Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
TV adaptation of popular book has guns, fighting, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Joe Pickett
What's the Story?
Based on the book series by C.J. Box, JOE PICKETT follows a game warden and his family as they navigate life in rural Wyoming. Joe Pickett (Michael Dorman) has moved to Saddlestring along with his wife Marybeth (Julianna Guill) and their two young daughters to take over the game warden post vacated by the popular Vern Dunnegan (David Alan Grier). While helping colorful town residents manage life alongside the local wildlife population, he's also on the lookout for illegal hunters and poachers. This doesn't sit well with locals who are struggling to survive in the dying town, and who expect Pickett to look away when they break the law. Also making things complicated is the InterWest company, which is hoping to run its pipeline through the area, and his mother-in-law (played by Sharon Lawrence), who has been forced to move in with them. But when someone from town is murdered, Pickett begins to investigate in hopes of finding the killer.
Is It Any Good?
This television book adaptation is an entertaining murder mystery that revolves around an unpretentious game warden. The plot is full of interesting twists and turns, and there are just enough touches of humor to give the overall story world some personality. Granted, there are moments that feature caricature-like cast members that are hard to take seriously. But it also points to some very real contemporary issues, including the socioeconomic hardships many in rural America are facing, and the threats game wardens face when on the job, which make them the officers of the law most killed while on duty. The overall goal of Joe Pickett isn't to teach lessons, but to tell a good story that is worth the watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about adapting book series for television. What are some of the challenges? Are the book versions of stories usually better than the TV versions? Why?
Does Joe Pickett offer a fair representation of the people who live in small town rural Wyoming? Are some of these depictions rooted in stereotypes?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 6, 2021
- Cast : Michael Dorman , Julianna Guill , Sharon Lawrence
- Network : Spectrum
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 8, 2025
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