
Backstrom
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Crime dramedy with offensive lead misses the mark.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Backstrom
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Five years after being demoted to the traffic beat for his offensiveness, Detective Lieutenant Everett Backstrom (Rainn Wilson) gets another shot at solving murders when he's reinstated to Portland's new Special Crimes Unit. His unorthodox approach to detective work doesn't sit well with his intense new counterpart, Detective Nicole Gravely (Genevieve Angelson), but even she has to admit that his intuitive insight is effective. With a talented forensic and evidence team behind the scenes and the likes of Detective Sergeant John Almond (Dennis Haysbert) on the street with him, Backstrom takes aim at the city's major crimes.
Is It Any Good?
BACKSTROM is moderately successful at the daunting challenge of blending crime drama with Wilson's considerable comic talents, but there are numerous moments in which the colliding forces are more awkward than symbiotic, coming off as confusing to viewers as they almost suggest a parody instead of a comedy. (Am I supposed to laugh? Is it trying to be serious?) Ultimately the story's darkness overrides the rest, and Backstrom's sullen, disheveled demeanor and self-sabotage fit better against this backdrop than they do against the fits of attempted levity.
Fans of producer Hart Hanson's other crime drama, Bones, will notice some similarities between the shows, particularly with regard to the cast's unique personalities that invite lots of discord and banter. The story's intended mature audience can take Backstrom's offensiveness, self-destructive impulses, and generally unappealing nature in stride, but younger viewers will get mixed messages from his caustic qualities and wholly unhealthy lifestyle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Backstrom's redeeming qualities. Does he have any? What are his motivations in his work? Does the fact that he works for the common good outweigh his many negative traits?
What are the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle? Is it something your teens ever think about? How does screen time factor into it? What are some small changes you can make in your lives to improve your general health?
Does this show's comedy/drama partnership work well? Why, or why not? How does the show hold up against more traditional police dramas?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 22, 2015
- Cast: Rainn Wilson , Dennis Haysbert , Genevieve Angelson
- Network: Fox
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: October 14, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate