Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Charming sitcom centers on a meta father-son relationship.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Unstable
What's the Story?
For decades, Ellis Dragon (Rob Lowe) has been a cultural hero, having invented a way to make biodegradable plastic from sugar cane in his eponymous biotech company, Dragon. But after his wife of three decades, Katie, was killed in a car accident, Ellis has changed from quirky to actually UNSTABLE. When he starts missing deadlines at work (as well as making even more questionable decisions in his personal life), Dragon's CFO Anna (Sian Clifford) begs Ellis' semi-estranged son Jackson (John Owen Lowe) to come and support his father. Reluctantly, Jackson joins his father at Dragon, and together the two make both scientific and personal discoveries.
Is It Any Good?
Anyone who lived through the 1980s (or watched Parks and Recreation) knows Rob Lowe is a charisma monster, and his interplay with his son is just as delightful in this light, enjoyable sitcom. The premise it's built on has legs, and we know that because it's cribbed from real life: The actual Rob Lowe is super-famous and almost universally adored, while his real son both loves his dad yet resents being in his shadow. Even more meta, John Owen Lowe resisted becoming an actor because he didn't want to enter his dad's field, just as his counterpart Jackson Lowe tries to stay away from science (despite his aptitude and talent). Together, the two are a charm factory, with delightful banter that hits harder because we wonder just how much truth is in every line.
The rest of the crew at Dragon Corp. is appealing, too: Scientists Ruby (Emma Ferreira) and Luna (Rachel Marsh) alternately team up on ideas and quibble about their different ways of addressing the world (Ruby is confident in both her work and her personal life, while Luna is science-obsessed and a little afraid of other people). Malcolm (Aaron Branch), Ellis' former assistant turned project manager, simultaneously adores Ellis and abhors the chaos he brings to his workplace. And Anna, Dragon's CFO, is trying to keep the whole company together and negotiating between the company's disapproving board and her wacky co-workers. It all adds up to a show that's part workplace comedy, part family dramedy: sweet, fun, and just meta enough to let us feel like we're getting a peek into the Lowes' real lives.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way that Ellis runs Dragon. How does he communicate with his co-workers and with his son? How does he come up with innovations and then transform them into real products? How do Ellis' co-workers and son respond to his style? What do his colleagues have to say about his methods? Is there a real-life counterpart to Ellis Dragon?
What are some of Ellis' defining character traits? How do other characters respond to him? Ellis is portrayed as an unbalanced person in pain, but what are his pros and cons as a character? Is he a good father? A good business leader?
What character strengths does the show promote? Do you consider the characters role models?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 30, 2023
- Cast : Rob Lowe , John Owen Lowe , Fred Armisen
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : April 18, 2023
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