For those complaining about the lack of diversity in television, HBO has the solution. On Sunday, Feb. 11, at 9 p.m., HBO aired their new show “Here and Now”; it follows a multicultural family as they experience life.
The show begins with a bunch of random images and clips; they are things that don’t make sense put together as they are. Then, Ramon (Daniel Zovatto) wakes up, and viewers learn the images were but a dream. It was a very weird dream, but through it, the audience learns a clue as to what is to come into his future.
Viewers travel with him to a coffee shop where they meet the love interest Henry (Andy Bean). This same coffee shop is where Ramon’s gaze is drawn to the clock on the wall as it reads 11:11. To him, it seems like an odd coincidence, but as he continues his day, he sees 11:11 again and again and seems to be another clue as to what is wrong.
Ramon isn’t the only main character of the show, however. The story quickly moves from each of his family members as viewers get introduced to this odd-looking family. The audience gets introduced to his adopted mother Audrey (Holly Hunter) and Audrey’s only biological child Kristen (Sosie Bacon); they are shopping for party decorations for the father. The father Greg (Tim Robbins) is a philosophy teacher and turning 60 years old, much to his disappointment. Ramon was adopted from Columbia.
Viewers also meet Ramon and Kristen’s other adopted siblings. Duc (Raymond Lee) is a psychologist; the eldest of the siblings, he was adopted from Vietnam. Ashley (Jerrika Hinton) is a fashion expert and was adopted from Somalia. Viewers also get to meet Ashley’s husband Malcom (Joe Williamson) and their cute little daughter Hailey (Avynn Crowder Jones).
All the characters gather at their parent’s house where viewers learn Kristen only wants to grow up and be seen as more than the 17-year-old white chick of the family. Duc just wants his father’s attention. Ashley wants a little freedom from her responsibilities as a mother and wife. Moreover, Ramon is going a bit mad over another appearance of 11:11 floating in the fire of candles. Their father is majorly depressed, and mom just wants to keep control of what little she still has control of in her life.
What makes this show interesting is how relevant it is today. This family is breaking stereotypes as each adopted child is not only from different countries but different continents: South America, Africa, and Asia. They all get along for coming from different backgrounds, and they even joke about it. These characters are also super relatable with all their quirks and attitudes toward life. With so many characters there’s a great chance of developing that beautiful connection between character and viewer when the viewer roots the character on and only wishes the best for them.
The show doesn’t seem to shy from controversial topics either. American audiences get to see different representations of sexual orientations. Ramon and his love interest Henry are out of the closet gays. Though they aren’t in the first episode, viewers also get to meet genderfluid Navid (Marwan Salama).
Viewers get to see many different versions of mental illnesses and thought processes, as well. From Ramon’s illusions to Greg’s depression and Audrey’s obsessive yet caring nature, there is something with which anyone can connect.
One of the few things that makes this show just a little difficult to follow is how fast viewers meet new characters and how often the settings and arcs change. With so many characters, many different stories get told, so it can be a challenge to keep track of all the characters and what they’re intending.
Especially near the end, when viewers meet Ramon’s new psychologist (Peter MacDissi), viewers learn that there is some connection between the therapist and his patient and that the doctor’s family could play a key part in figuring out Ramon’s hallucinations and dreams.
“Here and Now” is rated M for Mature audiences and the first episode does take advantage of the rating. There is sexuality, drug and alcohol use, and sensitive topics such as adultery, mental illness, and sexuality broached. However, for those who are looking for a contemporary mess of a new show, “Here and Now” seems to be worth a follow as the 10-episode season unfolds over the upcoming weeks.
