Common Sense Media Review
Web series pokes gentle fun at hardcore online gamers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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The Guild
What's the Story?
For Cyd (Felicia Day), real-life is not nearly as fun as THE GUILD, the online gaming world where she spends most of her time. Does she have a problem? Is she trying to avoid reality? Well, maybe a therapist could help her figure that out, except her therapist dumped her because she couldn't take time away from battling orcs to make her appointments. She has a thriving online social life with a close-knit group of Guild-pals, but her infrequent face-to-face interactions are… awkward. But these brief webisodes never show the online world, just the real people behind the screens, and their embarrassing attempts to socialize.
Is It Any Good?
The Guild plays on stereotypes and tweaks them at the same time. Sure, some of the characters seem like classic nerds, but they are also so over the top that it's hard to take them completely seriously (especially Herman, as a balding, uptight middle-aged man whose devotion to online gaming has clearly marked him as a lifelong bachelor). Day is fun to watch as a social misfit, but seems perhaps a bit too appealing to be completely believable as someone who's afraid of real life.
But it is easy to imagine people who want to hide out online, and what might happen when they are required to venture out from these carefully-constructed fantasy worlds to the often messy real world. Day and her Guild colleagues make these inept interactions seem both cringe-worthy and hilarious, and her slightly-out-of-her depth responses are wonderful. Give her an orc, and she knows just what to do, but watching her stumble through an actual conversation is much more fun to watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Cyd's social life. Why do you think she spends so much time with her online friends instead of seeing people in person? Do you think she's trying to avoid something? Do you think this is healthy? Do you know any people like this?
Talk about stereotypes. Do you think this show relies too much on stereotypes of gamers as anti-social? Or do you think the show actually respects gamers, while also poking a little fun?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 27, 2007
- Cast : Felicia Day
- Network : Online
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 21, 2022
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