The Catch

TV review by Kari Croop, Common Sense Media
The Catch Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Gripping game of cat and mouse has strong female characters.

ABC Drama 2016
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 18+

Based on 1 review

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Catch is a fast-paced caper centering on characters in their 30s and 40s, including a female protagonist who works as a successful private investigator alongside her business partner and best friend, who is also a woman. Some scenes involving her love life feature steamy simulated sex with bare skin (but no sensitive parts on display). You'll also see some light violence (physically restrained suspects, windows being smashed) and social drinking and hear words such as "damn" and "hell," but nothing stronger.

Community Reviews

Helen M.
Helen M. Adult
March 4, 2017
age 17+

Well-acted intriguing drama with mature undertones

Story-line and acting are all very well done, and the cast displays a wide array of ethnic and sexual diversity. However, sex scenes are more than steamy, with prolonged sexual interludes of both hetero and same-sex couples.

This title has:

Too much sex
eShorts Z.
eShorts Z. Adult
November 13, 2016
age 13+
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Los Angeles-based private investigator Alice Vaughan (Mireille Enos) is one of the best in the business, running a successful firm with her best friend, Valerie (Rose Rollins), a former cop. But no one suspected that Alice's seemingly perfect fiancé, Christopher (Peter Krause), was playing her for everything she had. And now finding him will be THE CATCH of a lifetime.

Is It Any Good?

The Catch's premise is hardly original (and the opening sequence smacks loudly of The Thomas Crown Affair). Yet strong acting and interesting characters make this breezy caper better than average. We could do without the split screens and peppy music, both of which feel gimmicky and forced. We also strongly prefer Enos' fresh-faced look as Detective Sarah Linden on The Killing over Alice Vaughan's penchant for distracting, jet-black false eyelashes that you secretly hope will fly away. But the latter is a superficial criticism for sure.

As to whether teens will want to tune in, The Catch calls to an older demographic, so they're not likely to care much, if at all, about Alice and her elusive Mr. X. If they do watch, there's some steamy suggested sex to contend with. But that's offset by an array of strong female characters -- some of them better role models than others -- and thoughtful casting choices that step outside the box with refreshing results.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Catch's strong female characters and how they compare with characters on other women-centric shows. Are these characters advancing any new ideas about women and the way they work together (or against each other) or even how they interact with men? "Strong" is one thing, but how do they measure up as role models?

  • How has writer-producer Shonda Rhimes changed the way television looks and sounds, in terms of gender, race, story, and dialogue? How does diverse casting help shatter stereotypes and promote a new way of seeing the world?

  • Will a show like The Catch interest kids and teens? Who's the target audience, and how can you tell?

TV Details

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