ORPHAN BLACK: ECHOES parents guide
Orphan Black: Echoes is a new sci-fi drama series that parents may want to review before allowing their teens to watch. Here is a parents guide covering key details on maturity rating, advisory warnings, and overview of themes.
Maturity Rating
Orphan Black: Echoes is rated TV-MA, meaning it is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17. It contains:
- Strong language
- Strong sexual content
- Graphic violence
Parents should use discretion based on their child's level of maturity before allowing them to watch this show.
Advisory Warnings
Orphan Black: Echoes contains the following content that parents should be advised of:
- Sex & Nudity - Strong sexual content includes partial nudity, simulated sex, references to sex toys and masturbation, and strong sexual dialogue.
- Violence & Gore - Very strong violence includes torture, fighting, blood splatter, gory crime scenes, and images of mutilated bodies.
- Profanity - Pervasive strong language includes regular use of F-words.
- Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking - Recreational drug use, substance addiction, references to psychedelics like LSD. Heavy social smoking and drinking.
- Frightening/Intense Scenes - Some intense and graphic scenes related to violence, death, cruelty and disturbing imagery.
Parents are strongly cautioned and should monitor viewing or prohibit access altogether based on their judgement of child's maturity.
Themes Overview
In addition to the advisory warnings, parents should be aware Orphan Black: Echoes contains complex themes related to:
- Identity issues - Main character struggles with questions of self identity after discovering she is a clone.
- Nature vs. nurture - Explores impact of genes versus environment on human behavior.
- Unethical science - Storyline exposes dark side of tech innovations, including experiments on human cloning.
- Murder investigations - Includes crime scene analysis and hunting serial killers.
- Drug addiction - One main character battles substance abuse and addiction.
- LGBTQ relationships - Depicts bisexual and lesbian relationships.
Parents are encouraged to watch the show first to judge appropriateness before allowing their teen to view it. Use mature themes as opportunity for thoughtful discussions with your teen. Consider setting viewing restrictions and ground rules upfront, including no unmonitored viewing.
Appropriate Age Recommendations
| Age Group | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under 14 | Not appropriate, prohibit viewing |
| 14-16 | Strong caution, monitor/restrict access |
| 16-17 | Parental guidance suggested |
| 18+ | Appropriate for mature adults |
Orphan Black: Echoes is specifically targeting mature adult audiences. Parents of teens under 17 are strongly encouraged to restrict access and monitor all viewing.
In summary, Orphan Black: Echoes explores complex themes and contains pervasive strong content. Parents are advised to apply appropriate age restrictions.
Expert Review from Common Sense Media
As an additional expert second opinion, parents can refer to the Common Sense Media review of Orphan Black: Echoes. Their analysis provides further guidance on questionable content by age group to inform parent judgements.
Talking with Your Teen about Mature Content
Instead of an outright ban, some parents may choose to allow restricted, co-viewed access as opportunity for thoughtful conversations about compalex themes. If so, here are tips on discussing mature content:
- Clarify your concerns and rules upfront before viewing together.
- Ask them to pause scenes that feel inappropriate so you can discuss.
- Encourage them to ask questions rather than make assumptions.
- Share your family values and perspective respectfully.
- Listen thoughtfully without judgement. Keep lines of communication open.
Handled appropriately in alignment with your child's maturity level, co-viewing Orphan Black: Echoes could enable meaningful learning experiences.
Orphan Black: Echoes requires thoughtful parental guidance on age-appropriate access. Refer to this overview of maturity rating, warnings, and complex themes to inform your judgements as a parent. Restrictions and collective viewing with thoughtful discussion is strongly advised, especially for young and impressionable teens under 17.