King & Maxwell
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that King & Maxwell centers on two former Secret Service agents turned private investigators -- one male, one female -- and their ongoing casework that occasionally veers into dangerous territory. As such, you'll see some violent shootouts with hand-to-hand combat, along with a little blood and some death. Language is mostly limited to gateway terms like "hell," "damn," and "ass," and although there's a little sexual tension between the main characters, their relationship remains platonic and professional.
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What's the Story?
When it comes to private investigation, former Secret Service agents Sean King (Jon Tenney) and Michelle Maxwell (Rebecca Romijn) are equal partners. But when it comes to personal taste, KING & MAXWELL couldn't be more different. While the sentimental King's got a law degree and a soft spot for romance novels, Maxwell's background as an elite athlete adds a competitive edge to everything she does. Yet, somehow, their strengths and weaknesses just work.
Is It Any Good?
When it comes to small-screen buddy dramas, there's nothing revolutionary about writing the leads as polar opposites who manage to make a great team in spite of their differences -- which, in this case, is a concept taken directly from the bestselling David Baldacci books the show is based on. There's also nothing novel about putting an ampersand in the title (from the classic Cagney & Lacey to the more modern combo of Rizzoli & Isles).
But what saves King & Maxwell from being a forgettable take on an all-too-familiar formula is the casting: Tenney and Romijn have a surprisingly easy chemistry, and their characters' quirks are a refreshing challenge to tired gender stereotypes we've seen again and again. Kids aren't likely to care much about this pair, but if they do, another plus is that King & Maxwell is an option older teens and parents can actually watch together without too many content red flags.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about gender stereotypes and how King & Maxwell's personalities defy traditional gender roles. How do they compare to other male-female couples who work together on TV?
Do you get the sense that the show's writers want audiences to see the main characters as potential romantic partners? What are the real-life issues associated with getting involved with someone you work with?
How do King & Maxwell measure up as role models? Is it OK to skirt the law if you're doing it in pursuit of justice?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 10, 2013
- Cast: Jon Tenney, Michael O'Keefe, Rebecca Romijn
- Network: TNT
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 14, 2022
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