Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Lots of explosive violence (the type that brings down city buildings and causes injuries like cuts and scrapes), though given the scope of the mayhem, the blood and gore is kept to a minimum, particularly in earlier seasons -- in later seasons, characters are shot, burned, or otherwise injured or killed. Guns and other weapons are in play; in earlier seasons most of the damage is suffered by inanimate objects like walls and desks rather than people; starting with season 4, people are hit. Hand-to-hand fighting can be intense and leave victims with injuries. Some characters have supernatural abilities they can wield at will. Characters are often in peril, and some die. Scary looking injuries may be shown at length; dead bodies with bloody injuries or burns are also visible. Villains hatch schemes that can result in deaths or damages; fortunately, these plans are usually foiled just in time.

Some innuendo and banter between characters, and women often wear tight outfits that accentuate their curves. Sexual relationships between characters are discussed, but nothing graphic is shown. Some kissing/making out/removal of clothes (down to underwear).

Occasional use of words including "bastard," "bitch," "damn," "frickin'," and "oh my God" (as an exclamation).

Some drinking, typically social. All by adult characters.

Parents need to know that Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a primetime follow-up to the popular movie The Avengers, so it's bound to be a draw for anyone who enjoyed the film. That said, none of the movie's highest-profile cast members return for this series, so it's not difficult to jump into the action without having seen the film. Violence is indicative of the cop dramas it's modeled after, so you'll see explosions, fires, beatings, and the use of guns and other weapons, and some people are injured in the crossfire. Strong language is a minor concern ("frickin'" and "bitch" are repeat offenders), and there's some playful sexual banter between male and female characters. On the upside, teamwork and social responsibility are recurring themes, and there are three strong, competent female agents in the mix. In later seasons, some heroic figures prove themselves to be fallible and duplicitous; others start out as heroes and become villains.