Parents' Guide to

Gang Related

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Complicated cop drama has guns, gore, and a great cast.

TV Fox Drama 2014
Gang Related Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

Jessica Valdez
Jessica Valdez Parent of 1 and 10-year-old
July 17, 2014
age 18+

Better than Son's of Anarchy

For adults only! I love it great show. I love it that it's based in California..

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Detective Ryan Lopez (Ramon Rodriguez) is the center of the action in GANG RELATED, which focuses on a hardworking LAPD gang task force. Lopez is a fast-rising LAPD star. But he has a big secret: He still has intimate connections to a Latino street gang headed by his father-figure Javier Acosta (Cliff Curtis) and his two sons: rebellious, dangerous Carlos (Reynaldo Gallegos) and the somewhat reformed Daniel (Jay Hernandez), the longtime best friend of Lopez. Lopez has one heck of a conflict. He admires and respects his coworkers, particularly task force leader Sam Chapel (Terry O'Quinn) and his new partner Cassius Green (RZA). But his ties with the Los Angelinos in general, and the Acostas in particular, run deep. When his livelihood is pitted against his loved ones, which one will win out?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

At first blush, Gang Related appears to be just another cop drama in a television schedule stuffed with them, and even giving the action the (slight) twist of having a main character with a double life doesn't make it original. But Gang Related transcends its humdrum genre with some very sharp choices that elevate it above the pack. First and foremost, the excellent cast. RZA is positively adorable as Lopez' partner, while Terry O'Quinn brings with him the odd jolliness that made him such a cool character on Lost. Cliff Curtis is genuinely menacing as a mob boss who's by turns brutal and fatherly.

Gang Related also boasts a racially diverse cast in the very best way imaginable. People of color, many different colors, in fact, are at the center of the action. Race doesn't go unmentioned, but neither does it dominate every interaction. A key moment occurs early in the pilot, when Lopez snarkily criticizes Green's vocal abilities as he croons along with Marvin Gaye: "I thought all black people could sing." RZA-as-Green just rolls his eyes, accepting it as the good-natured (and realistic) ribbing that it is, and responds with a list of the rules of his car, which include no passing gas and no harsh words on his singing. The Gang Related creator scripted The Fast and the Furious movies from Tokyo Drift onwards; that series is known for its excellent and easygoing diversity, so perhaps this continuation of the pattern shouldn't come as a surprise.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether Gang Related is a realistic show. Do the officers look like real LAPD officers? Would a real gang member really be able to serve in the LAPD?

  • Gang Related was created by Chris Morgan, who wrote the Fast and the Furious films from Tokyo Drift on. Do you see similarities between these films and this TV show?

  • How important is it to you to see characters from diverse backgrounds represented on TV? Do you notice any trends toward more ethnic diversity in the movies or on TV?

TV Details

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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