Ep. 44: The Creature Cases
05/17/22 • 50 min
SUMMARY
This week, Laura and Kara are in the studio to review the brand-new Netflix children’s show The Creature Cases. This animated series follows two detectives, Sam Snow and Kit Casey, as they solve mysteries and provide plenty of animal education along the way. The 30-minute episodes target the 4–8-year-old set with an ideal blend of adventure and useful facts.
OUR THOUGHTS
The Creature Cases theme song is all instrumental, leaving the ladies without an opportunity to lead the show off in song today. Sorry!
Kara and Laura love this one, and so do their kids. It strikes them as a Carmen Sandiego, Chip n Dale’s Rescue Rangers and Octonauts mashup. In fact, this one came from the creators of Octonauts, which will be an upcoming review. Check out our recent Carmen Sandiego episode here to find out what we thought of it. Chip n Dale is getting the reboot treatment on May 20, 2022 with a cast lead by Andy Samberg, John Mulaney and Will Arnett.
They love the educational elements and visits to real life areas. The snappy and engaging storylines make the 30 minutes go by quickly. They also love that empathy was a common theme in some episodes, particularly as applied to animals and the environment. The more children are exposed to the idea of respect for the planet at an early age, the better. One episode about teamwork and conflict resolution brings Laura back to her experience as a therapist when she’d have similar discussions with her clients.
There is one animal called a Deer Mouse (not to be mistaken for a Dormouse) and another animal called a Mouse Deer. The mouse deer is the smallest hooved animal on Earth. And it’s cute. Look how freakin’ cute this thing is. Just look at it.
POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC
They downplayed some of the venomous animals a bit. Gila monsters and snakes can be very dangerous for children. Both Kara and Laura’s children could have the occasion to run into venomous animals, given that they live in Texas, and they’d have preferred a bit more focus on the dangers of some of these animals.
Otherwise, no additional issues!
SHOULD THEY WATCH IT
Kara: Yes
Laura: Yes
SIDE CONVERSATIONS
Tiny Laura has entered the chat
Bocce is back and Kara has been holding back a story about what Laura’s daughter Daphne did while Laura was away for the week. When one kid stole a ball from Kara’s son Michael, Daphne went to work. She comforted Michael in the same way Kara has seen Laura do with upset friends in the past. However, shortly thereafter, she pointed out that Kara does not hold her wine glass like mommy does. Oh boy. Here’s one traditional way to hold a wine glass.
Adults watch tv too
Real World Homecoming, which brings the Real World New Orleans cast back together after 22 years has Laura completely entranced. Laura is also watching The Sex Lives of College Girls and Russian Doll.
Kara’s taste in shows is wildly different from Laura’s, as she is just finishing the
SUMMARY
This week, Laura and Kara are in the studio to review the brand-new Netflix children’s show The Creature Cases. This animated series follows two detectives, Sam Snow and Kit Casey, as they solve mysteries and provide plenty of animal education along the way. The 30-minute episodes target the 4–8-year-old set with an ideal blend of adventure and useful facts.
OUR THOUGHTS
The Creature Cases theme song is all instrumental, leaving the ladies without an opportunity to lead the show off in song today. Sorry!
Kara and Laura love this one, and so do their kids. It strikes them as a Carmen Sandiego, Chip n Dale’s Rescue Rangers and Octonauts mashup. In fact, this one came from the creators of Octonauts, which will be an upcoming review. Check out our recent Carmen Sandiego episode here to find out what we thought of it. Chip n Dale is getting the reboot treatment on May 20, 2022 with a cast lead by Andy Samberg, John Mulaney and Will Arnett.
They love the educational elements and visits to real life areas. The snappy and engaging storylines make the 30 minutes go by quickly. They also love that empathy was a common theme in some episodes, particularly as applied to animals and the environment. The more children are exposed to the idea of respect for the planet at an early age, the better. One episode about teamwork and conflict resolution brings Laura back to her experience as a therapist when she’d have similar discussions with her clients.
There is one animal called a Deer Mouse (not to be mistaken for a Dormouse) and another animal called a Mouse Deer. The mouse deer is the smallest hooved animal on Earth. And it’s cute. Look how freakin’ cute this thing is. Just look at it.
POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC
They downplayed some of the venomous animals a bit. Gila monsters and snakes can be very dangerous for children. Both Kara and Laura’s children could have the occasion to run into venomous animals, given that they live in Texas, and they’d have preferred a bit more focus on the dangers of some of these animals.
Otherwise, no additional issues!
