Fans waited two and a half years for the release of Ginny & Georgia season 3, and the first two episodes have left viewers with NO room to breathe.
That’s largely due to the fact that season 2 ended on a pretty big cliff-hanger, with Georgia being arrested on suspicion of murder. Just when fans thought the show would end on a lighter note—and Georgia finally decided to stop running from her problems— reality set back in, and Georgia’s past reared its ugly head once again. That leaves us to wonder, will Georgia and her family make it through this next test unscathed, or will she have to face her day of reckoning with what she fears most: being separated from her children?
Throughout Season 1 and 2 of Ginny & Georgia, we don’t know if Georgia can be trusted, but we come to understand the fierce love she has for her kids and her deep desire to shield them from experiencing the hardships that she had to endure. She tells so many lies and deceives so many people, that she takes on a completely new identity. One person who doesn’t buy the façade is her daughter, Ginny.
Unbeknownst to Georgia, Ginny attempts to deal with some of her own trauma by self-harming. She has so much compassion for her mom, but has had to cope with the fact that her mom won’t face or try to heal past wounds. Georgia's response instead is to uproot her family and start a new life whenever she hits a roadblock. She doesn’t realize that her carefree parenting and borderline toxic positivity create a different cycle of bad habits for her daughter.
The lessons for adults and teens are extremely well-written into this family drama, but is the season true to its TV-14 rating?
Ginny and Georgia is rated TV-14
Seasons 1, 2, and 3 of Ginny & Georgia are all rated TV-14 for language, self-harm, sex, smoking, and substances. How does this show differ from shows with a typical TV-MA rating with the same type of content? I think it comes down to the target audience. While TV-MA series are typically geared for adult viewing, TV-14 series can have some mature content, while still targeting or relating to a younger audience. Because viewers get close and personal with the lives and problems of adults and teens in Ginny & Georgia, the show does seem appropriate for viewing together with your teen.
Sex & Nudity: While there hasn't been any full nudity, sex is definitely a big theme in the show. In the first two seasons, characters refer to sex frequently, and one of the main characters loses her virginity. Ginny’s mom doesn’t shy away from addressing the topic. Also, Ginny’s mom, Georgia, was a teen mom, and viewers see the impact that had on her life.
The topic is addressed very delicately because there is no shame directed at Georgia. Instead, fans get a glimpse of how Georgia made things work for her little family by any means necessary, while still seeing the reality of the hardships that a young mother experiences. We can expect to see the theme of sex to continue to develop in season 3 within Ginny and Georgia’s circles in manners that are appropriate for their ages.
Watching this show with your teen can open the door for you to discuss your own values with your teen. Teens are extremely likely to come across these conversations with peers in those early teen years anyway, and it is more empowering and educational if these conversations start in a safe space at home.
Violence: Though there is a bit of a murder mystery taking off in season 3, there is no real gore involved. There are, however, scenes that allude to domestic abuse in one of Georgia’s earlier relationships. That relationship has a very important role in the overall plot, so we expect to see more flashbacks of Georgia during that time. The good news is that we see how Georgia managed to get away from that situation, although it’s still haunting her happiness and safety in the present.
Self-harm is another form of violence seen throughout the series and makes a return in season 3. The difference we see now is that Ginny is in therapy related to her thoughts of self-harm and verbalizes her concerns to her therapist and a trusted friend. Another teen in the show is shown throwing up in the bathroom on several different occasions, alluding to a potential eating disorder that has yet to be addressed. Surely that part of the plot will develop more throughout the season.
Language: The language of Ginny & Georgia is mildly vulgar, typical of teens and young adults going through very tough situations. Yet, there is also some tact to the way adults speak with each other, because it takes place in one of those small-town, ‘make a good impression’ communities. Since Georgia is married to the mayor and taking on the persona of being a southern belle, there is more of an effort on her part to censor foul language. Nevertheless, prepare for the b-word, along with words in a similar category, such as s**t, a**hole, damn, and d**k. Consider it rare to hear the f-word, but it is still a possibility.
Drinking and drugs: Season 3 of Ginny & Georgia is leaning in the direction of heavier alcohol and drug use than the first 2 seasons, mostly due to a character suffering from a mental health disorder and engaging in substance abuse as a distraction. Teens in the show use recreational drugs frequently and seem to drink alcohol on the regular as well. We do see some teen characters get drunk, but it’s not the focus of the show. Adults in the show drink casually, but not to the point of abuse.
Ginny & Georgia is worth watching with your teen for the themes alone
Due to the fact that teens are exposed so early to the topics of sex, substances, mental health struggles, and harmful coping mechanisms, I highly recommend watching this show with your teen. This show is probably appropriate for teens as early as age 13, depending on their level of maturity, although the TV rating suggests 14 or older.
As a middle school teacher, I can also say that many pre-teens experience these thoughts and conversations long before they set foot into high school. The more you know about what your teen is facing, the more equipped you will feel to create boundaries, offer advice, and seek help when needed. Ginny & Georgia does a great job of bringing these issues to life, along with potential solutions.