Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unlikely pals battle stereotypes in campy fantasy sitcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Knight Squad
What's the Story?
KNIGHT SQUAD opens as an enthusiastic teen named Arc (Owen Joyner) arrives at Astoria Castle to vie for an open position in the kingdom's knight school. Because he's not descended from the required royal dragon blood, Arc must swindle and sweet talk his way in, but he backs it up with some pretty impressive skills and lands on the Phoenix Squad with Warwick (Amarr M. Wooten), Prudence (Lexi DiBenedetto), and the indomitable Ciara (Daniella Perkins). While harboring the secret of his heritage, Arc discovers Ciara has a secret of her own, and the two vow to protect each other's identities so both can realize their goals of becoming knights.
Is It Any Good?
A strong female lead and two underdog hopefuls challenging stereotypes and boundaries give this fantasy-based series potential, but it's far too campy to really impress. The sets and costumes are hokey at best, and the general overacting quickly wears thin. Younger kids may enjoy Arc's boyish good looks and his rapport with Ciara, but their unlikely friendship isn't enough to carry the whole show.
What stands out instead is the casual stance Knight Squad seems to take on the mutual dishonesty of the two main characters, who knowingly break rules to follow their dreams. While on one hand it reminds kids that their own dreams should know no limits (a good thing), it also makes light of their deception to do so (less good). The bottom line? This corny show entertains with silliness and physical humor, but there are better options with more substance for kids who love fantasy stories.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about setting and achieving goals. Why do Arc and Ciara refuse to accept the status quo that disqualifies them from knight school? What kinds of goals are worth taking risks?
How does Knight Squad present friendship among teens? Which relationships exist for the benefit of one or the other partners? What are some characteristics of positive relationships vs. negative ones? How are our relationships changed by electronic communication like texting and social media?
Who stands out in these stories for strong traits like determination and perseverance? Can determination ever be a negative characteristic? When it doesn't yield the results you want, why is it important to be open to new ideas?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 24, 2018
- Cast : Owen Joyner , Daniella Perkins , Lexi DiBenedetto
- Network : Nickelodeon
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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