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Screen for YOUR familyThe Librarians (2014) is a fantasy adventure television series that continues the story from 'The Librarian' film series. It centers on a secret society of librarians who are the guardians of magical and mythical relics, tasked with protecting an innocent world from a magical and fantasy-like secret reality. The show follows a new team of recruits – an art historian, a thief, a mathematician, and a warrior – who, along with their Guardian, embark on weekly adventures to track down artifacts and defeat powerful villains. The series blends mythology, history, and magic with a lighthearted, campy tone, emphasizing teamwork, problem-solving, and intelligence. It's suitable for older children, teenagers, and adults who enjoy fantasy action with an educational twist.
The show is deeply rooted in witchcraft and occult themes, as its premise is that 'All Myths Are True.' It extensively features magic, mythical relics, gods (e.g., Cupid, Pan, Anubis), folklore characters (e.g., Merlin, Lancelot), magical artifacts, and spellcasting. Demonic possession is explicitly depicted with characters like Prospero possessing Shakespeare and Apep possessing people. Characters utilize magic tattoos, psychic abilities, and love potions.
The series' premise is 'All Myths Are True,' featuring magic and mythical relics. Characters encounter 'gods like Cupid and Pan, plus folklore characters like Hansel and Gretel, Excalibur, Elaine of Astalot, Lancelot, and Merlin.' Demonic possession is shown with Prospero possessing Shakespeare and Apep possessing people. Characters are involved with 'magic tattoos,' 'psychic abilities,' and a 'love potion.'
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The character Cassandra Cillian is explicitly identified as queer. In Season 3, she comes out of the closet and shares a kiss with a female vampire friend, Estraya. Earlier seasons hinted at her queerness, and an alternate version of Cassandra implied an intimate relationship with her Guardian, Baird. Additionally, in 'And a Town Called Feud,' two male characters mention having feuded over other boys.
The series features fantasy action and magical battles inherent to its 'monster-of-the-week' format, where characters face life-threatening situations and fight villains. The violence is generally not graphic or gory. An example includes a character draining the life of a little girl and other innocents in one episode.
Romantic elements include kissing scenes and implied intimate relationships. Notably, Cassandra Cillian shares a kiss with a female vampire friend in Season 3. There are no explicit sexual acts or graphic nudity depicted in the series.
Profanity is present in the series, described as 'sporadic' but can 'sometimes be harsh.' This suggests occasional use of stronger language rather than frequent or pervasive cursing.
The show includes fantasy action, 'supernatural scares,' and an 'intensity level' appropriate for teens, featuring 'monster-of-the-week' elements and confrontations with 'big villain[s].' Demonic possession is also a recurring theme, contributing to suspense and danger, but the content is not described as graphic horror.
Individual characters demonstrate rebellious or disrespectful behaviors within their backstories or personalities. Ezekiel Jones is portrayed as a 'consummate thief' and 'amoral,' belonging to a 'Criminal Found Family.' Jacob Stone hid his intelligence from an 'abusive father.' These are character-specific instances rather than a pervasive theme of disrespect towards general authority.
The series operates on the premise that 'All Myths Are True,' incorporating various religious and mythological figures without exclusive endorsement of any single real-world religion. Some portrayals, such as the 'Patron Saint of Thieves' as a villainous figure trying to destroy Christmas, or Anubis as an evil god of death (diverging from some mythological interpretations), could be seen as reinterpreting or adapting figures from Christian tradition or other religions for narrative purposes. However, there is no explicit mocking or insult of Christian beliefs.
There is minimal to no explicit depiction of substance use such as illegal drugs, alcohol, or smoking in the series itself. No parent reviews or content warnings for the show highlight substance abuse as a concern.
The Librarians presents a world where 'All Myths Are True,' meaning various gods, magic, and mythical beings from diverse cultures and traditions coexist and are actively involved in the world. From a Christian worldview, this can be problematic as it blurs the lines between biblical truth and pagan belief systems, potentially normalizing or glorifying practices and beings contrary to Christian teaching. While the show doesn't explicitly mock Christianity, its portrayal of figures like the 'Patron Saint of Thieves' as villainous or the adaptation of other religious figures for plot purposes could be seen as disrespectful or misleading concerning their traditional contexts. The core themes often revolve around fighting evil and protecting humanity, which can align with Christian values of justice and self-sacrifice. However, the source of 'good' and 'evil' is rooted in a relativistic, mythological framework rather than a transcendent, biblical one. Character morality in The Librarians is generally geared towards heroism, with characters using their unique talents to save the world. Virtuous acts of courage, loyalty, and problem-solving are rewarded, while selfish or destructive actions are typically shown to have negative consequences. However, the definition of 'virtue' can sometimes be flexible, particularly with characters like Ezekiel Jones, a thief whose skills are often essential, reflecting a utilitarian morality where the ends justify the means. Moral accountability is present, with characters facing consequences for their choices, but the framework for that accountability is more secular and humanistic than biblically grounded. The worldview presented is largely a transcendent view of life in the sense that magic and powerful beings exist beyond human comprehension. However, it leans towards a relativistic spirituality where all mythologies hold equal truth and power, rather than a singular, objective truth as presented in Christianity. Redemption themes are present in characters' growth and their willingness to sacrifice for the greater good, but these are often framed in terms of human effort and magical intervention rather than divine grace or forgiveness through Christ. Family values are present in the 'found family' dynamic of the Librarian team, emphasizing loyalty and support, but traditional family structures are sometimes portrayed as flawed or secondary to the team's mission. Faith, when depicted through the various mythologies, is presented as a powerful force, but it is a multifaceted, syncretic faith in a magical reality rather than a specific faith in the God of the Bible. Overall, while containing positive messages about courage and teamwork, its underlying spiritual framework diverges significantly from a Christian worldview.
TV-PG. Recommended for ages 12-15 for co-watching, with mature 10-11 year olds who handle fantasy action well potentially enjoying it. Common Sense Media rates it 14+ due to intensity and peril.
The series focuses on the importance of knowledge, teamwork, and problem-solving, often incorporating historical, literary, and mythological references into its adventures. While it deals with magical and supernatural threats, the overall tone is generally lighthearted and adventurous. Some parent reviewers note that while it's a 'teen show,' it offers educational value alongside entertainment.
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