In Plain Sight (USA)

common sense media says

A fresh take on girl power -- with guns, sex.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while this drama isn't exactly age-inappropriate for older teens, its strong violence (gunshot wounds, stabbings, etc.) and sexual innuendo (slang, partial nudity) make it a better fit for its intended audience -- adults. Scenes include a murdered girl is shown with her chest cut open, a woman faking an orgasm over the phone in an attempt to convince a male caller that she's having sex with another woman, and more. Language includes words like "bitch" and "ass," and characters smoke, drink, and use drugs.

Positive messages: The show pushes a clear message of girl power and shows that women can be both forceful and strong. But by making a mess of Mary's personal life, it also subtly hints that "having it all" -- whatever that means -- isn't fully possible.
Positive role models: Mary is a complex woman who excels at her job and often outshines her male colleagues, helping people in need in the process. But while her professional life is relatively under control, her personal life is messy at best. Her dysfunctional family includes a mother who's usually drunk, a sister who's usually in trouble, and an often-shirtless "friend" with benefits.
Violence: Characters suffer from relatively graphic injuries (gunshot wounds, suicides, stabbings) that usually involve blood and often end in death. Since the main character is a U.S. marshal, she carries a gun at all times and isn't afraid to use physical force to get what she wants.
Sex: The sexually charged dialogue is peppered with cheeky euphemisms for genitalia (think "Johnson" and "wee wee") and sex (a woman is assumed to be "a tight little ride"). One scene revolves around a female character faking an orgasm; in another, a woman's naked body is shown from the side as she lies face-down on a bed, although no sensitive body parts are visible.
Language: Audible language includes words like "pissed off," "douche bag," "damn," "ass" and "bitch."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters are occasionally shown using both legal (alcohol, tobacco) and illegal (cocaine, marijuana) substances.

More on In Plain Sight

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the fact that the show's central character is a strong-willed woman with visible flaws. Does Mary's habit of keeping lists tell viewers anything about her personality? As a woman working in a predominantly male field, what types of challenges does she face on the job? What techniques and/or strategies does she use to overcome them? Do you admire Mary? Why or why not? Can you think of other heroines like her on TV? Why are there more male leads in series like this than female ones?

What's the story?

What's the story?

In IN PLAIN SIGHT, Mary McCormack stars as U.S. marshal Mary Shannon, a woman who makes her living helping others as part of a highly secretive government-sponsored witness protection program. Mary's job is demanding enough without the added drama from her cocktail-guzzling mother (Lesley Ann Warren) and rebellious younger sister (Nichole Hiltz), not to mention her "relationship" with on-again-off-again boyfriend Raphael (Cristian de la Fuente). Good thing her partner (Frederick Weller) remains a platonic friend -- at least for now.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Mary is a refreshingly different kind of female role model -- the kind of woman who doesn't think twice about barging into a men's bathroom, belittling the size of a man's "equipment," and, seconds later, chucking a bar of soap at his genitals. But the show's writers also strive to make Mary real by saddling her with imperfection when it comes to her personal life. Whether this is a deliberate attempt to make her relatable or a subtle statement about whether women can truly have it all isn't clear. But maybe it's a little of both.

The show's plots can tend toward the convoluted, and secondary characters often come off as two-dimensional. But with its unique take on girl power, In Plain Sight is likely to find an audience. After all, there aren't many other shows about a take-charge kind of woman who eschews power pumps for a gun and a sensible pair of shoes.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: USA
Cast: Cristian de la Fuente, Lesley Ann Warren, Mary McCormack
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: USA

This review was written by Kari Croop
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Marshall78
parent of 3 , and 3 , 4 , 4 , 7 , 9 year old
 
Very Good Show!
We watch this show every Sunday. My husband and I record the eipsodes for later and if we agree sometimes our oldest daughter can watch it.

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ON: Content is 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