| 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. |
Parents need to know that this emotional drama explores heavy themes like the loss of a parent, raising a special needs child, and the interconnectedness of all humans. Violence -- including bombings, car accidents, and references to 9/11 -- is part of some storylines. There are also a few references to sexuality, some mild language, and occasional social drinking.
Kiefer Sutherland stars in TOUCH as Martin Bohm, a former reporter, 9/11 widower, and single father. His son, Jake (David Mazouz), is an emotionally challenged 11-year-old who won't speak, resists human contact, and is obsessed with numbers. Over time, Martin realizes that his son isn't just trying to communicate with numbers but is actually using Fibonacci number sequences (numeric sequences that connect seemingly unrelated things) to predict events before they happen. With the help of Professor Arthur Teller (Danny Glover) and social worker Clea Hopkins (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), Martin follows the roadmaps created by Jake's numeric sequencing in order to understand what it is that his son is telling him -- and to potentially stop something from happening. As a result, he changes the destiny (often unknowingly) of different people around the world.
This intelligent, well-written series tells an interesting story by combining the events of 9/11, mathematical theory, and the challenges that come with raising a child with special needs to create a backdrop for each episode's story. Watching how each narrative impacts select individuals around the world is also very compelling.
While Jake's gifts are somewhat supernatural, the show does a good job of highlighting the complex challenges that come with trying to communicate with a child who can't do so in traditional ways. It also reminds us that people, like numbers, are interconnected in ways that we can't even dream of.
Families can talk about how disability is portrayed in the media. What messages do you get about the boy's abilities and disabilities from Touch? How accurately does the show depict living with a disability? Do you think fictional shows are suited to help educate viewers about disorders like autism, etc.?
How do numbers come into play in this show? Do you think math is a good way of understanding how the world works? Do you think shows like this one could make math more interesting to teens?
| Topics: | magic and fantasy, misfits and underdogs |
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Fox |
| Cast: | David Mazouz, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kiefer Sutherland |
| Genre: | Drama |