Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mild violence, tension in imaginative sci-fi drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Stitchers
What's the Story?
In ABC Family's sci-fi drama STITCHERS, super genius grad student Kirsten Clark (Emma Ishta) has a problem -- temporal dysplasia, a disorder that keeps her from experiencing the passage of time. But her disorder doesn't only affect her life and make mincemeat of friendships and emotions. It also makes her the target of a shadowy organization that investigates crimes by "stitching" the consciousnesses of those like Emma into the memories of the recently deceased. By reliving the events of their lives, Emma is able to gather vital insight into their mysterious ends. On hand to help are neuroscientist/hottie Cameron (Kyle Harris), mysterious program head Maggie (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), and sardonic bioelectrical engineer Linus (Ritesh Rajan).
Is It Any Good?
Rather like an Inception-lite tilted toward families and teens, Stitchers has the traditional appeal of a crime procedural with a dollop of sci-fi intrigue and prodigious sex appeal in the form of Kirsten Clark herself and the hunky (if murky) scientists who launch her into investigations. Viewers who haven't delved deeply into the genre are this show's primary target -- Stitchers is jammed full of science-fiction tropes and imagery that might turn off more sophisticated fans. (When Kirsten "jumps" into the consciousness of another, glowing strips in the floor light up? Come on.)
Nonetheless, the "case of the week" structure is a time-honored staple of crime drama, and the show's central "stitching" conceit adds a pleasing aspect. Clark and her cohorts are easy on the eyes, and mystery/sci-fi shows that are suitable for younger viewers are very thin on the horizon. Families with a geeky bent may want to watch this light, intriguing show together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the show's premise. What if "temporal dysplasia" were real? How about the process of "stitching" one's consciousness into another's?
Have you seen other shows or movies in which one character is able to step into the shoes of another through (imaginary) scientific or supernatural means? How is Stitchers similar to or different from these dramas?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 2, 2015
- Cast : Emma Ishta , Kyle Harris , Ritesh Rajan
- Network : Freeform
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 4, 2021
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