Doubt
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Atypical legal drama's diverse cast bolsters tepid plot.
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Doubt
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What's the Story?
DOUBT stars Katherine Heigl as Sadie Ellis, a tireless New York lawyer defending pediatric surgeon Billy Brennan (Steven Pasquale) against accusations of murdering his girlfriend some 24 years ago. As the case progresses and facts call into doubt Billy's innocence, Sadie nonetheless finds herself falling for her client, who emphatically denies his guilt. When it's not focused on Billy's case, the show involves other courtroom drama and the lighter side of the law firm headed by principled legal warrior Isaiah Roth (Elliott Gould).
Is It Any Good?
As legal dramas go, this one is a bit of an anomaly, following a single case over all its episodes and including a forbidden lawyer-client relationship. Doubt is compelling in parts and humorous in fleeting moments, and there's always much intrigue surrounding Billy's past and whether he's really telling Sadie the truth about the case.
In an attempt to not belabor the dominant storyline too much, Sadie's law partners' lives and careers are introduced in increments to keep the content fresh. Some are more interesting than others, but most raise ethical issues that don't have simple answers and encourage viewers to ponder their own feelings on the subjects. Altogether, though, this makes for a somewhat jumbled plot that's not entirely fluid to watch. Perhaps the most notable character is Cameron Wirth, a transgender woman and hardworking lawyer (played by Laverne Cox), whose presence marks a significant network-TV first.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Doubt presents female characters. Are they on par with men in the workplace? Do they enjoy healthy relationships with coworkers and friends? Does this resonate with your experiences of girls and women at work, at school, and in social settings?
What do you make of Sadie and Billy's feelings for each other? Are they entirely innocent, or does one want something from the other? What are the challenges of mixing business and pleasure in a situation like this one?
How does this legal drama stack up against predecessors such as Law & Order? How realistic are these shows in general?
What effect does a cast's diversity have on its messages about empathy?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 15, 2017
- Cast: Katherine Heigl, Elliott Gould, Laverne Cox
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Empathy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 13, 2022
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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 suggesting a diversity update.
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