Boston's Finest
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Unscripted, gritty series has great role models for teens.
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What's the Story?
The unscripted docuseries BOSTON'S FINEST follows the men and women of the Boston Police Department through daily duties to serve and protect the people of one of America's oldest cities. Centering on select members of the department's fugitive unit, gang unit, SWAT team, and patrol squad, the series shadows the officers on the job and also sheds light on their personal lives.
Is It Any Good?
Executive produced by Donnie Wahlberg (who plays a detective on the New York City-set cop drama Blue Bloods), Boston's Finest is as much about paying homage to the people who protect Wahlberg's hometown as it is about entertainment. And that's perfectly fine, considering the men and women profiled are well-deserving of our attention and respect -- and make great role models for impressionable young viewers. These are real heroes making real sacrifices to ensure the safety of a city they love.
True, most officers use a lot of (bleeped) salty language. But by offering a look at their professional and personal lives, Boston's Finest makes it easy to forgive those infractions in favor of appreciating the risks they take and the challenges they face every day. It's not appointment TV by any means, but it's a well-made series with positive messages that makes a sincere impression.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how an unscripted series like Boston's Finest compares to scripted shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order, and Southland. Do televised dramas overdo it when it comes to the danger and violence real officers deal with on the job?
Why does law enforcement tend to be a male-dominated profession? Why don't more women train to become police officers? Does gender really matter when it comes to catching criminals?
How real does this series feel to you? Does any of the action seem manufactured? If so, how can you tell?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 27, 2013
- Network: TNT
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 14, 2022
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