 | 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. |
Legend Quest
- Syfy
- Genre: Educational
Common Sense Media says
Fast-paced archaeological series plays loose with facts.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this historical docu-series features occasional moments of violence in the form of brief animated segments depicting warfare from the past. Though there is little else in the way of questionable content, the show's fast-paced momentum coupled with reliance on minor historical details might make it difficult for very young viewers to keep up. It's also unclear how historically accurate the series may be; for example, an episode claims to have uncovered the location of the Ark of the Covenant, when in the end there is only a slim possibility that the Ark is actually where the host claims it may be.
What's the story?
LEGEND QUEST is a fast-paced docu-series that follows Ashley Cowie, a symbologist who specializes in utilizing his skills to attempt to uncover some of history's biggest mysteries. Hopping around the world with his field producer Kinga Philipps, Cowie utilizes close examination of old buildings and artwork to help him patch together a possible location for some of the millennia's most sought artifacts, from the Ark of the Covenant to King Arthur's sword Excalibur.
Is it any good?
Spending time with Legend Quest host Ashley Cowie is equal parts exhilarating and obnoxious. He's clearly an intelligent man with a deep resevoir of knowledge about ancient cultures and historical artifacts. Yet he leaps so quickly from conclusion to conclusion, and does so with an unfounded certainty about his results. At times, field producer Kinga Phillips (who appears to have been enlisted as an on-camera talent just so that Cowie has someone to talk to) simply stares blankly at Cowie while he prattles quickly about how a two-headed eagle found on the wall of a church in Ethiopia must certainly point the way toward a secluded chapel in France.
Legend Quest plays so fast and loose with its history that it's hard not to watch the show and question what you're hearing, especially when Cowie acts so certain he's the one who has somehow beaten centuries' worth of odds and uncovered something like the Ark of the Covenant. Slowed down a few notches and supported with a clearer historical background, Legend Quest could be a great show for families who love to learn about history. Instead, it leaves viewers breathless and detached.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how technology may have helped the host make his archaeological investigations. How do you think he made all these discoveries?
How do you know whether the host's claims are historically accurate? Can you be sure that something is true because it's on television? What other tools can you use to verify the facts presented on the show?
Do you think you would ever want to undertake these kind of historical expeditions? Why or why not?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Show is a Waste'
This show is worthless. The guy never finds anything he is looking for. Every show ends with him in a small crawlspace saying he thinks he is as close to the goal as anyone has ever been. This is a joke. Do yourself a favor and do not waste your time. It is 60 minutes you will never get back of your life.
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AGE
Legend Quest
Legend Quest is great for kids. They seem to love the adventure and danger aspects but most of all - the stories are simple and interesting. The show encourages children to ask questions and could be a great tool to get your kids into history. The host is a Scot called Ashley Cowie. He has a wonderfully clear Scottish voice and passion unbound. My only criticism is the pace at which the show unfolds - its super quick. I suppose in the days of computers, smartphones and the internet, the speed of delivering information has speeded up, but Legend Quest would have been even better if they gave an hour to each artifact.
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AGE
So bad it's great.
It's like a 60 minute show riddled with 5 minutes of questionable history, and 55 minutes of horrible dialog/commentary.
It's hard to describe, but the show's two stars could easily be dropped into a late night infomercial, trying to sell the latest snake-oil.
The logical leaps are almost too painful to watch, but too funny to turn off.
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AGE
Oliver Stone meets Indiana Jones?
The best parts of the show are the beautiful location shots, and Kinga Phillips's ability to keep a straight face while listening to her co-host spin his unlikely yarns. Harmless entertainment as long as you understand how far this is from real archaeology. If a kid is interested in this kind of thing, however, Legend Quest might provide an opportunity to analyze the numerous flaws in reasoning, wild assumptions, and unproven assertions; maybe read up on the topic afterward through more legitimate sources, to see what was being left out.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Syfy |
| Cast: | Ashley Cowie, Kinga Philipps |
| Genre: | Educational |
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