Parents' Guide to

The Beast

By Will Wade, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Undercover drama exciting, but has questionable role model.

TV A&E Drama 2009
The Beast Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

jetdrvr1
jetdrvr1 Adult
September 10, 2011
age 17+

I am not impressed.

Feds running roughshod over Constitutional rights is nothing new. They've been doing it since the FBI's inception. Illegal bugging and surveillance is common. Drug use and criminal acts by agents in order to gain the confidence of a target is also common. These people aren't heroes. If it weren't for the badge and the gun, many of them would have become career criminals themselves. Some have.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Charles Barker (Patrick Swayze) is an undercover FBI agent who likes to break the rules. He pays little heed to bureau policies or social niceties, but his supervisors tolerate his behavior because he gets the job done. His rookie partner, Ellis Dove (Travis Fimmel), faces the dual challenge of keeping up with the unconventional Barker, both on and off the job, and enduring constant hazing from the veteran. Despite the mistreatment, the newbie agent has nothing but respect for Barker -- but this admiration is tested when he learns that bureau higher-ups suspect Barker may be corrupt.

Is It Any Good?

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

THE BEAST is another in a long line of law enforcement dramas centered around cops who don't play by the rules, balancing on the very thin line between criminals and the people who pursue them (as Barker explains, "we know where to cross"). It's not exactly an original setup, even with the twist that Dove has been asked to play double agent, trying to outwit the master.

But Swayze brings flair to the series. He's believable as a possible rogue cop, and he really comes alive when going undercover gives his character the freedom to play criminal. Too bad the wooden Fimmel, a former model, doesn't hold up his end of the show. Luckily, watching Barker educate Dove about the subtle details that can keep an undercover agent alive on the job adds an entertaining layer to an otherwise standard procedural.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about breaking the rules. Barker regularly violates bureau policies in his efforts to bring in the bad guys. Do you think it's OK to break the rules -- or even the law -- in pursuit of a greater good? Do the ends ever justify the means? What would happen if everyone did this? Does Barker seem similar to characters in other police shows? Why are these maverick cop characters so popular? How else is this show similar to and different from other crime dramas?

TV Details

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