Parents' Guide to

Third Watch

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Heavy NYC hero drama is too violent for kids.

TV A&E , Syndicated Drama 1999
Third Watch Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

Rajiv Shori
Rajiv Shori Adult
July 28, 2022
age 2+
for medical professionals a very informative series dealing with acute and criticalcal situations in different case scenarios tall the actors are very practical and authentic in their acting

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

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?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

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

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.

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