The Outpost
Common Sense says
- CW
- Science Fiction
- 2018
Parents say
Kids say
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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 Outpost is a fantasy series about a brave female adventurer on a quest to avenge the slaughter of her people. There's plenty of action as numerous people are impaled on swords, shot with arrows, or pummeled with war hammers, but they're mostly bloodless deaths. Teens who enjoy The Shannara Chronicles or whose parents have shown them Xena: The Warrior Princess may find something to enjoy in this campy, so-serious-it’s-silly show.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
The outpost
Very Bad Acting, Cringeworthy
What's the story?
As a young girl, our heroine, Talon (Jessica Green), witnessed the slaughter of her people, an elf-eared race known as Blackbloods, leaving her the last of her kind. The story picks up 13 years later as Talon, now a skilled fighter, is hot on the trail of the men who killed her family and people. They've been spotted recently at THE OUTPOST, a walled city known for its lawlessness and inhospitable population. Granted access to the Outpost by handsome Captain Spears, Talon's quest for vengeance appears to be nearing a conclusion. But when she discovers that it was mercenaries who murdered her people at the behest of a greater evil, she realizes her adventure is only beginning.
Is it any good?
This series is marred by subpar acting and below-average production values, yet there are some pleasures to be had in this Xena-esque adventure. Jessica Green brings a striking quality to heroine Talon and handles the fight choreography impressively. However, when the script needs her to convey toughness through means beyond fighting, she's much less convincing. Overall, though, all the actors sincerely commit to the material, and that seriousness somehow makes it more fun to watch.
Also of note is the intriguing world-building the show sets in motion. There are some freaky creatures called "plaguelings" that have a unique biology that makes them hard to kill, and the Blackbloods can summon portals that release a mysterious destructive force. This is never going to be Game of Thrones, but if you're looking for some fun fantasy viewing this summer, maybe stop by The Outpost.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the concept of revenge in media. What are some other revenge stories you've encountered? Why do you think creators and audiences find revenge stories so compelling? How is Talon's revenge story portrayed in The Outpost?
Sometimes to enjoy a show or movie or book, people say you need to "suspend disbelief." What does this mean? Do you find this easy to do or hard to do, or does it depend on the show? Why? Can you think of a time when you just couldn't suspend your disbelief?
TV details
- Premiere date: July 10, 2018
- Cast: Jessica Green, Anand Desai-Barochia, Jake Stormoen
- Network: CW
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Great Girl Role Models
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: DVD, Streaming
- Last updated: March 13, 2020
Themes & Topics
For kids who love fantasy
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
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