Comedy
Dead Boy Detectives
Dead Boy Detectives targets teens in style and story. But it comes with very adult, problematic content.
Shelly’s doing just fine. Really.
Oh sure, she has all the stresses of being a stay-at-home mom: school obligations, endless housework and lack of appreciation. And yes, stress may be amplified by her husband, Jason, who’s possibly having an affair; her youngest son, Niall, suffering from a life-threating respiratory condition; and a troubled relationship with her stepson, Derek.
And we haven’t even started talking about the murder Shelly committed.
That murder begins while Shelly is out grocery shopping, and a man named Charlie approaches her. She’s frightened, and yet (for the audience) their interaction seems oddly familiar. After some convincing, Shelly agrees to meet Charlie at his hotel.
There, Charlie gushes about his newfound spiritual salvation, imploring Shelly to repent from her sins (which Charlie apparently knows all about) as well. When she refuses, Charlie dials Shelly’s husband, planning to reveal her sins to him. In a panic, Shelly shoots Charlie, leaving as his blood pools on the floor.
All things considered, though, Shelly’s doing just fine.
She’s done everything she can to hide her trail. And she’s even home in time to make dinner.
Surely Shelly can evade detection and move on with her life, right?
Well … Jason’s position as head investigator for the case might complicate things a bit.
Clean Sweep’s driving plot device is a murder, but bloody violence is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this show’s content concerns. Characters liberally use harsh profanity including the f-word and misuses of God’s name, and some of this profane language escapes the mouths of Shelly’s children. Several times, teenagers are seen smoking, and it seems Shelly’s favorite coping mechanism is a large glass of wine.
And then there’s the sexual content. Although their marriage is certainly troubled, Jason’s and Shelly’s most intimate moments are graphically represented in the show. What’s more, both of them express feelings for individuals outside their marriage, sometimes acting on those emotions. And based on our research, a character will likely engage in a homosexual relationship later in the season.
In Clean Sweep, which originally aired in Ireland, we watch Shelly transform from calm and collected to flustered and neurotic. Her affliction? Guilt.
Other than the whole murder thing, Shelly’s a pretty good person. But as she’s faced with the gravity of her actions, Shelly begins to unwind. Even though she seemingly dodges suspicion and conviction, her sentence to suffer in silence might be the worst kind of punishment.
But for every compelling comment on human nature is a concerning content issue. And although Clean Sweep offers a telling glimpse into the human psyche, its content makes it a show the whole family won’t want to watch.
Shelly Mohan is overwhelmed by the pressure of being a stay-at-home mom. But after she murders a man from her past, Shelly must also deal with mounting guilt.
In the show’s opening credits, we see blood on someone’s hands. A character shoots someone twice, and we see his blood spill and splatter. Later, this character is seen washing blood from her clothing. Jason, a detective, interviews a child who has experienced domestic abuse. After work, Jason’s kids jokingly ask him if he shot anyone today. A character has a stress dream in which a version of herself attacks her. A man reveals he has been stalking Shelly’s family.
Jason calls Shelly “sexy.” Later, we see the couple engage in very graphic sex. At one point, we see Jason’s bare backside. After their intimate moment, Jason attempts to recap their sexual escapade. A woman is seen wearing only her underwear. Later she wears a somewhat revealing tank top. Derek, Shelly’s stepson, is seen wearing only his underwear, and we see Jason without his shirt.
At a PTA meeting, a married man flirts with a married woman. Later, they go out for a drink together, and the man attempts to kiss the woman. Another married character has an affair with a coworker.
While the Mohan kids eat breakfast, Derek states that eggs are “chicken fetuses” that were fertilized with “rooster slooge.” On their way to school, Caitlin (Shelly’s daughter) complains that it’s unfair that boys don’t get periods. Niall (Shelly’s young son) responds that boys do not have uteruses. We see a character use the restroom, but nothing critical is seen. A character vomits.
