Timeless – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Timeless

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2016

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Time-traveling historians chase a villain through history—think Doctor Who meets National Treasure, with more gunfights and occasional side-boob.

7.6/10

91%

67%

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Timeless

show

TV-PG, 2016

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Time-traveling historians chase a villain through history—think Doctor Who meets National Treasure, with more gunfights and occasional side-boob.

7.6

91%

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7.6/10

91%

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Screenwise Verdict

Timeless is a solid popcorn show that happens to involve history—think of it as a gateway drug to actual historical interest rather than the real thing. The time-travel premise is fun, the characters are likable, and the production values are decent (hence the 91% critic score).

That said, it's not going to win any awards for historical accuracy, and the violence/brief nudity mean you're definitely waiting until middle school. The 67% audience score suggests it's a bit uneven—some episodes land better than others—and it got canceled after two seasons, so don't get too attached.

If your teen liked National Treasure or enjoys Doctor Who but found it too British, this could be a good fit. Just don't expect it to replace their history textbook, and maybe preview an episode if you're sensitive to the content warnings. It's entertaining enough to keep a 13-year-old engaged without being total brain rot, which honestly is half the battle these days.

Age Fit

This is solidly a 13+ show—the violence isn't Game of Thrones level, but people get shot regularly, and the brief nudity (while not explicit) will catch younger kids off-guard. Teens who can handle Marvel-level action and are starting to get interested in history will find this engaging.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The show models teamwork and cooperation through its trio of protagonists working together to protect history. Character arcs are generally positive, though the moderate violence (gunfights, explosions, frequent deaths) and occasional strong language (damn, hell, crap, ass) keep it from being fully family-friendly. The emotional tone is balanced—not overly dark—but the action sequences can be intense for younger viewers.

Imaginative

Time-travel premise offers genuine creativity and variety, dropping viewers into different historical eras from the American Revolution to the Space Race. Each episode presents a new setting and historical puzzle, which can spark curiosity about real events. However, the show leans heavily on familiar time-travel tropes and 'mission-of-the-week' structure rather than breaking new ground. It's more 'fun adventure' than 'mind-bending sci-fi.'

Safe

Multiple safety concerns for younger viewers: moderate-level violence with blood-spattered action scenes, frequent character deaths, brief nudity (woman in bra, topless bedside scene, nipples visible through nightgown), and occasional profanity. These elements aren't gratuitous but they do appear regularly throughout the series. Common Sense Media and IMDb parental guides both flag these issues, pushing the appropriate age to 13+. Parents won't encounter shocking content if they're expecting a teen action show, but younger kids stumbling onto it could see more than intended.

Enriching

The historical settings provide genuine educational hooks—kids might get interested in the Hindenburg, Apollo 11, or Lincoln's assassination. However, the show takes deliberate liberties with facts for dramatic effect, making it a conversation-starter rather than a history lesson. It does raise interesting ethical questions about changing the past and consequences of actions. Entertainment value is solid with good pacing and character development, but it's not particularly deep or transformative.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Each episode drops you into a different historical era (American Revolution, Space Race, Hindenburg disaster), which can genuinely spark interest in real history
Strong team dynamics and character development—the trio's banter and relationships grow throughout the series
Raises interesting ethical questions about changing the past and playing with consequences
Fast-paced action keeps things moving; won't bore teens who need some adrenaline with their history
High critic ratings (91% on Rotten Tomatoes) suggest it's actually well-made, not just educational fluff

⚠

What to Watch For

Moderate violence throughout—gunfights, explosions, and people die regularly (though not gratuitously gory)
Brief nudity in a few episodes: woman in bra, topless scene with side breast visible, nipples through nightgown—limited but present
Occasional profanity (damn, hell, crap, ass)—not constant but sprinkled in
Historical accuracy takes a backseat to drama—use it as a jumping-off point for discussion, not a substitute for actual learning

Conversation Starters

"If you could go back and change one thing in history, what would it be? What might go wrong?"
"Which historical event from the show would you most want to witness in person?"
"Do you think the show gets the history right? What should we look up to find out what really happened?"
"If you had a time machine, would you use it to fix mistakes in your own life or to change bigger historical events?"

Stills