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Parents' Guide to

FlashForward

By Will Wade, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Complex drama blends action, mystery, questions about fate.

TV ABC Drama 2009
FlashForward Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 7 parent reviews

sk8lady
sk8lady Adult
June 24, 2011
age 17+

Grown-ups only!

I've been watching this on Roku AFTER my 15 year old goes to bed. My husband typically passes through the room mumbling about "your creepy show." This is NOT for kids--realistic violence, some sexual scenes, and a realistic portrayal of alcoholism, plus the "creepy" premise and tone, make this inappropriate for kids. However, the sci fi premise, story, and acting make this worthwhile. Joseph Fiennes (of Shakespeare in Love fame) and John Cho (Sulu in the most recent Star Trek movie) are terrific.
crazyboymom
crazyboymom Parent of 5 and 8-year-old
November 3, 2009
age 17+

Loved it, Until....

This show is crossing the line. Last week's episode included a sex scene I would expect to see on HBO, not ABC at 8pm. It's disappointing that people think it's okay to put stuff like that on television - and that people watch it!
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

FBI agent Mark Bedford (Joseph Fiennes) wakes up in the wreckage of a car and slowly realizes that he's in the middle of a terrible, multi-vehicle crash on the Los Angeles freeway. What happened to him? What happened to everyone else? And what were those strange visions where he saw himself studying mysterious clues to a case? As Bedford soon realizes, he blacked out for exactly 2 minutes and 17 seconds for no obvious reason -- and so did every other person on the planet, during which time, everyone had a brief glimpse of their future. In this intriguing, time-bending series, Bedford must analyze the clues hidden in the revelations of these FLASHFORWARDS as he and others try to piece together every individual snippet of the future to create a big picture of what will happen and why.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (7 ):

In typical time-travel stories, someone visits the past or future and then returns to the present; in FlashForward, everyone stays in the present but gets a quick look at the future. The thought-provoking, two-pronged puzzle here is why this has happened, and whether these impending events are set in stone. Because not everyone likes what they see. Bedford, a recovering alcoholic, sees himself on a disturbing bender, while his wife Olivia (Sonya Walger) sees their marriage crumbling. And Bedford's partner, Demetri (John Cho), sees nothing at all -- could that mean he'll soon be dead?

The show plays a bit like the popular yet exceedingly more complex Lost, a series that plays fast and loose with the time-space continuum by stitching together events from individual characters' past and future. FlashForward stays mostly focused on the present but frequently cuts to the future as different characters recall memories from their own "sneak previews." The result is an entertaining mystery that also asks complex questions about fate and destiny.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about uncertainty and disaster, which are prominent themes in the series. Does any of what happens on the show seem like it could actually take place? Is that unsettling?

  • How does the show's premise of revealing the future to people in the present impact the inherent drama of time travel stories? Are they worried that they might change the timeline, or are they actively trying to do so?

  • What would you do if you saw your own future? Do you think your fate is already settled, or does your future change every day as a result of your choices and actions?

TV Details

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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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