1. The Characters Are Multi-Dimensional.
The ‘gray’ characters. Not black or white. Not good or bad. Just in-between. Like all of us. The show captures their ‘humanness’ so perfectly.
2. It Shows Different Types Of Abuse.
‘Is this abuse?’ is a question this show answers so poetically. Sometimes abuse isn’t a black eye. Sometimes it’s manipulation or belittlement or keeping someone ‘small.’ Emotional/financial abuse is a thing, and this show brings it to the forefront.
3. It Holds Emotional Value.
The visual representation of how everything FEELS. Ugh. My heart. When she literally melts into the couch at the brink of depression. Never seen anything like it.
4. It Gives A Face To The Faceless.
How it puts a face to those on government assistance. Alex goes through 7 types of government assistance in the show, and every single one is very much needed. She is not abusing the system; instead, the system is failing her.
5. It’s Based On A True Story.
The fact that it’s based on a true story…and exemplifies the REAL LIFE story of hundreds of thousands of people living in this never-ending cycle. It’s a show every parent, every employer, and EVERYONE needs to see when deciding how to treat someone before knowing what they’re going through at home.
6. It Shows The Unimaginable Yruth.
It’s hard to watch in the best way possible. It makes you uncomfortable about things that should make you uncomfortable.
7. It Shows The Struggle Of The Main Character.
There’s a running tally of her bank account on the screen, and we see her funds go up/down/up/down. This isn’t a linear story, but rather a realistic rollercoaster (and the show has a ton of quirky methods to SHOW you that).
8. It’s Wholesome.
It’s the story of a mom’s unwillingness to let her daughter grow up in the same situation that she did. Breaking a generational curse.
9. The Protagonist Is The Star Hero.
Alex is the hero of her own story. Not her partner. Or her parents. Not the government. She can’t trust most people around her; which is a sad reality for so many. Instead, she makes a way for herself and her daughter.
10. It’s A Great Show.
It’s just a dang good show. I immediately went out and bought the book, looked up everything about the author, and restarted episode one. I can’t shake it, and I want to tell everyone about it.
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Whitney of Trains and Tantrums. You can follow her journey on Facebook and Instagram. Submit your own story here and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.
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