Adam Oldham

::sigh:: I left the theatre after The Last Jedi feeling confused and interested in what would happen next, but in comparison to Episode VIII, The Rise of Skywalker felt very “safe.” There were moments, don’t get me wrong, that made this movie pretty cool, but there were no moments that felt especially powerful or deep. Yes, it answers questions and wraps up story arcs, but mostly linked to The Force Awakens. I know there were different directors for The Last Jedi and the other films, but it’s like JJ Abrams jumped over The Last Jedi entirely. You noticed I referenced The Last Jedi a lot. That’s because it’s the film that got people talking. The Rise of Skywalker, to me, isn’t really that memorable. I hate saying that, and I am sure that in time I will accept it and be ok with the movie, but it just felt underwhelming to me.

This show has really been a mixed back for me. There have been moments and story arcs that are very relatable to new parents and to the struggle of the work-life harmony/balance. The cynicism and pessimistic perspective of raising infants and toddlers is pushed to such an extreme that it really did open my perspective to some of my own frustrations and struggles that I normally keep to myself, mainly out of civility and what I consider a healthy perspective on parenting. Toddler/circle time is one of the funniest parts of this show - it’s the stuff I related to most, listening to the moms talk about the parts of parenting that aren’t glamorous - and I love the contrast of the “What you’re supposed to say” mom with the cast of main characters. I’d never experienced a story from the perspective of a couple deciding on and then celebrating the decision to have an abortion - it broadened my perspective, but be aware that it may be uncomfortable to witness, especially if you’re very pro-life or even ambivalent about the idea of abortion. It will definitely make you think - as in it will force you to consider things that are uncomfortable, even if you don’t want to think about those things, which was something I suppose I appreciate about the show. Beyond the general vulgarity and seriously pessimistic view of children the show uses as rhetorical tools for humor and relatability, I have two main issues with the show. The first is the character Frankie and her story. The challenges of mental health issues and postpartum depression were relevant in season one, but she flew off into a strange hyper-sexualized, completely unrealistic, and nonsensical rabbit hole in season two. It didn’t add to the show and it was distracting to me. The second issue is just how miserable and cynical every character is in relation to their children and their responsibility as parents. It’s relatable in moments, but the continued negativity and passive/annoyed perspective toward children overextends itself to the point that it drags the humor and character arcs down. I know that’s the trope the show plays on, that kids interrupt/burden the lives of these “Sex in the City” esk career-focused women, but it really does take away from the main characters’ humanity. It’s hard for me to believe that anyone feels like this so often - there are very few moments where children (having them, their existence at all) are cast in a positive light. Unrelated to this, there’s a B-list Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer from Parks and Rec character AND a B-list Amy Poehler character and they have some of the funnier moments of the show.