Parenthood
Season 4, Episode 6 – “I’ll Be Right Here” [Original air date: Oct. 23, 2012]
Part II
I
am ‘live’-blogging while watching this episode for the first time. Here is post
two of four:
Max Braverman’s view on Asperger’s: “Some people say that having Asperger’s can
be a bad thing, but I’m glad I have it, because I think it’s my greatest
strength.” Max’s student council presidency speech was truly inspiring, showing
charisma, courage, and family love. Whether Max knew it or not, it was in this moment
where Haddie felt that she was fulfilling her older sibling duty, knowing she
was where she belonged and that she had a purpose, at least for a short while.
Finding purpose in life can be one of the most difficult things to do (The
writers of the musical Avenue Q made it a main theme of their show, and even
titled one of the show’s musical numbers “Purpose.”). It was during Max’s speech
where viewers were able to get inside Max’s head for a brief minute and really
get a taste of what it is like to be living with Asperger’s Syndrome. Though
this show is scripted, an actor shows great skill when he is able to not just
recite the memorized words and fulfill his job of being an actor playing a
character, but rather becoming that character and taking on the difficult task
of being a truth-teller. As Max told us, those with Asperger’s have a difficult
time saying hello and looking people in the eye, but they are smart, have great
memories, and always keep their promises. Max’s presidential race was rooted in
the concept of bringing back the vending machines to Cedar Knoll Middle School,
not unlike the way William Henry Harrison’s (hero at the Battle of Tippecanoe) and
John Tyler’s political platform in the 1840 United States Presidential Election:
“Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” Yet with Max, we learned all about tenacity and the
positive aspects which come with it.

Welcome to "Post Parenthood Ponders!" This spring I’m taking a Television & New Media course as a Public Communications M.A. student in Fordham University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. This class inspired me to start blogging (pondering) about various topics discussed in NBC’s Parenthood. While we wait for the premier of season five, I’ll be re-watching season four & analyzing some of what takes place in the show. Feel free to join in the conversation… ponder away!
Monday, February 25, 2013
I’ll Be Right Here - part II
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment