Matlock (1986) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Sexual content is minimal and implied. Episodes occasionally reference extramarital affairs, seduction, or infidelity as motives for murder, but these are discussed rather than depicted. For example, 'The Marriage Counselor' involves a counselor seducing female clients, and 'The Assassination (Part 2)' briefly mentions a pornography operation using underage girls, which is treated as a severe crime.

Violence is a recurring element as each episode centers on a murder investigation. The acts of violence themselves are almost always depicted off-screen, with the focus on the discovery of the body and the subsequent investigation. Descriptions of murders can be intense, involving methods like stabbings, shootings, or other forms of assault. There is very little blood or gore shown, maintaining a mild visual depiction of violence, even when the context is severe.

Language is consistently mild, with no profanity or strong curse words used. Exclamations are limited to very infrequent uses of mild terms like 'darn' or 'heck,' typical for a TV-PG rating. The series maintains a family-friendly vocabulary throughout its legal and investigative narratives.

Themes include murder, false accusation, revenge, justice, and moral dilemmas. Episodes like "The Husband" and "The Body" explore themes of infidelity and betrayal. "The Fisherman" touches on racism and prejudice within a community. "Blind Justice" delves into the topic of domestic abuse, while "The Genius" features a mentally challenged character wrongly accused. The series often highlights the corrupting influence of greed and power, as seen in "The Billionaire" and "The Power Brokers."

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Matlock yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.