Detention Adventure
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Detention Adventure
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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 Detention Adventures follows four teens on a quest filled with puzzles and obstacles to find a mythical room hidden in their school. Notable to the story is the thawing of tensions between three self-described "nerdy" friends and their notorious bully classmate when they discover a shared interest in solving the mystery, which helps them see each other in a different light. As all of their adventures take place under the noses of school personnel, there's a certain amount of rule bending and breaking that goes on to facilitate them. Expect to hear some teasing and name calling like "ignoramus" and "loser." These clever, determined teens' ability to find smarter, faster, more effective ways to solve problems emphasizes the value of cooperation.
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What's the Story?
In DETENTION ADVENTURE, four teens join forces to uncover a secret lab of Alexander Graham Bell that's been hidden under their school. Lore long has told of the scientific treasure trove, but no one's been successful in locating it until now. When best friends Raign (Simone Miller), Joy (Alina Prijono), and Hulk (Jack Fulton) scheme to land in detention together to search for the lab's secret entrance, they begrudgingly ally with the class rebel, Brett (Tomaso Sanelli), who wants in on the action. Can this unlikely team overcome the roadblocks designed to deter them from finally locating this legendary room?
Is It Any Good?
These resourceful teens demonstrate that the key to successful teamwork is having a common goal. At the story's start, there's a clear divide between Team Raign and outsider/bully Brett, who has to work his charismatic magic on the trio to gain their trust. In the case of Raign especially, that trust is hard fought, and their ongoing battle of wills makes for some interpersonal tension even after the tenuous alliance is established. But when the team's rounded out, they excel at solving puzzles on their way to realizing their ultimate goal.
Detention Adventure isn't a particularly witty or clever series (it's downright corny in parts), but it's mostly pleasant to watch and has some good representations of cooperation and teamwork. Despite a reputation as a class bully and a school mischief maker, Brett proves he has redeeming qualities and is willing to let his new acquaintances influence him for the better. For their part, Raign, Joy, and Hulk learn to see past Brett's reputation and recognize the value of his knowledge and experience. Theirs is a joint effort that viewers see is the result of each party being open to changes of opinion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Brett's relationship with his new allies evolves as the series plays out. Does getting to know each other personally change their initial impressions? How can bias have a negative effect on our ability to relate to and work with others?
How do the teens resolve conflicts that arise among them? Is the assignment of fault important in that process, in your experience? Why or why not? How does bullying factor into their ability to get along?
Detention Adventure focuses heavily on the teen characters with adults seeming out of touch or oblivious to the goings-on. Does this send unexpected or unrealistic messages about authority in a school setting? How does this dynamic contribute to the show's humor?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 14, 2020
- Cast: Simone Miller, Tomaso Sanelli, Alina Prijono, Jack Fulton
- Network: HBO Max
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Adventures, High School
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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