Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
I was actually really excited about this series, BUT I had no idea it was going to be a miniseries that was so short!
Talk about feelings hurt, LOL. It’s THAT good!
I didn’t watch it from the day it aired, because honestly I wanted the first season to finish so I could binge it all at once. I got to the point where I just couldn’t wait anymore, so I turned it on… hooked from the beginning. Little did I know that I started watching the week before the last episode aired, so I think I can say i successfully accomplished that mission accidentally, LOL.
If you haven’t seen the miniseries and don’t want spoilers, this is your warning!
When I first saw the trailer for this series I was intrigued and knew I wanted to watch it. Between Kerry Washington (Mia Warren) and Reese Witherspoon (Elena Richardson) playing opposing roles and the intriguing fascination of somebody being a fire starter I was hooked!
I can definitely say that both women bring an authentic feel to their respective roles and deliver on astounding levels. I IMMEDIATELY did not like Elena Richardson’s racist behind, LOL, crazy because I love Reese Witherspoon as an actress. Somebody actually mentioned it had a bit of a Legally Blonde feel to it and I completely agree!
This miniseries addresses so many different topics, including racism, sexuality, sexism, bad parenting vs good parenting, and they’re all centered in discrimination and judgment. I can say I appreciate the layout of the story and it honestly makes me want to order the book to read it.
Moral of the story here, discrimination and toxic mindsets really are nurtured into the youth and that’s how these things continue on through generations. That goes for all sides of all playing fields. I disliked Mia Warren the same way I disliked Elena, but I could honestly tolerate Mia more because she’s relatable. Both of these women, however, made horrible mothering decisions. Maybe I say this because I don’t have children, but before anything else outside of your home your children should be put first. There were too many external factors playing into building the foundation for how they expressed they loved their kids.
The obsession Elena had with Mia from the beginning after reporting her as a homeless person sleeping in her car was a perfect representation of the white women obsessed with “fixing” things they think are broken but have nothing to do with them.
Lexie Richardson plagiarizing her essay to get into Yale based on Pearl’s actual life struggles of discrimination, getting pregnant but so ashamed she puts Pearl’s name on her abortion paperwork, and the fact that she was dating a DARK black boy with a box cut… she was the poster child for white people that refuse to just let black’s be great, smh.
But even more frustrating the obsessions Pearl had with being in the Richardson’s home (in spite of all of that craziness), and with Izzy being under Mia was just strange… but I get it, they both found something they always wanted from their protector in somebody that barely knew them but accepted them for who they were, or so it seemed. Elena was really just a devious, unhappy woman trying to project herself on a poor black girl as a savior when she didn’t need to be saved.
Who was my favorite character in this show? Baby May Ling! She was the only one that wasn’t messy and was truly just trying to live her life and catch some z’s with her stuffed animals, LOL.
Everybody had their “thing” that resulted in the downward spiral of their character, mainly based in the root of the secrets they held and tried to protect from everyone around them. That portion of it actually reminded of “The Stranger” a series on Netflix that has the first season ready to watch right now; go check it out! But, the underlying of moral of living your truth was a big key lesson for everyone within Shaker Heights to learn.
I can definitely say I’m thankful for the real world representation and how well written the series was. I would definitely suggest the watch and encourage the discussions that can arise from the series itself. This can serve as good content for talking about self identity and acceptance with your children, great encouragement on not letting the obstacles of life stop you from achieving your goals, and what actual human decency looks like. Plus it serves as some real entertainment and may even convince you to do a little reading if you’re like me and decide to order the book afterwards.
Be D.O.P.E and let me know what you think once you’ve seen it.
Series Release: March 18, 2020 (Series End: April 22, 2020)
Where I watched: Hulu