?I think we should start believing in God.?
?No way? You can?t just start believing in God and expect Mom and Dad to come back.?
Taken from Apple TV+?s new series Dear Edward, these sorts of questions are often asked when dealing with trauma. Left in shock after unexpected pain, we are a people who instinctively search for meaning in the midst of chaos.
And chaos is a good way to describe the world of Dear Edward.
Starring Connie Britton and Taylor Schililng, Dear Edward begins with a devastating plane crash that kills all of its passengers but a 12-year-old boy named Edward Adler (Colin O?Brien). Devastated by the loss of their family members, each person affected by the tragedy attempts to make sense of what has happened. Working together, they develop a new community of survivors who must navigate their lives moving forward, trying to make sense of a messy world.
The series is bolstered by some strong performances from its leads, especially Britton and Schilling. Britton has always done a marvelous job of creating empathy for her characters and that trend continues here as she both grapples with grief and uncovers dark secrets about her deceased husband. But Schilling in particular stands out here. As Edward?s aunt, she does a wonderful job as a woman on the edge. Left caring for a 12-year-old that she barely knows, suddenly Lacey is expected to understand how to care for him in the midst of his deepest trauma. Shilling plays her character with frailty but courage, as she fights to protect young Edward from himself. Admittedly, one could argue that the level of trauma that each character experiences is definitely extreme. Though, despite their heightened circumstances, every character feels grounded and real.
With heart filled with sadness, Dear Edward is a piece about life after collective trauma. As each family grieves the loss of their beloved family members, they are left with a gaping hole within their souls. (In fact, the weight of emotion and tension offers distinct similarities to mega-hit This is Us.) Left reaching for reasons for their trauma, they look for all sorts of ways to make sense of what they?ve been through. Is God real? If so, how can this happen? Is this simply another example of chaos in the world? Each of these questions is asked with few answers and characters are left spinning.
?Hold on to me, hold on,? the show?s theme song repeats.
In some ways, a show like this feels incredibly appropriate for this cultural moment. While a plane crash has not been the primary impetus of our sorrow, the stress of the pandemic has taken a toll on us all over the last two years. With its emphasis on suffering ?with?, Edward offers an almost cathartic shedding of emotion. Support groups, family dinners and even group hugs are bathed with tears as everyone ?grieves in their own way?. As the show opens, loss weighs heavily upon these characters and signs of hope are few and far between.
But they still have each other.
And that aspect of ?together? becomes a key theme within Edward. Without giving any spoilers, a local support group seems to play a pivotal role in the salvation of these characters as they attempt to move forward. Even though each of them is grappling with circumstances that differ from one another, their common experience of grief is an opportunity for healing. Therein lies the magic of the series as some of its best moments come in conversations where they share their stories with one another. This provides them hope and, potentially, becomes a model for us to do the same.
No, Dear Edward will not be for everyone. With few moments of levity (thus far), this is a series that is willing to sit in the difficulty of hurt and takes few ?easy? answers. However, that?s also what makes it work. This is a love letter to those who have been experienced trauma and loss and, truthfully, that?s many of us right now.
The first three episodes of Dear Edward are available on Apple TV+ on Friday, February 3rd, 2023 with new episodes streaming weekly afterwards.
