Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Multi-layered suspense will engage older tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Pretender
What's the Story?
THE PRETENDER centers on a man named Jarod (Michael T. Weiss), who escapes a covert research facility called The Centre -- where he has lived since he was taken from his family as a boy -- after learning that his genius intelligence has been exploited in immoral ways. Cloaked in mystery, The Centre trains kids with high IQs to integrate into any situation and become experts in any field, using their adaptability to evil ends. Beautiful-but-fiery Centre operative Miss Parker (Andrea Parker) leads the effort to recapture the rogue escapee, aided by Jarod's longtime confidante, Sydney (Patrick Bauchau), and computer whiz Broots (Jon Gries). But thanks to the assimilation skills that years of Centre training taught him, Jarod stays one step ahead of them, keeping constantly on the move and posing as everything from a fashion expert to a hit man as he pieces together the mysteries of his family's past. Hoping to make amends for his role in The Centre's evildoings, he also uses his gifts to right the injustices he encounters and better the lives of the people he meets.
Is It Any Good?
Mixing emotional drama and suspense with mystery and touches of fantasy, The Pretender is a fun choice for thrill-seekers who can handle the many plot twists and heart-pounding surprises that lurk around nearly every corner. But check out a few episodes before giving tweens the go-ahead, since the show's shifting nature and often-mature themes -- which, along with the supporting cast, change in nearly every episode -- makes episodic subject matter (including violence and language) difficult to predict.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this show compares to more recent crime/action dramas. Does it seem less violent? How do you think it would be different if new episodes were airing today? Families can also discuss helping others. What do you get out of assisting someone in need? Tweens: Have you ever lent a hand to someone you didn't even know? Why did you do it? How far would you go to help someone? Would you do something immoral or illegal if it was for a good cause?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 19, 1996
- Cast : Andrea Parker , Michael T. Weiss , Patrick Bauchau
- Networks : Hallmark Channel , Syndicated
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 14, 2020
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