Tom Swift
Sci-fi flop has drinking, stereotypes, materialism.
Tom Swift
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Tom Swift is a sci-fi adventure that has some drinking, stabbing, fighting, explosions that result in death, references to porn, and hooking up among characters. The main character, Tom, struggles to come to terms with his queer identity, especially after his father criticizes his "sensitivity," and his "tight-ass pants." Women wear revealing clothes and are sent out to "distract" powerful men, while family members steal scientific secrets. Language includes "damn," "hell," "ass."
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What's the Story?
TOM SWIFT is a 21st-century version of a book series of the same name published in the early 1900s. In both versions, Tom is an inventor who underachieved in school, but whose natural talent for innovation earns him a reputation for genius. In this version, Tom is a Black man whose father began a billion-dollar empire based on cutting-edge science. Tom himself has helped create the ground-breaking fuel responsible for propelling his father's journey to Saturn. But when something goes terribly wrong with the mission, he blames himself. Will he discover the source of the mission's problem? Will he learn to forgive himself for mistakes he's made?
Is It Any Good?
Disappointing because it could have been great, this version of a beloved book series manages to make mincemeat of a legacy. The characters are dropped into scenes to announce lines riddled with cliches, and subplots about Tom's gay identity verge on the ridiculous. Powerful women ask each other about their make-up secrets, then are trotted around for show, reducing them to stereotypes. Even the opulent sets feel overlooked because they're taken for granted by the characters. Great sci-fi is immersive. This show is too self-congratulatory to invite the viewer inside.
A sci-fi series based on the Tom Swift books, revamped to feature a Black dynasty of geniuses, really is a promising premise. On paper, this show looks like it would be fun to watch -- and teens might want to indulge. Sadly, this one misses the mark.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about alcohol use in Tom Swift. Tom grabs a bottle of hard liquor at his father's funeral, then stumbles on his words while delivering the eulogy. When is drinking a social event? When is it inappropriate?
An inventor like Tom Swift thrives on the character trait of curiosity. What drives you?
Certain women in this show are told they are "hot" and "beautiful." Are the men told the same things? Why does it matter?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 31, 2022
- Cast: Ashleigh Murray, LeVar Burton, Tian Richards
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Adventures, Robots, Space and Aliens
- Character Strengths: Courage, Curiosity
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 5, 2022
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