Parents' Guide to

The Unusuals

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Quirky cop dramedy isn't as graphic as other crime shows.

TV ABC Drama 2009
The Unusuals Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

Anna_lana
Anna_lana Adult
June 29, 2009
age 16+

Not for any viewers, but especially not younger audiences

I've been very disappointed in MANY ABC shows lately and The Unusuals isn't any exception. The stories generally have great potential to be fun and interesting but the language, violence and adult content makes the show WAY too much for viewers. Definitely would not allow younger viewers to watch and would exercise caution for any viewer.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE UNUSUALS is a quirky dramedy about a team of New York police detectives who use their street smarts and distinctive personalities to solve cases. Amber Tamblyn stars as Det. Casey Shraeger, who's suddenly transferred from NYPD vice to homicide and paired with Det. Jason Walsh (Jeremy Renner) after his partner's mysterious death. She finds herself working alongside an eclectic crime solvers like skittish Det. Leo Banks (Harold Perrineau), suicidal Det. Eric Delahoy (Adam Goldberg), obnoxious Det. Eddie Alvarez (Kai Lennox), and spiritual Det. Henry Cole (played by Josh Close). Shraeger soon discovers that her colleagues' unusual personalities seem to be covering some dirty little secrets -- and she sets out to find the truth.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

The Unusuals attempts to put a unique stamp on an otherwise ordinary crime series by introducing murder and corruption plotlines through the show's odd -- but mostly likable -- characters. Most of the show's lighter moments come from the characters' outlandish behavior or their far-fetched police tactics. But despite the fact that the writing sometimes seems more silly than witty, there are some subtle plotlines that make it interesting.

Like most crime dramas, the series has its fair share of violence, bloody images, strong language, sexual innuendo, and frequent discussions of criminal activity -- though it's not as graphic as shows like CSI, and the humor helps keeps things on the lighter side. Teens and adults who like this sort of thing may find it entertaining, but it isn't meant -- or age-appropriate -- for younger viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about shows that mix different kinds of genres/tones -- here, drama and comedy -- to create something that feels new. Can you think of shows that have done that successfully? What's the appeal? Families can also discuss the variety of crime shows on television. Why is this kind of show so popular? What sets one show apart from the others?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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.

See how we rate