SIRENS: Episode 1.1

Name: SIRENS: Episode 1.1
Item: SIRENS: Episode 1.1
Author: Review

"Tensions Arise"

Family Content: -3 Excessive sex, violence, immorality, and/or worldview problems. (Sometimes excessive content such as violence is in otherwise redemptive movies.)

Entertainment Quality:

	None	Light	Moderate	Heavy
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity

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What You Need To Know:

SIRENS is a drama series streaming on Netflix. The first episode of SIRENS introduces viewers to Devon, who is struggling to care for her father, who has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and her sister Simone, who works as a personal assistant to a wealthy woman on a remote island. Devon travels to the island to try and convince Simone to return home and help her with their father, but she can't seem to break the connection her sister has with her mysterious boss, Michaela.

SIRENS is well-made, with beautiful sets, a stellar cast, and plenty of mystery and intrigue in its first episode. Overall, the series has a mixed worldview. Devon and Simone have a tense relationship, as Devon prioritizes family above all, while Simone thinks their father's dementia is not her problem. While there are some positive elements, like Michaela's charity work and Devon's commitment to sobriety, there are many instances of foul language, sexual content, alcohol use and smoking, and problematic family dynamics. MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong caution for viewers.

Content:

(B, Ro, LLL, V, SS, NN, A, D, MM):

Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements:

A mixed worldview; there are Romantic elements, as Simone and Michaela are focused on status and wealth, and some moral themes, such as Devon’s commitment to family — in one scene, she reveals she raised Devon and even gained custody of her at one point — and taking care of her father, as well as Michaela’s work in wildlife preservation.;

Foul Language:

33 obscenities, (including 16 “f” words and 3 “s” words, and 10 profanities, including many OMGs and “Jesus” used as an expletive). There are also multiple uses of the word “whore”;

Violence:

A bird flies through a window and breaks it. No one is harmed, but the bird is bloody;

Sex:

Devon performs oral sex on a man while riding the ferry to Port Haven, she also later is shown engaging in sexual activity with another man, but it is implied and nothing explicit is shown. In one scene, it’s established that Devon is having an affair with a married man, as well. She also tries to kiss one of Michaela’s employees, but he rebuffs her, telling her he has a wife and son. In another scene, Simone is shown undressing in her underwear and getting in bed with her boyfriend, but nothing explicit is shown. She and her boyfriend are also shown waking up together, implying they spent the night together the night before. There is also a scene where Simone coaches Michaela through a “sext” for Michaela’s husband;

Nudity:

Brief upper male nudity when a man is shown waking up in the morning, one scene shows Simone in lingerie;

Alcohol Use:

One scene takes place in a bar and a character drinks, but not to excess. Devon is also sober and is shown struggling with, but ultimately sticking to, her commitment to not drinking;

Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse:

Devon smokes cigarettes several times throughout the episode; and,

Miscellaneous Immorality:

Simone ignores Devon’s texts and calls, as she doesn’t want to deal with their father’s dementia and doesn’t think it’s her problem. She lied to her boyfriend and Michaela; she hid her past from her boyfriend, as she wanted to appear more privileged, and didn’t tell Michaela anything about her family. Simone conspires with Michaela to give Devon money to make her leave the island. Devon has an affair with her married boss and threatens to tell his wife if he doesn’t help her take care of her dad.

More Detail:

SIRENS is a drama series streaming on Netflix. The first episode of season one introduces two sisters, Devon and Simone, who are struggling to find common ground. Devon is at home, taking care of their father, who has early-onset dementia. At the same time, Simone’s job as personal assistant to the enigmatic Michaela on a remote island consumes her.

Devon is having a bad day; after being released from a night in jail, she comes home to find that, instead of any real support following their dad’s dementia diagnosis, Simone has sent a fruit basket. Enraged, Devon impulsively heads to Port Haven, where Simone works as a personal assistant to Michaela, a former attorney who married billionaire Peter Kell.

Devon confronts her sister and is concerned when she sees how deeply connected Simone is to Michaela, as well as the secrets she keeps from her boss, her secret boyfriend —a friend of Michaela’s and her husband —and the fact that she even had a sister.

As she explores the grounds of Michaela’s property, waiting for Simone to make time to speak with her, Devon becomes increasingly paranoid about the constant surveillance and security cameras everywhere, as well as the information that all employees must sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and never discuss Michaela and Peter.

After Devon enters a party Michaela is throwing without permission, Simone and Michaela take her outside. There, Michaela gives her a check for $10,000 and tells her she will take the first flight off the island in the morning. Simone refuses to go with her, preferring to stay with Michaela.

Devon reluctantly goes to a hotel in town, where she hooks up with the captain of one of the yachts in the marina. That night, she looks through a telescope on board and sees Michaela holding an injured bird to her chest.

SIRENS is a beautifully produced show featuring amazing sets and stunning shots of the beach and cliffs. Stars Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, and Milly Alcock give great performances, and the first episode contains enough mystery to make viewers eager to watch the next one.

Overall, SIRENS has a mixed worldview. Devon and Simone have a tense relationship, as Devon prioritizes family above all, while Simone thinks their father’s dementia is not her problem. While there are some positive elements, like Michaela’s charity work and Devon’s commitment to sobriety, there is excessive foul language and some sexual content. MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong caution for viewers.

Watch SIRENS: Episode 1.1 →

Quality:

- Content: -3