SHOULD THEY WATCH IT
Kara: Yes
Laura: Yes
SIDE CONVERSATIONS
Tiny Laura has entered the chat
Bocce is back and Kara has been holding back a story about what Laura’s daughter Daphne did while Laura was away for the week. When one kid stole a ball from Kara’s son Michael, Daphne went to work. She comforted Michael in the same way Kara has seen Laura do with upset friends in the past. However, shortly thereafter, she pointed out that Kara does not hold her wine glass like mommy does. Oh boy. Here’s one traditional way to hold a wine glass.
Adults watch tv too
Real World Homecoming, which brings the Real World New Orleans cast back together after 22 years has Laura completely entranced. Laura is also watching The Sex Lives of College Girls and Russian Doll.
Kara’s taste in shows is wildly different from Laura’s, as she is just finishing the
Previous Episode
Ep. 43: Gabby's Dollhouse
This week, the ladies are full of ALL the theories about the children's mega-hit, Gabby’s Dollhouse. . What is Gabby's REAL story? Where exactly is she? Who's in charge? And most importantly - are your kids safe watching this show?
Our Thoughts
The show reminds Laura and Kara of Blue’s Clues in that the characters interact with the audience by asking questions and through meaningful pauses.
Gabby’s solitary living situation reminds Kara and Laura of the disturbing late 80’s drama Flowers in the Attic where a family of young children are locked in an attic for a stretch. Kara may have read this book when she was in middle school and Laura definitely read the Dollanganger Children series.
We also have a feline problem. Cats won't paint your nails, clothe you or bake you cupcakes. Mamas, don’t let your kids dress your cats or they’re gonna get scratched.
Laura can’t help but feel as if she’s sitting through a toy commercial during each episode. Having recently watched The Orange Years, about Nickelodeon choosing its programs to sell toys to kids in the early 90s, Laura senses a setup.
Should they watch it?
Kara: Yes
Laura: No
We still think you should watch Ada Twist, Scientist instead.
Side Conversations
If Laura had a dollhouse, it would be made of cheese. One room for fondue, a holey one for swiss, brie, queso, and a fancy charcuterie room. There would even be a cheesy bellboy to take your bags at the door.
Kara took her son and a friend to a meet and greet with Last Kids on Earth author Max Brallier. She recaps the time that she and her mother met comedy legend Carrot Top. Laura met acting great Ron Perlman while he was wrapping up Sons of Anarchy and made him smile with a couple jokes.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite platform. Follow us on Instagram and check us out at shouldtheywatchit.com.
Next Episode
Ep. 45: Super Pupz
“Theres no time for lollygaggin so lets get crackalackin”
SuperpupZ: From the creators of Airbud, comes a live-action series about four super-powered dogs that team with kids and an alien to save the world (we think that’s the goal? We are confused!). Silly special effects and plot holes galore charm the ladies.
Today’s guest: We’re excited to welcome Heather Tune, co-host of the I Can’t Mom Today Podcast and mother of four-year-old Baker. I Can’t Mom Today is a podcast for moms, with a focus on first time moms. Listen here, check them out on instagram or join their facebook group to learn more! SuperpupZ was her recommendation and it didn’t disappoint. Next time she’s in, we’re looking at a group re-watch, and may even check out her favorite childhood movie of The Last Unicorn.
Positives
Emphasis on teamwork. Discusses the mind-body connection related to depression and anxiety. Highlights challenges of owning a puppy, allowing for conversation with kids about responsibility in pet ownership. Uses storytelling to discuss concepts of aging.Mild educational value related to science
Target audience
3-7 Some kids could be confused by the timeline if they can’t read.
Highlights
The special effects are outrageously bad and there are plot holes galore. The top two:
The alien never uses its superpowers to make all of the problems go away.
Despite extensive lab testing (that nobody pays for) the dogs’ chips are never tested and no attempts are made to find their owners.
At one point, the bad guy Rocco falls into a tub of fish guts and presumably to limit budget (or smell), he spends the rest of the episode with glitter on his costume.
If you enjoy off the wall shows with odd choices everywhere, this one’s for you.
Potentially Problematic
The older brother abandons his baby sister repeatedly. There is some inappropriate behavior by children towards their caregivers. There is some dangerous and reckless behavior including entering burning buildings. Some gross-out humor. The adult characters are wildly incompetent.
Should They Watch It?
Kara: No. COULD they watch it? Absolutely.
Laura: No. COULD they watch it? Yep.
Heather: Yes
Remember to check out I Can’t Mom Today and if you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite platform. Follow us on Instagram and check us out at shouldtheywatchit.com!
Should They Watch It? - Ep. 44: The Creature Cases
Transcript
The views and opinions expressed by their should they watch a podcast are those of two moms who happen to be a registered play therapist and a voice actor for cartoons. So while they may feel their opinions come from a knowledgeable place, they are still in fact just opinions. Should they watch it? A podcast that takes the task of reviewing your kid's favorite shows up your to do list? Hello, and welcome to the should they watch it Podcast. I'
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