Totally agree with your assessment of Forever. I’m only 3 episodes in watching it with my 18-year-old & I so appreciate the authentic storytelling & three dimensional characters. And I didn’t realize that I had been bracing myself for something traumatic to happen each episode until I read your piece. It’s lovely not to have to go on THAT painful type of an emotional trip, and enjoy a lovely & realistic story of a Black family navigating real life that is not centered on trauma. My fave character is the young male protagonist. We need to see more thoughtful Black males like him portrayed in media.
I watch all kinds of movies/series... and was surprised at how this one stuck in my brain for a few days afterwards. I have my must follow faves for sure.
But now that you mention it, it was freshing to see that Justin was not pulled over by the cops (we were all holding our breath on that one) -- and that he was able to find his path without self-destruction.
Parental expectations can be a plus and a minus at the same time. But it was good to see that Justin's mother made sure he locked in the educational fundamentals which later.-- gave him room to just be a young man fresh out of school and explore his options.
I loved, the way Justin's dad balanced the energy between him and his mom.
I hope the series can keep it's vibe and maintain eyeballs. I'd like to see how far the story can go and still make sense. -- Oh, and I'm hoping to be able to form a solid opinion about Keshia, too.
YES! I love your analysis here--touches on so many vital points. The parenting alone in this series was so well done and reminds us how ridiculously rare it is in the entertainment we're fed. I totally fell in love with Justin's whole family! I know Keisha gets on your nerves--I've seen a lot of people say that--to me that's SO much part of being a teen and in love, managing heartache and betrayal from the ex and young hormones along with everything else. Reminds us that few of us are handed blueprints on handling matters of the heart, especially at that stage of life. I agree with you about hoping the series maintains its quality and popularity. Mara has a solid track record, so I'm pretty confident that she'll deliver. XO
Thanks so much, Tara! We all need and richly deserve this kind of great content--and I love how Mara inspires us to bring that into our own writing as well! XO
This was a great assessment of the show. I loved it too. I loved the way Mara weaved the storyline. The cast she chose and yes, how she did not lean into any triggering trauma. It was refreshing watching this series. I read Judy growing up and loved this black adaptation immensely.
Thank you Badiana! Mara has given us such a great gift--not only as consumers who are not just entertained but uplifted, fed, and healed by this lovely story, but as storytellers ourselves as she reminds us of our power and responsibility to craft stories that do the same. AND in a world that consistently works to dispute the beauty of our humanity, our truths, and our LOVE, she encourages us to bring the visions in our hearts and soul to life. Ase!
Totally agree with your assessment of Forever. I’m only 3 episodes in watching it with my 18-year-old & I so appreciate the authentic storytelling & three dimensional characters. And I didn’t realize that I had been bracing myself for something traumatic to happen each episode until I read your piece. It’s lovely not to have to go on THAT painful type of an emotional trip, and enjoy a lovely & realistic story of a Black family navigating real life that is not centered on trauma. My fave character is the young male protagonist. We need to see more thoughtful Black males like him portrayed in media.
Yes, thanks Sis! Cheers to Mara for reminding us of the quality we need and deserve! XO
I watch all kinds of movies/series... and was surprised at how this one stuck in my brain for a few days afterwards. I have my must follow faves for sure.
But now that you mention it, it was freshing to see that Justin was not pulled over by the cops (we were all holding our breath on that one) -- and that he was able to find his path without self-destruction.
Parental expectations can be a plus and a minus at the same time. But it was good to see that Justin's mother made sure he locked in the educational fundamentals which later.-- gave him room to just be a young man fresh out of school and explore his options.
I loved, the way Justin's dad balanced the energy between him and his mom.
I hope the series can keep it's vibe and maintain eyeballs. I'd like to see how far the story can go and still make sense. -- Oh, and I'm hoping to be able to form a solid opinion about Keshia, too.
YES! I love your analysis here--touches on so many vital points. The parenting alone in this series was so well done and reminds us how ridiculously rare it is in the entertainment we're fed. I totally fell in love with Justin's whole family! I know Keisha gets on your nerves--I've seen a lot of people say that--to me that's SO much part of being a teen and in love, managing heartache and betrayal from the ex and young hormones along with everything else. Reminds us that few of us are handed blueprints on handling matters of the heart, especially at that stage of life. I agree with you about hoping the series maintains its quality and popularity. Mara has a solid track record, so I'm pretty confident that she'll deliver. XO
Loved this series and can’t wait to see the next chapter.
Incredible assessment!
Thanks so much, Tara! We all need and richly deserve this kind of great content--and I love how Mara inspires us to bring that into our own writing as well! XO
This was a great assessment of the show. I loved it too. I loved the way Mara weaved the storyline. The cast she chose and yes, how she did not lean into any triggering trauma. It was refreshing watching this series. I read Judy growing up and loved this black adaptation immensely.
Great piece Taressa.
Thank you Badiana! Mara has given us such a great gift--not only as consumers who are not just entertained but uplifted, fed, and healed by this lovely story, but as storytellers ourselves as she reminds us of our power and responsibility to craft stories that do the same. AND in a world that consistently works to dispute the beauty of our humanity, our truths, and our LOVE, she encourages us to bring the visions in our hearts and soul to life. Ase!
Beautifully put