The Inspectors
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Engaging postal drama (seriously!) has great messages.
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The Inspectors
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What's the Story?
THE INSPECTORS centers on Preston Wainwright (Bret Green), a college student who interns at the U.S. Postal Inspectors' office where his mother, Amanda (Jessica Lundy), works. After being paralyzed in the car accident that killed his father, Preston is excelling both in school and on the job, and he's determined to follow in the footsteps of his parents, who were partners in the field. With the help of his best friends, Noah (Harrison Knight) and Veronica (Erica-Maria Sanchez), Preston works to solve crimes such as mail theft and consumer fraud.
Is It Any Good?
Created in conjunction with the actual United States Postal Inspection Service, this well-rounded series is surprisingly entertaining and educational for kids and tweens. Preston is a charming fellow with tall aspirations and a great personality, and unlike many screen teens, he enjoys a very close, mutually supportive relationship with his mom. That's a real treat to see, especially in a show geared toward young viewers. It's also nice to see a strong, independent character whose abilities aren't limited by a disability, and it's nice to see the comings and goings of supporting characters of varying abilities as well.
But that's only half the story. The Inspectors takes dusty topics such as identity fraud and Internet scams and turns them into compelling drama with touches of humor. The stories oversimplify the investigation process and the crimes themselves to accommodate plots that will keep kids' attention and fit the show's half-hour format, but they still convey a lot of excellent information that will help young people keep themselves safe in today's world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the threats The Inspectors explores. How do devices such as cell phones and tablets contribute to threats against our safety and the safety of our information? What rules does your family have about online safety?
What makes Preston a good role model? How does he show he's overcoming adversity on a daily basis? What challenges do you face that you must overcome? Does a hero have to be judged on his or her accomplishments, or can an accomplishment be a positive attitude alone?
Kids: How does your family stay in close contact even in today's frantically paced world? Why is communication with your parents vital to your safety?
How do the characters in The Inspectors demonstrate communication? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 3, 2015
- Cast: Jessica Lundy, Bret Green, Harrison Knight
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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