Some random, unorganized thoughts about NBC's Parenthood: (this may not make very much sense to readers unfamiliar with the series)
-I would not be watching this show anymore were it not for my concern for how we (autistics) are being portrayed in popular media. The show is very trite, cliched, and not particularly compelling in general, after six episodes. It's hard to get that excited about what's going to happen to this (rather uninteresting) family when you know that everything will somehow become (temporarily) solved during the last ten minutes, with sappy music playing in the background. Even the divine Lauren Graham can't save this for me as a story.
-The parts of the most recent episode involving Max receiving behavioral therapy were extremely uncomfortable for me. It just seemed really icky and coercive and geared towards normalization. (With a large helping of more woe-is-me autism mother trope on the side.) Just...urgh.
-Shockingly (or not), the behavioral therapist turns out to be a Magical Therapist who not only helps Max play with another child, but gives soothing advice to his mom--allaying her fears and improving her sex life. All in one afternoon!
It really bothers me to see people who work with autistic people portrayed as saints with no obvious flaws, which is what this therapist character (Gabby) seems to be so far. Because obviously anyone who would choose to work with autistic people must be a saint, by definition. Far too many people actually believe that kind of nonsense, which obscures the very real power which therapists hold over their clients, and the very real potential (and actuality) of abuse. It's just really, really uncomfortable. Pretty Nice Behavioral Therapist Girl holds power over the children she works with.
-I have a serious dislike for Max's parents, thanks in large part to all of the woe-is-me-for-not-having-a-normal-child moping.
-Julia is one of the few adult characters I find myself at all sympathetic to, but the storyline between her and Raquel is just tired and tedious. Why must everything come back down to the stay at home mom vs. career mom thing? When, really, the idea that one should not flirt with someone else's spouse is really quite basic and has nothing to do with all of that crap.
-A love triangle plot between the mom, "rebellious" teenage daughter, and the English teacher? Really? (And why is it always the English teacher, anyway? Why not chemistry or history, ever?)
-I found myself hoping that the show would address the issue of Crosby's son being multiracial and how the lily-white family might react to that. Naturally, this issue has received no attention whatsoever thus far.
-Similarly, I was hoping we might get some commentary about discrimination against autistic people. Last week's episode in which we see several people condescending to Max seemed to suggest such an idea, but we didn't get anything more than a sappy ending, as per usual. Sigh.
Overall, I just don't understand the appeal of this show. Granted I'm not in the targeted demographic, not being a parent, but I can't imagine that many actual parents are enthralled by this trite crap, either. Real life does not magically fix itself at the end of each episode!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
I missed a couple of episodes, but I am enjoying it. Unless or until they make Max wear a helmet and a leash, the divine Lauren Graham makes up for a lot with me!
A couple of times, they peek in on Max's parents "in the throes". I thought back on Donna Reed and Carl Betz of "The Donna Reed Show". TV sitcom has come a long way.
That episode annoyed me.
First of all, why are folks always so eager to make people "normal"? They don't even know what it is, but they've got to go, play board games.
if the kid doesn't like board games, why should he play them? There's tons of things other folks can do besides play bored games if they don't like them.
Second, it's better to have real friends than a bunch of random people. I've always had a bit of trouble with playing with other kids. I liked walking around by myself making up stories. So perhaps I cannot understand a parent going OH NOES, MY CHILD ISN'T PLAYING WITH 50 OTHER KIDS! HOW BAD!
I never quite understand the whole freaking out about stuff like that thing in the first place. Seems the kid is OK the way he is. He was doing well in baseball. He likes lizards. Why not let him play with lizards and hang out with other boys who are like, ooo, look at this reptile. I fixate like crazy on moths and butterflies and I'd like to have more pupa. Like right now. They are so cute and adorable shaking in their pupa. But I am getting side track.
The whole whoa is me my child isnt' NORMAL thing annoys me. But when a child is "normal" they are going AUGH! THIS CHILD IS DRIVING ME UP A TREE escaping from the house and dating boys. Freak out!
So, yes, that show is annoying me and the parents are annoying me, but that irresponsible inked fellow is rather dishy.
This show hasn't made it to Australian shores as of yet, but I've heard a lot of reviews. The parents of autistic kiddos (who aren't autistic themselves) seem to like it a lot.
Like you, I'm perpetually annoyed about the continuous woe-is-me-my-child's-not-normal stuff. As I parent, I understand where it comes from; as an autistic person, I wish they'd just STOP already. But, I guess well-adjusted kids don't make for good drama, eh?
And why is it always the English teacher, anyway? Why not chemistry or history, ever?
Well, the history teacher would likely be the football coach, and that would add a whole extra layer of Wrong to it. Or maybe that's just in Texas.
(I live in Texas now. When I was in high school, I was in New England, and my history teacher coached one of the basketball teams. He was good at basketball, and he was an excellent teacher, something I didn't entirely appreciate at the time.)
Post a Comment