Good Trouble – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Good Trouble

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2019

58%

WISE Score

7.5

IMDb

The Fosters spinoff where twenty-somethings tackle social justice, careers, and hookups in a LA communal living situation—earnest but very adult.

7.5/10

69%

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Good Trouble

show

TV-14, 2019

58%

WISE Score

7.5

IMDb

The Fosters spinoff where twenty-somethings tackle social justice, careers, and hookups in a LA communal living situation—earnest but very adult.

7.5

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Screenwise Verdict

Good Trouble is basically what happens when The Fosters grows up and moves to LA—less family drama, more hookups and activism. It's got heart and tackles important issues around race, justice, and workplace ethics, which is genuinely valuable. The Metacritic score of 83 isn't nothing.

But let's be real: this is a young adult drama with all the sex, drinking, and messy relationships that come with that territory. It's not subtle about it either. If you're looking for something enriching for your 14-year-old, this probably isn't it—the maturity level skews older despite the rating.

For 16-17 year olds interested in social justice or heading to college soon? It could actually be a good watch with some solid conversation starters. For adults who like earnest, issue-driven dramas? Sure. But for younger teens or family viewing? Hard pass. The WISE score reflects that it's doing something worthwhile but in a package that's firmly adult.

Age Fit

This is really for older teens (16+) and adults. The mature content, sexual situations, and adult relationship dynamics make it inappropriate for middle schoolers, despite the 14+ Common Sense rating. If you loved The Fosters and your teen is genuinely interested in social justice issues, this could work for 16+, but it's not family viewing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Good Trouble is a spinoff of The Fosters that follows young adults navigating careers, relationships, and social justice issues in LA. The show models diverse friendships and tackles real-world challenges, but includes mature relationship content, sexual situations, and adult themes around dating, workplace dynamics, and activism that aren't exactly 'wholesome' in the traditional sense. It's earnest about community and standing up for what's right, but the tone is decidedly adult.

Imaginative

The show explores contemporary social issues through multiple storylines about tech, law, activism, and creative careers, which offers some perspective-taking. However, it's primarily a relationship drama in a fairly conventional TV format. It doesn't push creative boundaries or invite much active imagination from viewers—it's more about watching characters deal with realistic scenarios than anything particularly inventive or thought-provoking in execution.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this 14+, and that tracks. The show includes sexual content, drinking, some drug references, and mature relationship situations that would be inappropriate for younger viewers. While it's not gratuitously violent or graphic, the sexual content and adult themes mean it's not something you'd want a kid stumbling into unexpectedly. It's a young adult drama with all that entails—hookups, workplace sexual tension, and relationship drama.

Enriching

This is where Good Trouble actually shines. The show tackles timely issues like workplace discrimination, activism, gentrification, criminal justice reform, and tech ethics. It features diverse characters dealing with real systemic issues, and attempts to explore multiple perspectives. For older teens and young adults, it can spark important conversations about social justice, career choices, and navigating adulthood. The Metacritic score of 83 and IMDb 7.5 suggest it's doing something right in terms of meaningful content.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tackles real social issues like workplace discrimination, criminal justice reform, and tech ethics with nuance
Diverse cast and storylines that reflect contemporary young adult experiences
Strong critical reception (Metacritic 83) suggests thoughtful writing about systemic issues
Can spark important conversations about activism, career choices, and navigating early adulthood
For older teens interested in social justice, it's more substantive than typical relationship dramas

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What to Watch For

Sexual content and relationship situations that are definitely not for younger viewers
Drinking, partying, and some drug references typical of young adult life
Heavy focus on romantic and sexual relationships alongside the social justice themes
Some storylines involve workplace harassment and discrimination that may need context

Conversation Starters

"What do you think about how the characters balance their personal values with career pressures?"
"Have you experienced or witnessed any of the workplace issues shown in the series?"
"How do you think young people can make a real difference on social issues they care about?"
"What would you do if you had to choose between a job opportunity and your principles?"

Stills