Caitlin tattles on Derek revealing that a girl gave him a hickey. Later, Caitlin tells her mom that there is a boy at school who likes her. Shelly gives her advice since Caitlin does not like him back.
Characters use the f-word 12 times, the s-word four times and “c–k” once. There are also three misuses of God’s name and three crude uses of Jesus’ name. Additionally, we hear one or two uses each of “p-ss,” “a–hole,” “g–d–n,” and “h—.” At one point, Derek tells his sister to “shut it,” and a character uses the phrase “DILF,” jokingly stating that the “F” actually stands for “friend.”
Several characters drink alcohol or mention drinking. Shelly mentions that she needs to take valium pills. At one point, Derek smokes marijuana with his friend.
Caitlin rolls her eyes at her mom, and Derek calls her “mental.” Derek also lies to Shelly about smoking. Later, Derek tells Shelly that it’s no wonder her husband sleeps around. Shelly slaps Derek after he says this.
Niall has a condition that requires he take medication. Later, this illness causes him to cough up blood. Because of his condition, Niall states that he hates his life.
A character claims that he’s found God, and he begs someone to repent from her sins and be baptized in Jesus. In response, the character says the phrase, “F— God’s plan.” A Bible is seen on a table.
To clear her name, Shelly lies about various actions. Jason mentions that Derek plays video games involving zombie gangster Nazis. And a parent, jaded by PTA politics, jokingly states that Hitler got his start at parent-teacher conferences.
Shelly attempts to mend problems at home and cover her tracks from the murder. Meanwhile, Jason believes he has a lead in his investigation.
Shelly goes to great lengths to cover up incriminating evidence. She snoops through her husband’s files and lies to her husband about her relationship with the victim. She also sneaks into private buildings.
Jason and his partner, Fiona, witness a very graphic autopsy in which the pathologist discusses the anatomy of the corpse in detail. At one point, the pathologist cuts open the dead body and examines its flesh. Viewers, obviously, see blood. We also see the corpse’s inner anatomy laying on a table.
On his way to school, children verbally and physically bully Niall because of his medical condition. There is a flashback scene in which children experience domestic abuse. In another flashback, gunshots are heard.
Characters use the f-word seven times and the s-word four times (including a use of “bulls—“). We also hear single uses of the words “a–,” “c–k,” “c–t” and “bollocks.” A character misuses Jesus’ name, and detectives refer to a suspect as a “whore” several times. Derek calls Shelly a “b–ch,” and he says the word “ijits” which is Irish slang for “idiot.”
Jason and Fiona have sex, and although nothing critical is seen, the moment is especially intimate. After their lovemaking, Jason claims that the secret to a happy marriage is keeping secrets. Later, Jason goes to bed with Shelly, where he is unclothed (nothing critical is seen, however). Shelly walks outside in her pajamas, and Derek is seen without his shirt on. Shelly and Jason kiss. And a teenage girl instructs Derek to “snog” her. Later, they are seen passionately kissing on a bed.
In class, Caitlin starts her period, and we see the blood on her fingers. Kids rudely refer to her as “Bloody Mary.” (We hear discussion about menstruation elsewhere, as well.)
During their investigation, detectives discuss how the murder might have something to do with a drug deal, and Shelly is seen taking medication. We also see a teenage girl smoking.
Several characters refer to drinking, and a man mentions that the only way he was able to survive a teaching job was through bourbon. Fiona invites Jason to grab a pint with her, and we see a group of parents drinking together. We also see Shelly drinking a glass of wine.
In a flashback scene, there are mentions of “God’s plan” and salvation. At one point a character mentions he believes chaos is good. There is also a scene in which a character burns a Bible.
At dinner, Shelly’s kids are clearly upset with her. Derek gets so angry he slams the door to his room and yells at Shelly.
Dead Boy Detectives targets teens in style and story. But it comes with very adult, problematic content.
An elf mage contemplates on connection and regret as she watches her human friends grow old and pass away.
