Common Sense Media Review
By Sierra Filucci
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heavy NYC hero drama is too violent for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Third Watch
What's the Story?
Gritty, powerful drama THIRD WATCH follows the personal and professional lives of a group of New York City police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. The three groups often interact, but many episodes focus on just one set of characters at a time. Some episodes are procedurals, in that a single crime or issue will be introduced and resolved within an hour, while other storylines follow a seasonal or multi-episode arc. The show's diverse cast included many talented actors over the years, with fans getting pulled in by characters whose lives beyond the uniform were sometimes as compelling as their professional careers.
Is It Any Good?
The intimacy between both romantic couples and those working in the intense circumstances of emergency services made for compelling -- if not exactly surprising -- drama.
Even though it originally aired on network television, Third Watch -- which is fraught with grisly violence and emotional tension -- pushed the limits when it came to violence and language. Because of that, as well as its general adult themes, parents will probably want kids to steer clear. The show also dealt directly with the September 11 terrorist attacks; it's powerful stuff, but not for the faint of heart.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the situations presented on the show seem realistic. Do you think the violence and/or emotional content is played up? Why? What makes shows like this one compelling -- the characters, the issues they deal with, or both? Families can also discuss what compels people to choose risky professions. What would we do if no one wanted to do jobs like these? What are the benefits of working in a high-stress field like emergency services?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 23, 1999
- Cast : Bobby Cannavale , Michael Beach , Molly Price
- Networks : A&E , Syndicated
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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
Suggest an 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