DATE MY DAD: Episode 1
A promising family series with mixed messages.
Should You Watch It?
DATE MY DAD has a warm center. The relationship between widower Rick and his three daughters is touching, and the series stresses family, fatherhood, and healthy family interaction. The characters are likable, and the premise may improve in later episodes.
But the first episode also brings problems. Rick sees and talks to the spirit of his dead wife, presenting a false and unbiblical view of the afterlife that may confuse young viewers. The story also places too much emphasis on finding a romantic partner, while implied innuendos do not fit comfortably in a family-oriented program.
For now, families should wait and see whether later episodes strengthen the show's good themes and address its mixed messages.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESRick is a former professional baseball player, a single father of three daughters, and the co-owner of a gym with his brother. He is also grieving the sudden death of his wife, Isabella, three years earlier.
When Rick's daughters decide he should start dating again, he resists. But the girls are determined to help their father move on, even if their efforts cross the line.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means DATE MY DAD is promising but uneven. It has sweet moments, likable characters, and a touching relationship between Rick and his daughters.
The writing is often on the nose, repetitive, and cheesy. The characters can feel one-dimensional. The episode has a positive emotional center, but its execution needs to improve in later installments.
The Worldview
DATE MY DAD mostly presents a positive and moral worldview. It stresses the importance of the family unit, fatherhood, and a loving family interacting in a healthy way. The relationship between Rick and his daughters is the show's strongest expression of these values.
The episode also presents several troubling ideas. Rick interacts with the spirit of his deceased wife, and Rosa explains that the spirit is present because Rick needs to change something in his life. This occult and unbiblical view of the afterlife may confuse young viewers. The series also puts too much emphasis on the inherent value of finding a romantic partner, both for Rick and for his daughters.
The story could have more clearly explored the daughters' desire for Rick to find a new life partner as a need for a mother, rather than simply assuming dating is the answer. Some implied innuendos further weaken the program's family emphasis.
The series rightly values family and fatherhood. Scripture likewise calls fathers to care for their children: “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview stresses the importance of the family unit, fatherhood and being a loving family; mitigated by some Romantic elements putting the emphasis and inherent value on finding a romantic partner, as well as some occult paganism in the form of a husband talking to his deceased wife’s spirit, plus light anti-capitalist scene where a police officer shuts down three girls’ lemonade stand for trying to turn it into a dating service as well; no foul language; no violence; no sex, but light innuendos imply sex outside of marriage; no nudity, but older woman wears revealing outfits at times, and shows cleavage; multiple scenes of drinking; no smoking or drugs; and, character says “I hate you” to his brother, some lying is condoned, and some lying isn’t condoned.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Rick's daughters want him to date again. How can a family care for someone who is grieving without deciding for that person?
Romans 12:15 · Galatians 6:2The episode presents fatherhood and family love as important. What does faithful care look like in your family?
Ephesians 6:4 · 1 Timothy 5:8Rick talks with the spirit of his dead wife. What does Scripture teach about death, and why should Christians be discerning about spiritual claims?
Hebrews 9:27 · Deuteronomy 18:10–12The girls' plan turns a lemonade stand into a dating service. When does creativity become deception or misuse of trust?
Ephesians 4:25 · Proverbs 12:22The Final Word
DATE MY DAD has a sweet family heart, but its spiritual and romantic messages need clearer handling. Give later episodes time to show whether the series can grow into its promise. For now, our answer is WAIT AND SEE.
