 | 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. |
Raines
Common Sense Media says
Smart, quirky detective procedural -- with ghosts.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this detective show focuses on a single murder per episode. Scenes involving the dead body often include blood, and there are flashbacks to the crime itself. Some scenes include threats with guns or physical violence. There's the occasional punch or kick, as well as references to prostitution, sexual and physical abuse, and other mature content. The murder victims (who come back to visit the main character as ghosts) are often women.
What's the story?
RAINES stars Jeff Goldblum as the titular Los Angeles homicide detective with some unique investigation methods that include discussing the case with the apparition of the murder victim. Though he sometimes believes he's on the verge of losing his sanity, the process of working through his theories with the victim's ghost proves enormously helpful in solving the crime. In one episode, for example, after a young woman is murdered, the clues initially point to a boyfriend or abusive father. But as Raines puts the case together, his image of the woman changes -- literally. When he finds out she was involved in a shady enterprise, her ghost appears with a cigarette and cocktail in hand; her clothes shift from innocent cotton dresses to risqué costumes and back again as clues to her personality and lifestyle emerge. The ghost never offers information that Raines doesn't already have -- instead, she serves as devil's advocate, pushing the detective to test his assumptions and interrogate his evidence.
Is it any good?
Though the series' premise has the potential for Ghost Whisperer-type cheesiness, it's classed up by Goldblum's quirky persona and tight writing. Fans of crime procedurals will find familiar elements dressed up in fun new duds. Smaller roles are punched up by clever casting, like Raines' assistant, Carolyn, who's played by MADtv's Nicole Sullivan.
As with most crime-oriented shows, shots of dead bodies and details of criminal exploits are part of every episode. But in Raines, the emphasis in on the investigation rather than the crime, so tense stakeouts and looming peril are mostly absent. Teens familiar with Law & Order will see nothing more shocking than what they'd find there.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about ghosts. Do you think people can communicate with the dead? Who would you talk to if you could -- someone in your family or a historical figure? What would you say? What's the appeal of ghost stories, both traditional ones and modern twists like this, Medium, and The Sixth Sense? How is this show similar to or different from other crime dramas?
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AGE
Jeff Goldblum as Raines
For starters, I like their cast. This show wouldn't be Raines without Jeff Goldblum. The Sarcastic, witty and intelligent Raines makes this show worth watching. His vivid imagination runs away with him everytime he sees a victim's body. He is limited to what he knows and sees, as he finds out more about the victim the "ghost" personality developes and he pieces the murder mystery in his 3rd eye together faster and more interesting than Agatha Christie! Spite the rumors of its cancelation, I will continue to watch.
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AGE
The newest show I've watched so far...
I was taken in from the very first episode and continue watching to this day. My son is also a fan of the new show.
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AGE
Smart but serious
Jeff Goldblum is excellent in this show. It is very clever and smart, but I would never let my kids watch it because the topics are much too dark.
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AGE
Positive Portrayal of Mental Illness
Despite everyone's references to the murder victims' as "ghosts," Michael Raines is hallucinating, not channelling dead people. He is able to turn this disability into a tool that helps him work through the crime, but there is nothing paranormal about his abilities. Raines is a mentally ill police officer coping with his disorder. The show does a good job of portraying both the struggles and benefits of such an existance. This is an important lesson that I am disappointed no one else has picked up on. Kids, and adults, need to see mentally ill people who are heros, not villians or victims.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | NBC |
| Cast: | Jeff Goldblum, Matt Craven, Nicole Sullivan |
| Genre: | Drama |
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