Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Melodramatic faith-based drama has problematic stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Baxters
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Parents say the show offers a complex portrayal of family life and faith, with some viewers appreciating its Christian values and relatable narratives about struggles and relationships. However, it has faced criticism for its treatment of race and gender, with concerns about stereotypes and a perceived message that reinforces racial biases.
- faith-based themes
- character complexity
- racial portrayal issues
- criticisms of stereotypes
- diverse marital dynamics
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 2 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Based on the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury, THE BAXTERS follows the lives of Elizabeth and John Baxter and their adult children, focusing on faith and family dynamics. The first season delves into their daughter Kari's discovery of her husband's affair and her reliance on faith and family support to get through it.
Is It Any Good?
This faith-based journey centers around a family navigating life's trials through the lens of their Christian beliefs. However, The Baxters is riddled with unnatural dialogue and presents an oversimplified and outdated view of the world. The casting of Roma Downey, known for Touched by an Angel, aligns with the show's spiritual themes, but Ted McGinley's jump from TV's raunchy Married... with Children to a Christian doctor character feels incongruous and highlights the show's broader issues with believability and tone. Additionally, the series dives headfirst into melodrama, with pivotal plot points like infidelity revealed abruptly, leaving little room for character development or nuanced storytelling. The reliance on clichés and the heavy-handed use of a cheesy piano score further emphasize the show's struggle to find its footing between being a faith-based family drama and a compelling narrative that resonates with a broader audience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the Christian perspective of the show guides its storytelling. What do you think are the benefits and limitations of this approach?
Were there any parts of the show that didn't feel believable?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 28, 2024
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 7, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
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