A Somebody Somewhere Spectacle

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As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed through the labyrinth of television for decades, I must confess that “Somebody Somewhere” has left an indelible mark on my cinematic soul. This is not just another series; it’s a poignant, heartfelt exploration of human resilience and the quiet triumphs of everyday life.

In the concluding moments of “Somebody Somewhere,” there’s no secret messages, dramatic revelations, or decisive resolutions. Instead, the profound transformation lies in the fact that Sam is now content, or at least more so than she has ever been. Played by series creator and writer Bridget Everett, Sam works at a bar, not her ideal job but sufficient for the moment. She’s also volunteering at an animal shelter, dreaming of adopting a dog someday. A potential romantic relationship is on the horizon with Iceland, the man renting her family farm. The series ends with a subtle embrace between them. Sam’s friends and sister are present, gathering at the bar on a Sunday afternoon to spend time with her. It’s not that they all came; it’s that she invited them, which in itself is a source of joy. The final scene features Sam singing “The Climb,” a song emphasizing the importance of enjoying the journey rather than focusing on the destination.

This television episode primarily features one-on-one dialogues, with very little action taking place. Despite this, “Somebody Somewhere” stands out as an exceptional series this year, even among the great TV shows of our time. It deliberately breaks many conventional TV rules. In today’s television landscape, shows are expected to prove their worth through grandeur – star power, intellectual property, budget, acclaimed showrunners, interconnected universes, high stakes. “Somebody Somewhere,” however, is small in scale: a beautifully crafted, introspective, and intimate story about a woman grappling with ordinary struggles, her main adversary being her profound sorrow and feeling of displacement.

In essence, the series “Somebody Somewhere” seems to follow a familiar narrative of a fish-out-of-water story, where the protagonist, Sam, struggles to find her place in a new environment. Initially stuck in her hometown after the death of her sister she cared for, Sam’s life takes a turn as she encounters new friends Joel and Fred, who introduce her to a community of queer performers. This group helps Sam rediscover her singing talent. As the series progresses, Sam also mends relationships with her sister Tricia, despite their family complications, and adapts to new routines that bring structure to her life.

While conventional summaries might not fully capture the extraordinary charm of Bridget Everett, it’s evident that she brings something unique to the screen. Unlike typical Hollywood stars, her presence is a breath of fresh air. In her role as Sam, Everett doesn’t rely on flashy performances or grand displays; instead, she exhibits a profound clarity that showcases her deep-seated sadness and loneliness. Her emotions, often difficult to express on screen, are powerfully conveyed.

In the third season, changes for the character Sam have been relatively minor compared to shows like “Reservation Dogs”, which evoked powerful emotional responses from intimate moments. Unlike these characters who have deep-rooted communal ties, Sam’s life experiences haven’t allowed her sister’s death to significantly impact the storyline beyond personal levels. Frequently, Sam struggles to let go of her emotions, torn between supporting her sister’s career and family, and expressing her love for Joel without disrupting his relationship with Brad. Despite her deep affection for Joel, she learns to keep her dependence on him in check. Singing, the one thing that once brought her comfort and made her feel at ease, now seems impossible for Sam due to a lack of safe spaces where she can be openly and unapologetically expressive. The show “Somebody Somewhere” often feels subdued because Sam has limited environments where she can let loose without fear or reservation.

If “Somebody Somewhere” were a television series portraying a character feeling like a fish out of water, the program would have been easier to watch due to its familiarity compared to Sam moving to a new town. The complexity of awkwardness and sorrow is more profound because it depicts an internal disorientation mirrored in external circumstances, something we can relate to given our understanding of the struggle with difference and displacement. However, “Sam” is already at home, yet she still feels out of sync. This situation is more challenging to accept: the show presents a fish that resides in its familiar pond but still doesn’t feel at ease.

The series finale is exceptionally uplifting even though the conclusion appears to be low-key, as it represents the culmination of Sam’s struggles to suppress her emotions and fit in. In the final episode, Sam, who has been holding back for so long, lets loose and performs “The Climb” before her friends, a moment that is both revealing and the center of attention – a rare occurrence throughout the series. _Somebody Somewhere_ wraps up by accepting that life will always be challenging, and this place may never feel completely like home, but Sam can find joy and persevere here, which is more than enough.

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2024-12-09 22:54