 | 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. |
Pan Am
Common Sense Media says
Nostalgic take on air travel plays like schmaltzy melodrama.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are some iffy messages here about sexism, thanks to the show's overly sunny and nostalgic tone. Female characters are portrayed as independent but must meet strict physical beauty standards (including regular weigh-ins); they also endure other sexist treatment from male (and a few female) colleagues that just wouldn't fly (pun intended) today. Social drinking is somewhat glamorized, too, and there's some light sexual content (mostly kissing) along with low-level language ("damn," "hell," etc.). The espionage subplot results in some tension and peril.
What's the story?
Set in the early 1960s, PAN AM chronicles the glamorous lives of stewardesses and pilots of "the jet age," a time when air travel was luxurious and exclusive. The Pan Am crew includes Maggie (Christina Ricci), a rule-skirting beatnik who loves seeing the world; Laura (Margot Robbie), a blonde beauty who's running away from others' expectations; and Laura's older sister, Kate (Kelli Garner), who pulls double duty as an international agent for the CIA.
Is it any good?
For a while, Mad Men was the only TV show capitalizing on the look and feel of the 1960s, and it did so with sleek sophistication and a devilish wink. But in light of its success (and multiple Emmy Awards), other lookalikes began to emerge, including The Playboy Club and Pan Am. The only thing the three series really have in common, however, is their time period. Because the truth is, each show's attitude and approach is entirely different.
With a sweeping soundtrack and dreamy shots of sun-streaked skies, Pan Am takes the clear position that the 1960s was a golden era -- a time when air travel was still stylish and glamorous, before passengers were cranky and cramped. It was also a time when women were still expected to look and act a certain way, and these characters are all too happy to conform -- in a near-Stepford Wives fashion -- in exchange for the freedom of seeing the world. But instead of acknowledging and exploring that intriguing slice of women's social history, the series simply glosses over it with broad, sappy strokes.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about sexism and the way that women are portrayed on the show. What role does gender play in these characters' lives? Who generally seems to be in charge, and who's generally taking care of others -- or taking orders? How have society's views about women's roles changed since the 1960s?
Would you consider the show's female characters to be "empowered," in spite of the era's blatant sexism? How were these women more independent than other women of the same period? How are they less independent than working women today?
In terms of consumerism, how does this show help promote a brand that no longer flies? Does Pan Am stand to gain -- or lose -- from the show's success?
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AGE
It's worth watching!
I thought this show is very good. Sure, the passengers have some drinks here or there, and there are some sexual themes(like the women have to look their best, affairs, etc). It does show that for the 60's, woman could be strong and independent, unlike the show, The Playboy Club, which uses women as sex objects, which got a better rating than Pan Am. Really?
I think it's iffy for 13 and under, but 14+ can handle it.
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AGE
realy good
i am a man who cant understand why CMS gave this show a two star rating when i have been watching it for the past three weeks and i love it so far and like i said i am a man so i guess some like good tv and some dont
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AGE
Too Much Sex in Recent Episodes - But Still Great Strong Women
I thought it was a wonderful time piece about strong women that stood up to make something of themselves before most women had the chance. But, it was only great until recently. Until the...5th (?) episode and beyond, it was great. Minimal cursing, next to no sex (only talk about Collette's affair with a passenger.) But Kate of course got promoted and had to sleep with a man for secrets. Then the characters starting bouncing off the walls doing it. The CIA courier plot is getting dull. Though, for any girl who does want to see the episodes without the sex (first 4 I believe are free of any) they will no doubt be empowered by seeing the flight attendants pursuing their independent lives as women in the early 60's. The best of the series so far is episode 4, "Ich Bin Ein Berliner." The women risk their lives to help someone keep theirs. Watch that one, but not the rest after.
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AGE
It Has No Plot Whatsoever!
This time period drama about the Pan Am Airlines in the 1960s is not at all good. To be frank, there was not much conflict, but the conflict there was was very mild and succeeded in making the series dull. There is 1960's style drinking and if this series was made in the 1960s, it would have very obviously been advertising Pan Am itself. Only minor curses are used in the series and there is no violence at all. I don't believe that the role models were positive. "Adventure calls" was a line from Maggie (Christina Ricci) and was aimed toward the other Pan Am stewardesses. I'm in my seat watching this, and thinking, "How can adventure call for ME? I'm only watching this on my couch, watching them have fun, but what about me? In that sense, the role models are not positive.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Christina Ricci, Kelli Garner, Mike Vogel |
| Genre: | Drama |
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