Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Time travel sci-fi with bloodless violence, tough heroine.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
The Canadian import CONTINUUM is a dramatic science fiction series starring Rachel Nichols as Protective Services Officer Kiera Cameron, who finds herself transported from the year 2077 to 2012 during the state execution of a terrorist group. Liber8, the group comprised of masterminds like Matthew Kellog (Stephen Lobo), geneticist Sonya Valentine (Lexa Doig), and warrior Travis Verta (Roger Cross), is responsible for killing tens of thousands of people in their efforts to rebel against the technologically advanced police-like state. Luckily, Cameron connects with Alec Sadler (Erik Knudsen), a teen techno-genius who is known in the future as the man who developed the high-surveillance wireless and cybernetic technology implanted into Cameron's body. After infiltrating the Vancouver police department, she creates an uneasy alliance with Carlos Fonnegra (Victor Webster), in hopes of locating the terrorists-at-large. But while she's committed to catching the convicted rebels from the future before they change the course of history, she can't forget her husband Greg (John Reardon) and their son Sam (Sean Michael Kyer) who she left behind, and how desperate she is to get home before her own timeline is changed.
Is It Any Good?
While the time travel theme isn't completely original (think Doctor Who), the show succeeds at telling a well-developed story that combines elements of police procedurals with hi-tech fantasy. Also adding to the show's flair are the constant moral dilemmas that Cameron faces as she negotiates the importance of doing her job with her heartfelt desire to return to her family.
Continuum is an intelligent show, but one that also relies on some violent story lines and action-packed scenes filled with gun fire to tell it. However, like most Canadian productions, the amount of blood and gore visible is limited. Stateside sci-fi fantasy fans will definitely enjoy it, but it has enough here to appeal to those simply looking for a a well developed series to tune in to.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it would be like to travel back in time. Would you try to change anything in order to make your present different? What kinds of problems would arise as a result of those changes? Do you think science will ever evolve enough to allow us to time travel?
What differences exist between TV shows and movies from different parts of the world? Why do some countries allow swearing on TV and/or more sexual content than shows in the United States? Why are shows from some countries less violent than others? Are these due to cultural differences? Differences in the laws that regulate media?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 14, 2013
- Cast : Erik Knudsen , Rachel Nichols , Victor Webster
- Network : Syfy
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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