmond Trinity Hospital. She's supported by fellow nurse/best friend Bobbie Jackson (Suleka Mathew) and Ray Stein (David Julian Hirsh), a male nurse who's having a tough time being accepted in the female-dominated profession. Also joining the team is young nurse Candy Sullivan (Christina Moore). While Hawthorne fights for her patients' rights and well being, she struggles with the loss of her husband and raising her rebellious teenage daughter Camille (Hannah Hodson). This becomes especially difficult when working alongside Dr. Tom Wakefield (Michael Vartan), the oncologist who treated her husband.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This character-driven series features all of the drama you'd expect from a medical show, but from the nurses' point of view. It highlights the struggles that nurses face while trying to help their patients and simultaneously dealing with patronizing doctors and an extremely bureaucratic medical system. The humanity behind what nurses do is driven further home by their personal stories -- particularly Hawthorne's struggle to let go of her husband.

While the show has plenty of heart, it's relatively strong content makes it a better fit for older audiences. There are lots bloody images of the sick and wounded and a fair bit of salty language. And some of the exchanges between Hawthorne and her daughter aren't always the most appropriate, either. But for teens and adults who like a good medical drama, this one will be sure to please.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: TNT
Cast: Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Vartan, Suleka Mathew
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: TNT
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

iluvmyipod
teen, 17 years old
14
 
!!!!
Jada Pinkett Smith nails this shows. Without her great acting it would be nothing. She makes this show what it is. When you watch this show, you realize how thankful you should be and how hard life truly is.
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Grocery
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Awesome
Usual medical drama content, like language, partial nudity, ect., but Jada Pinkett Smith is a wonderful actress, making HawthoRNe one of the most powerful dramas of all time.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
Angel3
adult
15
 
Great show to watch with your tweens and especially teens
The relationship between Christina Hawthorne and her daughter Camille is something teens/tweens can handle. Perhaps they can get a bird's eyeview of what their parent's go through trying to be be there for their kids and hold down their jobs. It can also help parents see what their teens/tweens may be going through and it can help open up lines of communication and deal with issues of trust beween them. I strongly suggest watching as a family to really benefit from the show and discuss it together.
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chilli
adult
17
 
perfect for a family to watch
love it
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
ayan9876
teen, 16 years old
11
 
love it
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nuh-tah-shha
kid, 12 years old
15
 
perfect for 15+
even thought she's learning how to deal with the loss of her husband she seems dedicated to do all she can make sick patients better......i think the show is good especially for interns who wants to become nurses except they need to follow rules
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)

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