There’s something about investing in a TV show. Caring deeply about the characters and their story lines, and following them for years. There’s a connection you feel to the people you see on screen, similar to movies but to a different extent. Unless it’s a never ending MCU, movie characters last one maybe two movies. Now those characters can and will leave a lasting impact on you. The difference is you don’t often get to know them the way you can on a show that lasts years. There really is something special when tv better shapes your reality, I know it’s helped shape mine.
When Your A Kid
Saturday, the most glorious day for most any kid. No school, no commitments, and plenty of tv reruns. For me, Saturdays were the day I got to enjoy Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers followed by BeetleBorgs. How much cooler could you get then being able to morph into a fighting machine, protect the city from pizza monsters, then chill with your friends at Ernies for a burger and shake? I was and still am a huge fan of Power Rangers, I even have my original Zeo Gold Ranger flip head toy from when I was 7! If you too were someone that loved these kid’s shows then you absolutely know that this kind of tv shapes reality. Change for the better I would say!
Sounds corny as shit, but this was the first time I really saw teamwork and helping those who need it. Of course the uniforms, weapons, and zords were incredible for a 7 year old. I also remember though, enjoying the way they used those powers to help each other and complete strangers. It, along with my parents, helped show me the power of kindness and strength in the will to help those who need it. These types of shows would help form what I looked for in shows as I grew older and help shape the person I became.
When The Reality Expands
As I grew older, my taste in shows would expand but I never lost that want for teamwork, sense of family, and coexistence. I was drawn to shows like Law and Order SVU, in part because I could watch it with dad, but also because it had complex characters dealing with dark situations while still looking out for one another and those who are helpless. I loved getting invested with a “core” group of characters and seeing their relationships with each other and their outside world.
Shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Stargate SG1, and Supernatural had the perfect blend of that “core” family unit while living in a science fiction and fantasy world. The family unit made the show more important to me and made the investment into characters and their storylines so much more worth it. Seeing members either leave or die in these shows hit like a left hook because the family unit felt real. These characters gave me some perspective and insight into what are good qualities in a person too. Picard’s willingness to listen to his crew, Carter and Jackson’s ability to show compassion to an unknown species, and Dean’s brutal loyalty to those he loves stick with me today.
When The Shape Keeps Forming
As I kept expanding my taste I found that this family unit theme was also wildly available in amazing comedies. The Office and Modern Family were my two biggest shows in this genre. (I know, Modern Family having a family feel, how crazy!!). These shows brought everything I loved from SG1 or Trek and served it to me in a hilarious and heartfelt way. Seeing Michael Scott be an absolute fool but a caring fool helped me realize good qualities in a boss. Phil Dunphy, the massive goober he was, helped reinforce that just because you have kids this doesn’t mean you can’t be one sometimes.
All of these shows and plenty more I didn’t name helped shape my me and reinforce some of the things I was taught. TV is another art form and one that I can confidently say has encouraged me, inspired me, and emboldened me to emulate what I saw on screen. I love going back to watch reruns of shows but I am also always hopeful to find new shows too. I wonder what tv shapes your reality?
If you made it this far, I thank you for being here and I wish you the best. All comments are welcome below, enjoy the Haven Geeks!