Three Pines

What’s it about?

Three Pines is a contemporary murder mystery series set in Quebec, Canada. The show is centred on the empathetic Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and is based on a series of novels by Louise Penny.

The facts

• Stars Alfred Molina as Chief Inspector Armand Gamache
• English and French with English subtitles
• Episodes are approximately 50 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This show was self-rated by Prime Video. Prime Video self-rate series by episode. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Violence

There are very brief depictions of violence that don’t show a lot of detail. These include a woman being intentionally electrocuted, a woman being beaten with a shovel, and several people being shot (but wound detail isn’t shown).

Offensive language

The word “f**k” and similar are used very occasionally to add emphasis or as an expression of frustration. Coarse language, such as “shit” and “assholes”, is used occasionally.

Suicide & Suicide themes

Episode 2 is rated 16 as it depicts an elderly woman attempting suicide and a younger woman suiciding by jumping off a building. In the case of the younger woman, suicide is shown as a means of getting the attention of the authorities. A mature viewer will understand the context of the suicide within the story, and appreciate that it is fiction.

Episodes 5 and 6 contains a scene where a character threatens suicide with a rifle, and Episode 7 depicts the aftermath of a hanging which may, or may not, be a suicide.

Sexual themes

The show contains storylines that deal with adult relationships including infidelity and affairs, with limited discussion of sex. These references are unlikely to leave a lasting impact on younger viewers.

Discrimination

The show deals with a missing young indigenous woman as a storyline throughout the season. This fictional narrative is representative of the real stories of thousands of indigenous women who have gone missing, likely murdered, in Canada and deals with the criticisms of the authorities who have failed to investigate these cases. Some scenes take place in a local art gallery that highlights the plight of the missing women.

Cruelty

Historical abuse at a residential care home for indigenous children is a key plot detail in Episodes 3 and 4. This is discussed while images of a dungeon under the care home are shown. No victims are shown in that setting as the disturbing detail is more implied. There is discussion about a woman verbally abusing her daughter in Episodes 1 and 2. Again, disturbing detail is limited.

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?