In January, I told you that we were about to finish the show Downton Abbey. We had really gotten into the characters and the plot and watched the last episode with heavy hearts. We had my brother-in-law over to see the Downton Abbey movie, and it was wonderful. For some reason, I had heard that it was a disappointment, but all three of us really enjoyed it.
Mr. Handsome and I are not big TV watchers, but we do enjoy sitting down together for a short show before bed. Not every night, but more often than not. At the recommendation of a blog reader, we started the series Madam Secretary on Netflix. We are only in the second season, but we are already hooked.
The main character, Elizabeth McCord, is a former CIA analyst who is appointed to the position of United States secretary of state. She is a phenomenal actor and plays the role well. The series is a political drama, with just the right amount of comic relief. The plot shows a combination of work life and family life, as Elizabeth tries to put her best foot forward as a high-profile politician, while fighting to prioritize her husband and three children.
Madam Secretary is rated TV-PG, and while it’s not a series that younger children would be interested in, it is appropriate for older teens, with parental guidance. The language is extremely mild, which is something that both Mr. Handsome and I appreciate greatly. The series premiered on CBS in 2014, with the final episode airing in December 2019.
Have you seen Madam Secretary?
anonymous
No I have not seen it. I think a person would have to have already taken Valium before they sit down to veg out on that show. Must be ‘relaxing’.
Kim
Yes! Love that show. Madam Secretary is a great view into politics and relationships.
Alayna
Yes, my husband and I watched it and enjoyed it.
Maggie
We have preteen and teenage children. After looking up the show on Netflix, it mentioned some sexual content. We are looking for a new series that would entertain our age ranges but are concerned about any explicit content.
Ellie
Hi Maggie,
The content is minimal, and it is one of the cleanest shows I have seen in a while, but I agree that it wouldn’t be a great show for younger teenagers. Have you heard of the show ‘Monk’?
Ellie
Anonymous
I haven’t heard of ‘Monk’. Thank you for the suggestion and the clarification regarding ‘Madam Secretary’. I look forward to trying it in a year or two. It is challenging to find shows that fit all our age ranges and I appreciate your discussions on the topic. We rely on a Focus on the Family site called Plugged’n that also helps us navigate age appropriate shows. I highly recommend it.
Ellie
We love Plugged In. Great resource!
B
Ellie, My brother in law name is Monk so I always text him an tell him his tshow that has his name in it is on. He always laughs
Ellie
Thanks hilarious, B! Has he seen the show?
Ashley
I was looking at your reader’s suggestions for TV series from January and I thought of one my husband and I enjoyed a few years ago “ Larkrise to Candleford” I will have to re-watch it myself now that I remembered it. 👍
Ellie
Thanks for the suggestion, Ashley! Just looked it up. Looks great! My sister-in-law says she’s seen it and liked it. Definitely adding it to the list.
Ellie