Ringer

Review

Common Sense Media says

Troubled twin sisters serve as doubly iffy role models.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that one of the characters in this dark drama is a recovering drug addict, and another secondary plot concerns a teen who uses drugs (and launches a complictated flirtation with her teacher). That said, the violence and sexual content here is pretty tame compared to a lot of other primetime dramas, with minimal blood and kissing and not a whole lot else that's actually seen, but rather implied. There's also some low-level language in the form of "bitch," "hell," and "damn."

  • Positive messages0
    There's an underlying message that lies and deception only invite more problems, rather than solving them. The world at large is also portrayed as a place where people commonly lie and harm others to get what they want.
  • Positive role models0
    Both Bridget and her twin have troubled lives, even though their problems are pretty much polar opposites. From drug abuse to adultery to deception, neither woman could be considered a saint.
  • Violence2
    Some scenes include struggling, choking, and shooting, but with minimal blood. That said, deaths do occur.
  • Sex3
    Regular mentions of sex and adultery, but the actions are mostly implied. Some kissing and implied sex (with bare shoulders under the sheets, etc.). The main character is a former stripper. There's also a teen character who flirts with her teacher -- and later claims he raped her.
  • Language2
    Audible words include "bitch," "hell," and "crap."
  • Consumerism3
    Some advertising (for Bing) appears on the screen during the show, and characters from the series are appearing in commercials that air in conjunction with the show.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    The main character attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings thanks to a prior drug problem and continues to struggle with sobriety, but she's six months' sober at the series' start. There's also some social drinking, along with a storyline involving a teen who's kicked out of boarding school for drug use and other characters who grapple with drug problems.
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What's the story?

On the run from a dangerous gangster after witnessing a murder out West, recovering addict Bridget (Sarah Michelle Gellar) swaps identities with her estranged twin sister, Siobhan (also Gellar), a dead RINGER who lives in the lap of luxury in East Hampton -- and mysteriously disappears in an apparent suicide at sea. But taking on Siobhan's cushy life proves far more complicated than Bridget ever imagined.

Is it any good?

 

Aside from a few scattered guest spots over the years, Gellar hasn't really been on television since her cult hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended in 2003. But while Buffy fans might flock to the CW to see Gellar back on the air in this grown-up drama, they might not like what they see when they get there. For one thing ... there's a noticeable lack of vampires.

For those who are sick of the supernatural, however, Ringer has some other things worth tuning in for, including a reasonably well-paced suspense plot and some pretty effective cliffhangers. What it doesn't have is a female lead who feels fully believable -- a significant problem considering that Gellar's pulling double duty.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about the theme of duality and the ways in which the show reinforces that theme. What types of visual cues do you see on screen, from mirrors to window reflections, that drive home the idea of seeing double? Why is that theme so important here?

  • Why are twins so compelling as a creative concept, whether it be in books (such as the Sweet Valley High series), on television (with shows like Sister, Sister), or in movies (like The Parent Trap)? Who are some of your favorite sets of twins in the media?

  • What are the real-life consequences of drug use and abuse? How accurately does the show portray the life of a recovering addict?

This review of Ringer was written by
Adult
November 11, 2011
AGE
14
 
so far so great
i have not watched mutch of this show but from what i have watched it seemes realy good but not for young kids
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Teen, 15 years old
December 16, 2012
AGE
14
 
Ringer's a winner!
If you like a good crime drama, this show is definitely for you. Sarah Michelle Gellar plays twins, Siobhan Martin, wealthy woman living on the upper east side of Manhattan with her husband and stepdaughter, and Bridget Kelly, a recovering drug addict/former exotic dancer who is on the run after witnessing the owner of the strip club she was employed at killing another dancer. Siobhan disappears and Bridget takes her place to avoid testifying. Little does she know that Siobhan's life may be even more dangerous than her own. Surprisingly, the most interesting character is Juliet Martin, played Lea Thompson's daughter Zoey Deutch, Siobhan's 15/16 year old step daughter. She is troubled at the beginning of the show, experimenting with drugs and alcohol, but later becomes clean as she bonds with Bridget. Deutch does a really great job portraying the character. Some things to watch out with this show are violence, including guns, sex (which is pretty tame), language (low-level), and some drinking and drugs. Gellar's return to TV shines is this fast paced crime drama
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This review of Ringer was written by
Topics:brothers and sisters
TV rating:TV-14
Network:CW
Cast:Ioan Gruffudd, Kristoffer Polaha, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Genre:Drama
This review of Ringer was written by
 
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