Parents' Guide to

ReGenesis

By Will Wade, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Thought-provoking science drama asks tough questions.

TV Syndicated Drama 2004
ReGenesis Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all
age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

jfvirey
jfvirey Adult
April 18, 2011
age 17+

Watch for bad language, smoking and nudity

This parental advisory is totally inadqquate. I watched the first fifteen minutes of episode one, and I heard several uses of the F-word, plus there was an indecent scene in which a blase teenager enters the hero's flat and finds him having sex with a unknown woman whose back and buttocks are bare. When two of the main characters went out for a smoke, I decided to stop watching the show.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

David Sandstrom (Peter Outerbridge) is the head scientist at NORBAC (North American Biotechnology Advisory Commission), a research institute that studies bioterrorism, pollution and climate change, genetic advances, unidentifiable illnesses, and other cutting-edge topics. When the authorities are stumped or overwhelmed, they bring in Sandstrom and his team, who usually uncover some previously unseen connection and quickly develop an experimental treatment that dramatically saves the day.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

On paper, REGENESIS sounds much like other medical/investigation procedurals -- a bit like ER without the frantic emergencies or CSI with less crime and more investigation. Plenty of scenes feature researchers at work in the lab, discussing big, complicated theories and abstract concepts ... and then conveniently solving a major scientific problem in less than 55 minutes.

What makes this series different -- and in some ways more interesting -- is its focus on the big picture. When the NORBAC tackles something, they aren't just solving a single problem -- they're using the opportunity to ask intriguing and important ethical questions. Solving a pollution crisis, for example, is an opportunity to discuss the ways that mankind is damaging Earth; identifying a gene that triggers homosexuality leads to questions about eugenics and social control; and investigating an epidemic opens the door to examining bioterrorism. While other shows follow the progress of individual patients or try to solve specific crimes, ReGenesis wants to save the world.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about scientific ethics. The researchers work at the cutting edge of science, where there's sometimes a gap between what's possible and what's acceptable. Do you think the characters' theories make sense? Do you believe that social problems have biological causes? Is there a "fix" for every issue? How does the science on this show compare to that of other shows, like CSI?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate