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Somebody Somewhere: A Primer
Summary: Set in rural Manhattan, Kansas, the series follows Sam as she grapples with a midlife crisis after the death of her sister.
Status: Two seasons with seven 30-minute episodes each. Renewed for a third season.
Characters:
Sam: A woman in her 40s, rediscovering her passion for singing.
Joel, Sam's co-worker: Was with her in high school choir and invites Sam to "choir practice".
Tricia, Sam's sister: Runs a home decor shop called "Tender Moments".
Mary Jo and Ed, Sam's parents: Mary Jo struggles with alcoholism. Ed is an aging farmer.
Fred: A soil scientist and a master of ceremonies at "choir practice".
Sounds interesting, so far? Maybe take a look at the S1 trailer!
Sounds interesting, so far? Maybe take a look at the S1 trailer!
What makes this show special?
- The heart. As Jezebel puts it: "
Imbued as it is with gravitas and humor, introspection and self-effacement, the camp and the mundane, the show lands “somewhere” (pun intended?) between drama and comedy." (The article is a great read, though I should mention that its focus lies on the show's transmasculine representation.)
- The music. Bridget Everett (Sam) has an amazing voice. Whenever Sam sings, it is an episode highlight. Don't get me wrong: Not all the songs are deeply emotional, introspective, and thoughtful. They also can be silly and downright explicit. Still, all the song choices tell the audience little bits about Sam, the person she used to be in the past, who she currently is, and who she's growing into.
- The queer rep. Sam, our protagonist, is straight. However, there are several queer characters in the series. Joel, for example, has a boyfriend, and Fred is openly trans. Their queerness matters but it is never portrayed in a dramatic or flashy way. It's just a part of their normal, middle-aged lives, here in rural Kansas.
If you're curious, here is a clip from the very first episode (spoilers for Sam's first round of "choir practice").
This show might be for you if you like...
...a late-in-life coming-of-age story. Whoever you are, wherever you are in your life, it can fell so satisfying to be reminded that it's never too late to discover and *become* exactly who you want to be and to carve out your own space among like-minded people who respect, love, and understand you.
...to see the joy of community, may it be in friendship or family. The show also deals with the grief, vulnerability, and tenderness that can come with such connections. The moments that can be difficult to bear alone and the moments that are so rewarding when shared.
...a chosen family of oddballs. The Sam/Joel friendship is an absolute delight to watch. Their banter feels so real and organic which also extends to the friend group scenes.
...a nuanced portrayal of depression and grief. Sam is growing as a person but that doesn't mean that she's able to overcome all her struggles by the end of the season. That said, while I personally connected with it, maybe you won't, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
! Sidenote: If you generally dislike bawdy jokes, this show's comedy is probably not for you. While it isn't everything that the show is or wants to be, it's still a big part of how the characters communicate and connect with each other. !
Where to find it:
- On HBO, presumably, for everybody who's got the service available to them (not me!).
- On HBO, presumably, for everybody who's got the service available to them (not me!).
- In Germany, both seasons are currently streaming on WOW TV.
Additional Links:
Somebody Somewhere HBO website (includes BTS videos)
This entry was previously linking to my own journal due to formatting issues.
This entry was previously linking to my own journal due to formatting issues.