Adolescence

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.

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.

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.

As a parent, I found it to be an eye-opening watch-scary, puzzling, and deeply psychological. It felt genuine and painfully realistic as the motive behind the crime slowly revealed itself. The pacing of the scenes and the camera work were exceptionally well done. The dialogue was well-written, with just enough silent moments to encourage introspection and allow us to reflect on the issues raised in our own lives and experiences.

Not to mention the incredible acting-the performances were outstanding. I even went back and rewatched some parts after realizing that the young actor had never performed on screen before. What a talent-natural, captivating, and truly remarkable. An amazing start to what will hopefully be a long and successful career on screen.

Thank you!