Common Sense Media Review
Classic police drama is more brains than brawn.
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Ironside (1967)
What's the Story?
The classic TV series IRONSIDE (1967-75) stars Raymond Burr as Robert T. Ironside, the former chief of detectives with the San Francisco police. After a sniper's bullet leaves him paralyzed, he becomes a private detective and special consultant to the police. Now working from and living in the attic of San Francisco police headquarters, he is assisted by ex-con turned-bodyguard Mark Sanger (Don Mitchell). Helping him work cases are plainclothes officers Ed Brown (Don Galloway) and Eve Whitfield (Barbara Anderson). From serial killers to police corruption, Ironside stays focused on solving cases using his brains and thoughtful attention to detail to get criminals off the streets.
Is It Any Good?
This series offers smart, story-driven drama that relies more on Ironside's ability to think about the details of a case rather than simply chase after criminals. As a result, the fact that he is active in law enforcement despite being in a wheelchair (which makes his character unique, even by today's standards) becomes an ever-present, but secondary, issue.
Ironside isn't the most action-packed of shows, but it's still entertaining. Ironside himself is pretty likable, too, despite his tough, surly, and often-humorless approach to life. Despite being set in the late 1960s and early '70s, many of the stories are still as interesting today as they were back then. Fans of the classic police procedural will definitely find it worth watching.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes certain pop culture characters unique. Is it their personalities? Their life stories? Their personal attributes?
How does showing characters who have something that makes them "different" contribute to how people see the world? How can these characters be used to diffuse stereotypes?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 14, 1987
- Cast : Barbara Anderson , Don Mitchell , Raymond Burr
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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