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What I'm Watching on TV

 I have been watching "Parenthood" along with "Succession," and it seems to me that the two shows are part of one tradition. This is the weirdly-entangled-adult-lives tradition.


"Parenthood" is a fairy tale that makes me slightly ill. Every time the grandfather gives a speech about "treasuring every moment," I want to throw things at the TV screen. The writing is also wildly irresponsible. The central couple can't accept that the school system is failing their quirky son, so they grow magical wings and superhero brains and construct a school of their own (within a few months). The school not only succeeds but becomes a kind of gold standard; all of this happens despite the fact that Kristina and Adam Braverman lack basic training in education. Although "Parenthood" pretends to be progressive in its treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, it sends a clear message that regular Americans don't really need to worry about this situation. A few parents will sacrifice their sleep and martyr themselves--and, in doing so, these parents will save the world. (There is a similar kind of nonsense at work in the Hilary Swank film "Freedom Writers.")

I have much warmer feelings about "Succession," a show that has been championed by my old teacher Amy Bloom. This show is mainly about language. Logan Roy visits the White House--and a peon observes that "this hallway leads to an array of doors before reaching the lobby." Logan says, "I've been here before, and I know how a hallway works. Fuck off." Later, another peon apologizes. "The President is unavailable, so we will need to make time for you with an alternate face." My husband works in the world of politics--and "alternate face" is exactly the kind of absurd term I would expect to overhear on a Zoom call (as I putter in the kitchen).

I'm also in love with Shiv Roy--who seems to be involved in kabuki theater. She is so detached from her own remarks, her eyes move on to "the next scheme" even before her mouth has finished articulating "Lie Number One." In Season One, she becomes impatient with a discussion about plans for her own wedding. "I look forward to it, but I can't get worked up about details. It might happen in England, OK? Or it might not. Moving on." This is clearly a terrible monster, but there is also (weirdly) a wounded human core. It's nice to recall that Sarah Snook eventually won an Emmy Award.

It's a treat to revisit "Succession"--to know that this writing will exist forever in your laptop computer. Would that the writers dropped all of their current "projects" and committed themselves to a fifth season.
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