Adolescence

Everyone is praising the acting, cinematography, and the astonishing technical achievement of filming an entire episode in a single continuous shot. And rightfully so. But in the end, what moved me the most in this real-time drama was something far more intimate-the heartbreaking realization of a father who comes to understand that he doesn't truly know his own son.

What can we really do as parents? How much control do we have over the people our children become? Are we responsible for both their virtues and their failings? These are the profound and unsettling questions at the heart of this masterfully crafted slow-burn drama. Every element-its pacing, its visual language, its raw performances-works in perfect harmony to confront us with this timeless, universal dilemma.

Wanted to watch the show because I heard a 16 year old won an Emmy, but oh God was I not prepared for how this show shatters every being of you.

I can't say anything that hasn't been said already, then again I don't want to hype it up too much. It's a very simple show, simple premise executed phenomenally with great acting and the insane logistics of a one-take for each episode. Whether or not a one-shot was the best decision for each episode deserves a conversation, there were times where I think an episode could have packed more punch if it had been cut more. Then again we can't hear sound without the silence that contrasts it.

This is such a thought provoking piece of media, about the effect of media. Internet Access, Mental Health, Parenting, are all topics I'm left questioning myself with. I'm left wondering If I dodged a bullet, not having grown up with social media or the internet. I'm also rethinking my parents, the mistakes they made but also where they found success.

I don't think I'm ever watching this again, but I'll probably replay it in my Head enough times to make up for it.

Did we love him enough, or love him wrong?

Were we too strict, or not strong?

Did we push him too far, expect too much?

Or did we not push him enough?

Did he hide his pain behind a smile?

Were we blind to it all the while?

Did we listen, or just assume?

Did he feel safe in his own room?

Was it the school, the friends he had?

Was it us, were we just bad?

Did we fail him, let him down?

Did he drown while we weren't around?

Was it the screens, the world online?

Did it tell him, "You're not fine"?

Did words on a phone cut too deep?

Did they steal his right to weep?

Could we have stopped it, if we knew?

If we had held him, pulled him through?

If we had said, "We're here, just talk," Would he have stayed, taken one more walk?

Who do we blame? The world? Ourselves?

Do we lock the past on dusty shelves?

Or do we ask, do we learn, So no more Jamies fail to return?

"Adolescence" is a wound so real, A story that makes you stop and feel.

A parent's grief, a lesson told, A tale too heavy to let go cold.

There is so much about this series. The actors - I would have to remind myself that that is what they were - actors. Every one of them so genuine and convincing in their roles. The scenes from the police station, a type of environment I am acquainted with, outstanding how they captured the different personas and the roles they had. How they managed to get the youngsters play like that is beyond me. The filming, every epiode in one shot. How did no one ever cast a glance at the camera? The maneuvering of the cast around the scenes, popping up when supposed to. Again, I forget I was watching tv, I thought I was actually there.

There was no real closure to any of the episodes. Just gut-wrenching hurt. No winners. And perhaps did it not matter that we never witnessed the trial. It's besides the point.

The last episode was the hardest to watch. I just wanted it to end, the quiet and unrelenting pain of the family.

Of course there is the deeper meaning of the series, raising of children, especially in this day and age, internet, confusion, being on the outside and feeling frustration and anger against something you don't even know what is. I am pretty sure this series is more of an eye-opener to parents than to their children, who live in this reality.

I gave this a 10/10 mostly because of the cast and the filming.

What can be said about Adolescence that hasn't already been said? Adolescence is about how a family's life is turned upside down when their 13yr old son is arrested for murdering a classmate. The first thing I need to bring up is just how cool they shot this show, it had to be extremely hard for everyone involved. What they did was shoot every single episode in one long camera shot. No editing or going from one person to another. It was crazy and had to incredibly tough. It killed at the Emmy's last night by winning a bunch of awards, six to exact. It also has a ridiculous 98% on Rotten Tomatoes too. Bottom line is Adolescence is a powerful and outstanding series.