Parents' Guide to

The Code

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Military legal drama has violence, mature themes.

TV CBS Drama 2019
The Code Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • The Code TV Series: Dobbins
  • The Code TV Series: Abraham, Dobbins, and Ferry
  • The Code TV Series: Dobbins and Ferry questioning someone

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

alpha1six
alpha1six Adult
May 23, 2019
age 10+

A disaster

The previous comment by a_col read my mind but actually 'Gomer Pyle' was a better depiction of the Marine Corps than this disaster. I served in the 60'sand things change, but I doubt that the Marine Corps has changed that much in the 50 years since I left. Marines do not appear out of doors unbuttoned and uncovered. They do not wear their cover at a jaunty angle like some retro 40's USO singer no matter how sexy they think it might be. They do salute and return salutes when outdoors or under arms. Captains do not initiate salutes to lieutenants. Marines never refer to their uniforms as clothes', ever. Warrant and commissioned officers MUST be U.S. citizens. Navy commanders generally do not appear in public wearing the uniform of a lieutenant. Warrant officers do not behave like lost puppies. I was enlisted so I never attended an officer staff meeting but I'm pretty sure that junior officer do not routinely, interrupt their superiors, Colonels and Majors, and make comments on how situations will be handled. Perhaps the creators of this show started with a decent concept but they lost their way right away. They desperately need an R. Lee or Capt. Dye to give them some credibility. I realize that fewer than 1% of Americans serve and notice these things but it is a disservice to them and others who have served to present the military so poorly. If there aren't some serious changes this disaster should be cancelled and forgotten.
A_COL
A_COL Adult
May 13, 2019
age 10+

Best Military Comedy since Gomer Pyle

The Code is the best Military comedy since Gomer Pyle but most of the humor are inside jokes so you have to be Military to get it. Each episode contains at least one hoot that leaves us “insiders” rolling in the aisles. In the first episode it was dressing a Navy Medical Corps Doctor Commander (05) in a Lieutenant’s (03) costume for his Court Martial. Last week it was having two “crack” Marine attorneys negotiating over a plea deal between a Bad Conduct (BCD) and a Dishonorable Discharge (DD) for a First Lieutenant. The “inside” joke is an Officer cannot receive either a BCD or a DD; an Officer receives a Dismissal from the Service, the Officer equivalent of a DD and any Second Lieutenant with a passing knowledge of the UCMJ would know this. This evening’s “inside” joke was the JAG office Admin Warrant Officer going for his Citizenship exam. The Joke is one of the non waiverable requirements for a Warrant Officer appointment is an applicant MUST be a US Citizen – ALREADY. Finally, the Story lines are always so unrealistic and out of character for real Military and go out of the way to take Liberal PC positions on social issues, e.g. the MAVNI Program. The Military is probably one the most Conservative institutions in all of Government. Maybe it’s time for The Code to hire a Military Technical Advisor, preferable a former JAG Officer but it might already be too late. CBS has not renewed it.

This title has:

Too much consumerism
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE CODE is a dramatic military procedural that follows a group of Marines serving in the Judge Advocate General Headquarters in Quantico. Captain John "Abe" Abraham (Luke Mitchell) is a judge advocate (an active duty Marine who is eligible to serve as a prosecutor, a defense attorney, or in a combat post) who's committed to seeking military justice by court-martial. Under the leadership of Colonel Glenn Turnbull (Dana Delany)​, Abraham, who is often partnered with his superior officer and friend Major Trey Ferry (Ato Essandoh), cleverly investigates and tries cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the military court. He's also helped by Lieutenant Harper Li (Phillipa Soo) and Warrant Officer Rami Ahmadi (Raffi Barsoumian), who offer assistance from the office. Meanwhile, he often finds himself on the opposite side of the courtroom from fellow judge advocate Captain Maya Dobbins (Anna Wood), who has no problem challenging him despite their friendship. They all work hard to adhere to the uniform code of military justice, but also face the pressure that comes from being first, and foremost, Marines.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (1):

This interesting but somewhat predictable series features the standard drama to be expected from a modern legal procedural. There's lots of investigation and suspicious interviews with witnesses, as well as some courtroom theatrics enhanced by Marine culture. Conversations often include explanations of military protocol, including following chains of command, specific military rules, and of course, military codes of behavior. It also addresses contemporary issues, including the ways immigration impacts those who serve, and systematic problems within the Marines and other military branches. However, the team's personal lives are a little casual and friendly, considering the universe they are operating in. Nonetheless,The Code offers some solid entertainment that legal drama fans can enjoy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the difference between a military court and a civilian one. Are the decisions of a military court legally binding? Can judge advocates serve as legal representatives in courts outside of the military?

  • What messages does The Code send about serving in the military? About being a Marine? Are these messages all positive?

TV Details

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