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Decoding the Past

(Rated TV-PG, Educational, Starring Ted Allen, Where to watch: History, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Mysterious history docu has some intense moments.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series routinely deals with mature issues like religion, cults, conspiracies, and unexplained events.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Graphic descriptions of murder, torture, suicide, cannibalism, and other violent topics. Weapons of war and crime (guns, knives, hatchets) are shown in photos and re-enactments as their uses are described, and shots of corpses and dismembered skeletons are common.

  • Sex:

    Photos and artwork occasionally depict nudity (breasts, buttocks, etc.), but it's all pretty non-sexual. In video footage, all sensitive areas are blurred.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    When the subject calls for it, discussions include detailed descriptions of drugs used to subdue crime victims, as well as their effects on the body and mind when used recreationally.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Decoding the Past

Parents need to know that this documentary series delves into a wide range of mature topics like cults, conspiracy theories, religious mysteries, and unexplained disappearances. The show's ever-changing subject matter makes predicting content difficult, and the controversial and potentially confusing nature of most of the stories ensures the series isn't for kids. In addition, graphic descriptions of violence (murder, torture, and cannibalism, for example) may be too much for sensitive tweens and teens, so parents will want to screen some episodes carefully before giving the go-ahead.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the media's role in education. Is the purpose of this series to educate, to entertain, or both? Does it succeed in its goal? Does it fall short in any way? Are there certain types of shows whose information is more credible than others? Which ones? Can viewers take everything they hear from those programs at face value? How is the credibility of facts and legends affected by sources, time, and debate?
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