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Caitlin's Way
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this family-friendly drama, which originally aired in Canada from 2000-2002, centers on a troubled teen foster child. Although the series was positioned as a teen drama, it's definitely on the mild side (especially compared to more current shows like Gossip Girl) and has plenty of strong messages about family, friendship, and making positive choices. But it does tackle some serious subjects, like juvenile delinquency and the death of a parent.
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What's the story?
CAITLIN'S WAY follows Caitlin Seeger (Lindsay Felton), a troubled foster teen from Philadelphia whose hobbies include photography and defying authority. After getting arrested and kicked out of high school, she moves to Montana with distant relatives in order to avoid serving time in juvenile hall. Adjusting to her new life on a ranch with her second cousin Dori (Cynthia Belliveau), Dori's husband Jim (Ken Tremblett), and Dori and Jim's teenage son Griffin (Jeremy Foley) leads to lots of culture shock, but it also leads to some great surprises, including a close bond with a wild horse named Bandit. Caitlin also discovers that having a home -- and a family -- isn't such a bad thing after all.
Is it any good?
This earnest, family-friendly series highlights the importance of friendship and family, as well some of the challenges teens face when trying to "fit in" with the kids around them. Though she's sometimes rebellious, Caitlin's rather bohemian persona make her fun and easy to identify with. Meanwhile, her love of photography reminds young viewers to pursue a hobby that they love.
Although this teen drama is pretty tame (especially by today's standards), it does touch on some serious subjects -- including juvenile delinquency and the death of a parent. And Caitlin doesn't always make the best choices. But she learns from her mistakes, and as a result proves to be a positive role model for tweens and young teens. Bottom line? This show offers lots of positive messages and is a fun viewing choice for tweens and up.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how teen dramas have changed over the years. Do you think the edgier content in current shows reflects how teens have changed over the years, or is it simply a reflection of the media industry? Do all of today's shows have more mature content, or are some OK for younger viewers? Families can also discuss what life can be like for a foster child. Why do kids end up in foster care? What are some of the challenges that foster children face on a daily basis?
TV details
- Premiere date: March 11, 2000
- Cast: Cynthia Belliveau, Ken Tremblett, Lindsay Felton
- Network: TeenNick
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: High School, Horses and Farm Animals
- TV rating: TV-Y7
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