Parents' Guide to

The Protector

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Single mom as savvy detective; strong language, some blood.

TV Lifetime Television Drama 2011
The Protector Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

THE PROTECTOR is a dramatic series starring Ally Walker as the recently divorced Gloria Sheppard, a LAPD homicide detective who is juggling her demanding career with single motherhood. When the energetic Sheppard isn't solving murder cases with the help of partner Detective Michelle Dulcett (Tisha Campbell-Martin) and officer Ramon Reyes (Terrell Tilford), she is raising her sons Nick (Sage Ryan) and Leo (Thomas Robinson) with the help of her adult younger brother Davey (Chris Payne Gilbert). Not surprisingly, her life gets pretty complicated, especially when her unorthodox crime solving methods irritate her boss, Lieutenant Felix Valdez (Miguel Ferrer).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The show's combination of conventional crime-solving narratives with heartfelt family drama isn't particularly original. However, the fact that these stories are being told from the point of view of a woman trying to balance the two makes it somewhat unique.

Granted, Sheppard's ability to do it all (and look good doing it) feels pretty unrealistic. But her likable personality, combined with her boundless energy, is what makes the series entertaining.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it is like to balance a career with being a parent. How do police officers and detectives keep some of the difficult and violent parts of their job separate from their family life? Is it harder for moms to do this vs. dads? Parents: Do you think this show offers a realistic portrayal of how hard it is?

  • Talk about the juxtaposition of family life and violence. Does it feel uncomfortable? What is the appeal of a show that combines these two elements?

TV Details

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