Welcome to a television review. I would prefer to only review books, but I feel when you find a good, even great, story–it’s worth a watch.
If you are unfamiliar with TRANSPARENT, here is the synopsis from IMDB:
“An L.A. family with serious boundary issues have their past and future unravel when a dramatic admission causes everyone’s secrets to spill out.”
Honestly, this doesn’t clear much up, so I’ll tell you this. After living a lifetime in confines of a mans world, Mort Pfefferman comes out as a transsexual named Maura. Set here in Los Angeles, the Pfefferman’s live in a world that most would be envious of. They have the house, the bank account, the two cat in the yard–but no one is happy.
TRANSPARENT first aired on Amazon Prime in 2014, and let me tell you, season one wowed me. This is a topic you don’t see on television. Maybe more now, but not when it first touched the airwaves. As a writer I love how complex the roles are. The cast of characters are all slightly crazy, living lie after lie. One by one the socially acceptable words they built around themselves crumble leaving each character in a hot mess of their own making.
I like this show, BUT I actually didn’t care for season 2. Firstly, I didn’t hate it–but the story lines for each character turned me against them. What feeling I had build for them in season 1 dwindled away by the season finale of season 2.
Season 3 is what brings me here today. Turning a reader or viewer around is hard as a writer/creator. A lot of times the reader/viewer will simply walk away. There are thousands of books to read and thousands of television shows to watch–but I went back, and I’m glad I did.
My contempt for Ali–the youngest and possibly the most messed up Pfefferman–transformed into compassion. That actually happened for all of the children of Mort/Maura. Their selfish nature’s that forced me to condemn them last season turned me on my heels this season and turned me into a total mom.
“It’ll be okay, honey. Just eat this and come sit for a while.”
As a writer, what I learned from TRANSPARENT Season 3, is forgiveness. Humans are fallible, we all know this–but displaying true navel deep vulnerability will bring your characters to life. This makes them relatable–even when they’re life is nothing like yours, because deep down inside all of us is that flicker of insecurity we have to master, daily.
If you haven’t had a chance to see TRANSPARENT, all three season are available on Amazon Prime for your streaming pleasure. Created by Jill Soloway and staring Jeffery Tambor, Gabby Hoffman, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, and Judith Light–it’s the best 24 minutes you’ll treat yourself.
PS–Judith Light really should get a nomination for her role as Shelly Pfefferman this year. If my two cents counts, please make that a thing.
Happy watching! xxoo-A
Word Junkie 