Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: this show has a genuinely interesting premise and fills a real gap in how we tell space race history. The wives' perspective is fresh, and there's solid educational value here.

But let's be real—a 47% critic score and one-season cancellation tell you this didn't quite nail the execution. It's got that earnest, slightly melodramatic network TV vibe that was already feeling dated in 2015. Your teen might find it slow or overly soapy compared to the tighter prestige dramas they're used to.

That said, if you've got a teen who loves history, period pieces, or stories about women supporting each other through hard times, this could spark great conversations about gender roles, sacrifice, and what it means to live in someone else's shadow. Just don't expect them to binge it—this is more 'watch an episode when you're in the mood' than 'can't stop watching.'

The historical education is real, the themes are mature and meaningful, but the entertainment factor is... fine. It's fine.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13-17 who are interested in history, strong female characters, or period dramas. The mature themes (death, marital issues, emotional weight) make it inappropriate for younger kids, while the earnest 2015 network-TV style and one-season cancellation mean most adults won't be compelled unless they're specifically into space history or period pieces.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Based on real historical events, the show models female friendship, resilience, and mutual support during challenging times. The wives rally together through tragedy and celebrity, showing cooperation and emotional strength. However, the show deals with mature themes including the threat of death for the astronauts and marital strain, which tempers the wholesomeness slightly. The tone is generally respectful and emotionally grounded rather than chaotic.

Imaginative

58

While the 1960s space race setting offers visual period detail and historical intrigue, this is a character-driven drama focused on real events rather than creative exploration or world-building. It doesn't particularly invite viewers to imagine, create, or explore beyond watching the story unfold. The 'behind-the-scenes' angle provides some fresh perspective on a well-known era, but it's more observational than imaginative.

Safe

68

Common Sense Media rates it for age 13, suggesting some mature content but nothing extreme. The show deals with 'death-defying missions' and 'tragedy' touching their lives, which could include tense moments and loss. Likely includes marital tension, period-appropriate gender dynamics that may feel dated, and emotional distress. No indication of graphic content, but the emotional weight of potential astronaut deaths and the stress on families would be difficult for younger viewers. For teens 13+, these themes are handled in a dramatic but not gratuitous way.

Enriching

70

Offers genuine historical education about the space race from an underrepresented perspective—the wives who lived in the shadow of American heroism. Viewers learn about 1960s American culture, gender roles, media influence, and the personal cost of national achievement. The show builds empathy for women navigating sudden fame and constant fear. However, with a 47% critic score and 60 Metacritic, execution may be uneven, limiting its enrichment potential. The audience score of 78% and IMDb 7.3 suggest it resonates emotionally despite critical reception.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Shines light on an underrepresented historical perspective—the women behind the space race heroes
Models female friendship, solidarity, and resilience during an era of rigid gender roles
Provides real historical education about 1960s America, the space race, and media culture
Strong audience ratings (78% RT, 7.3 IMDb) suggest emotional resonance despite critical mixed reviews
Explores themes of sacrifice, identity, and the personal cost of national achievement

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What to Watch For

Deals with mature themes including potential astronaut death, marital strain, and emotional distress—definitely 13+ territory
Period-appropriate gender dynamics may feel frustratingly dated or spark good conversations depending on your teen
One-season show from 2015 that got cancelled—no closure if you get invested
Mixed critical reception means some episodes may drag or feel melodramatic

Conversation Starters

"How do you think you'd handle it if your partner had a job where they might die at any moment?"
"The wives became instant celebrities just because of who they married—what would be hard about that kind of fame?"
"Why do you think history books focus so much on the astronauts but barely mention their families?"
"How have expectations for women changed since the 1960s? What's still the same?"

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