Kathy Steidley

Why is Aaron's story so compelling that it is retold in so many ways: Documentaries, books, series, and media articles? Because we want to change the outcome but we cannot. Set aside the discomfort over the portrayal of his sexuality so you can understand there are significant lessons to learn from his life and, if you rewatch the series, try to imagine one of your family or friends traveling his path. 1) Natural talent does not mean a person is happy or satisfied using it. Football was forced on him as a complete lifestyle and he became a commodity, not a person. 2) People have different ways of coping with the damage caused by abuse in childhood. Violence is empowering when positive coping skills have not been modeled or taught. 3) Chronic marijuana use can replace pain with paranoia and it is an addictive drug for people prone to addiction. It's not been the mellow herb of its original form for decades. 4) Rewarding violent behavior by allowing offenders to bypass consequences reinforces the behavior. 5) Adults have a responsibility to help young people develop their life skills not just use them and let them burn out like a shooting star. 6) Sexuality is a spectrum of variation and can be very confusing and challenging to navigate. How many suicides have ended the emotional suffering of individuals who could not live an authentic life? 7) By raising awareness through storytelling we might help someone who is struggling to accept help. 8) Two people can be siblings with nearly identical childhoods and still develop with completely different personalities. Don't expect them to be the same. 9) Football serves many purposes, but above all, as portrayed in this series, it is a business. Owners need to invest as much in mental wellness as they do in physical development. The writers and actors are trying to share a very uncomfortable and complex story. If you want to learn more, read the book Unnecessary Roughness...by Jose Baez who represented Aaron in his final days. The actors have a tough job, but I think they are demonstrating the emotional content well considering its depth and variety.

This was worth seeing on the large screen to experience Joaquin Phoenix's performance. Having lived through two long-term marriages to partners suffering mental illnesses I could relate to the fleeting moments of optimism being crushed by manipulative lies. I much preferred his communicating the character's feelings through facial expressions rather than narrative. He is a master of subtle expression, body and soul. Gaga was credible and added to the musicality of course. Great soundtrack especially for us children of the 70s. But it was all about Joaquin for me. He is so perfectly imperfect. I am looking forward to watching it again at home. Reality can be so painful sometimes that we're willing to believe the lies and share the fantasy in spite of the insincerity and deviant nature of it just to feel connected and joyful, even if only for a moment. Great job by the hundreds of folks who brought this tragedy to the screen!

Enjoying this series but got hung up on the timing and purpose of the lie to go to Cleveland. I hope they connect that up somehow. Jonathan was already planning something before the fundraiser confrontation. what? A tryst with Elena that went badly? How many other out of town lies were there? Who else did he cheat with? Grace's best friend Sylvia? betrayal abounds in this mystery. I hope this doesn't turn out to be another sad story of a woman defending a guilty man. Week 5 and I'm struggling with continuity issues. Jonathan waves at his son while he's with Elena and the baby then acts all contrite like he didn't know his son saw him. one of these three family members apparently would have been covered in blood. where the heck did they clean up and dump the clothing? people keep asking Jonathan why he ran but he was lying about the Cleveland trip before the fundraiser. To all who are enjoying Donald Southerland I absolutely agree. He's taken us through the whole range of emotions. You rock DS! He's keeping me interested.

it seems to be one of those series where we will watch it all over again to see the clues and answer the questions. The actors are worthy of the watching. it remains to be seen if the story will be. Waiting to tease out what is real and what is imagined. Wondering why he doesn't seem too concerned about his marriage. Wondering how deeply his psyche is damaged and was he already on the cusp of being disturbed before the trauma in his life. Radical career change tells us there is more beneath the surface of this meandering tale. The causeway going under water seems strongly symbolic I'll hang in there but do agree some of the lingering shots are a puzzling use of time. Are we to imagine what he is thinking?