Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kiefer's emotional drama explores fatherhood, connections.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Touch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 10 kid reviews
Kids say the show delivers an emotionally impactful narrative about a father navigating life with a special needs child, emphasizing themes of connection and the complexity of relationships across different cultures. While the first season captivates viewers with its intricate and interconnected plot, some feel that the second season adds unnecessary violence and may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- emotional storytelling
- cultural exploration
- intricate plot
- suitable for teens
- some violence
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Kiefer Sutherland stars in TOUCH as Martin Bohm, a former reporter, 9/11 widower, and single father. His son, Jake (David Mazouz), is an emotionally challenged 11-year-old who won't speak, resists human contact, and is obsessed with numbers. Over time, Martin realizes that his son isn't just trying to communicate with numbers but is actually using Fibonacci number sequences (numeric sequences that connect seemingly unrelated things) to predict events before they happen. With the help of Professor Arthur Teller (Danny Glover) and social worker Clea Hopkins (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), Martin follows the roadmaps created by Jake's numeric sequencing in order to understand what it is that his son is telling him -- and to potentially stop something from happening. As a result, he changes the destiny (often unknowingly) of different people around the world.
Is It Any Good?
This intelligent, well-written series tells an interesting story by combining the events of 9/11, mathematical theory, and the challenges that come with raising a child with special needs to create a backdrop for each episode's story. Watching how each narrative impacts select individuals around the world is also very compelling.
While Jake's gifts are somewhat supernatural, the show does a good job of highlighting the complex challenges that come with trying to communicate with a child who can't do so in traditional ways. It also reminds us that people, like numbers, are interconnected in ways that we can't even dream of.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how disability is portrayed in the media. What messages do you get about the boy's abilities and disabilities from Touch? How accurately does the show depict living with a disability? Do you think fictional shows are suited to help educate viewers about disorders like autism, etc.?
How do numbers come into play in this show? Do you think math is a good way of understanding how the world works? Do you think shows like this one could make math more interesting to teens?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 25, 2012
- Cast : David Mazouz , Gugu Mbatha-Raw , Kiefer Sutherland
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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