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Parents' Guide to

Ruby and the Well

By mseegers, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Grief can build community in inconsistent fantasy adventure.

TV BYUtv Drama 2022
Ruby and the Well TV show: poster

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Ruby and the Well TV show: Three kids look at a document on a desk.
  • Ruby and the Well TV show: On a forest road, three kids ride their bikes.
  • Ruby and the Well TV show: Three kids and an adult examine a map outside.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

momavann
momavann Adult
September 29, 2022
age 6+

Worth watching

I am always looking for good shows without bad language and a good plot! This show is very engaging and makes you want to watch the next episode! I like the lack of drinking, sex, “wokeism” that the show portrays, as well as its wholesome storyline. Highly recommend as well as Dwight In Shining Armor!
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Following the death of her mother, Ruby O'Reilly (Zoe Wiesenthal) gets a fresh start when she moves to a new town to help reopen her father's (Kristopher Turner) family orchard. Ruby discovers an enchanted well hidden on the property, and is magically selected as its newest "keeper." With her name ingrained on the stone, Ruby gets visions that allow her to briefly see into other people's lives. She must now use her new powers to gain insight into helping the townspeople.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

This series about an enchanted well may be well intentioned, but its execution leaves the viewer wishing for more. With each episode clocking in at around 45 minutes, the runtime of Ruby and the Well creates inconsistent pacing at the expense of the story. The problems Ruby is tasked to fix either feel too complex or over simplified. A library closes because people "just started caring more about themselves," and a teenage runaway's backstory feels incomplete and more like a sprint to the finish. The show succeeds when it focuses on Ruby's personal growth. She uses the loss of her mother to change her grief into good. Her empathy toward others is admirable, and creates a heart at the center of the story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about new beginnings in Ruby and the Well. How does Ruby react to new experiences she faces at Emerald? Why is change sometimes difficult?

  • Ruby is dealing with a lot of hard things all at once. If you could talk to Ruby, what advice would you give her?

  • Which of the characters do you relate to most? Why?

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.

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