Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Reinvestigation reality series is voyeuristic and violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dead Again
What's the Story?
Produced by Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, DEAD AGAIN is a reality series featuring reinvestigations of controversial murder cases. Veteran detectives Kevin "Spider" Gannon, Joe Schillaci, and Michele Wood investigate recreations of actual crime scenes without being told any of the real-life details and outcomes. The goal? To compare their findings to the verdict to raise questions about whether the person convicted of the crime is the actual killer. Cameras follow the detectives as they work over crime scenes, review information from their mobile command unit, discuss individual (and often contradictory) field notes, and talk to friends, family, and potential suspects. Throughout the process, actual crime scene photos, news clippings, and other documentation from the original event are shown. As they near the end of their investigation, the outcome of each case is revealed so they can compare their findings and, if possible, continue their investigation by talking to the person behind bars.
Is It Any Good?
Dead Again uses the reinvestigation process to show the various ways detectives look for clues, analyze information, and scrutinize seemingly insignificant details that can make a major difference when they're trying to (re)solve a murder case. It also shows how they must often rely on instinct and experience to guide them, especially when key information, such as DNA evidence, is missing.
Thanks to the use of dramatic music, highly stylized reenactments of key moments and details, and gruesome crime scene footage, the entire experience seems sensationalist and tabloid-like. As a result, one might find it difficult to think that the folks who actually handle these cases will take what's being offered here seriously. Viewers who like crime-solving TV will probably find it entertaining, but sensitive viewers may find it disturbing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what goes into investigating crimes. What kind of training does a detective need to solve cases? When do detectives know when to rely on their instincts instead of the evidence they have? How do they handle the constant violence associated with their work?
Do reality shows such as this one really help people solve cases? Or are they designed to be more entertaining than helpful? Is it necessary to show violent acts or images to make their points?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 2, 2014
- Cast : Joe Schillaci , Michele Wood , Kevin Gannon
- Network : A&E
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 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
Suggest an Update
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