Thanks, Barbara! I know what you mean re: art about friendship. It's fascinating what a small role it plays in literature compared to the huge role it plays in our lives. Thanks for voting on the haiku ...
Oh Grant, this was beautiful. Thank you. I, too, love Somebody Somewhere and watching it nourishes my creative spark. I went to school in Kansas (Salina) and my WIP is set in Kansas. Kansas is not just a place, it's a state of being, of loving and giving, all of which you capture so completely.
Thanks so much, Mary! That's so great you're writing about Kansas. Some of my favorite stories take place in Iowa. I've now lived outside of Iowa much longer than I lived there, oddly enough, but my thoughts are so often there. I have a friend from Salina, if my memory is right. I think her father owned the bank there.
My first morning since moving to a small town in Oregon, I sipped a latte, gazed out my window to Barnes Butte ( a behemoth butte named after my great great grandfather) and read this stunningly beautiful piece, Grant. While reading your work, I felt as though I had come home in so many ways: To the land of my ancestors; to the caldera of creativity; to the wonder of love, and to why, dammit, we are here. Your writing has a way, like a touchstone, of reaching into one’s soul. Grateful I am.
Thanks so much, Ginevra! Wow, your kind words mean so much to me, so thanks for taking the time to write. Also ... congrats on moving to Oregon! I hope you have many a latte while gazing a Barnes Butte. The haiku vote is a close one ...
I love this show. You captured all my feelings about it. I too moved back to my hometown in the midst of a divorce. I was rescued by it, my family, and new friends I made there. Middle of the country towns are not stereotypes; they are home. Thank you.
I love this show so much! Thanks for putting into words what’s so special about it, especially the Ted Lasso comparison. Loved that show too but I see myself in Somebody, Somewhere. I love how much affection the show has both for its characters and its location. Who knew Kansas is so beautiful?! Oh and I like the first haiku. The simplicity of it just feels better to me.
I agree: I can see myself so much more in Somebody, Somewhere. And ... so many of the places in "flyover country" are beautiful, I think, if given a chance.
I loved this show. It was one of the shows my daughter Annie and I watched together and when the 3rd season became available after she died, I wasn't sure I could continue watching without her. But Sam is so open in her own grief, I started watching and ended up finishing the season, happy to be in the company of Sam and Joel and Trish and Brad. It was--comforting.
That's quite a story, Cindy. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. I'm so glad you watched the series to the end, though, because it is so fundamentally comforting, so full of life and connection, and what better way to feel when grieving. I often need reminders of that good side of life. I hope you're doing all right.
This show made me cry (sad and happy) tears more than I care to admit. You so wonderfully articulate why we might cry at such a wonderful art in this essay -- un-begrudging and arms-open friendship, explorations of why we create, and for the midwesterners (like me, you) a little love for where we come from. Thanks for writing this!
Thanks for your very thoughtful take on this great show...I'm in the middle of the third season and will be sorry to see it end. I agree -- the Sam and Joel friendship is the beautiful, beating heart of the whole thing...and one that I could relate to so well, in addition to the experience of growing up in (and living in) a small town which is also captured so vividly. So layered, nuanced, and most of all honest -- much more so than other perhaps overrated shows which get a lot more attention in terms of awards and such. When I'm finished I have a feeling I'll go back and watch the whole thing all over again.
This gives me hope that people care about the emotions of others—it’s the emotions of characters that make a story feel alive, it’s where we live each day, it’s in how we react to others and with others. Emotions are as important, if not more important, than plot—my opinion 😊.
Thanks, Catharina. I agree. I always say that an author's vulnerability on the page is the most important thing in a story, and, as "Somebody Somewhere" shows, you can just go with the emotions of a scene and that's drama enough, so you don't need to focus on plot.
Oh, Deesha, I'm touched. Let me know what you think of the show. It's one of those I'm going to carry with me forever. If you like the show, I recommend the interview with Jeff Hiller on the Death, Sex, and Money podcast. He's a treasure.
Thanks so much, Anna! And ... I caught your interview with Jeff Hiller and loved it! He's my new hero, role model, everything, and ... he was so purely Jeff Hiller on your show, so thanks for the interview.
I haven't watched this, but will. There are so few good books and memories about friendship.
As for the haikus, I vote for this one:
All my father didn’t say—
I now make hymns
Thanks, Barbara! I know what you mean re: art about friendship. It's fascinating what a small role it plays in literature compared to the huge role it plays in our lives. Thanks for voting on the haiku ...
Oh Grant, this was beautiful. Thank you. I, too, love Somebody Somewhere and watching it nourishes my creative spark. I went to school in Kansas (Salina) and my WIP is set in Kansas. Kansas is not just a place, it's a state of being, of loving and giving, all of which you capture so completely.
Thanks so much, Mary! That's so great you're writing about Kansas. Some of my favorite stories take place in Iowa. I've now lived outside of Iowa much longer than I lived there, oddly enough, but my thoughts are so often there. I have a friend from Salina, if my memory is right. I think her father owned the bank there.
My first morning since moving to a small town in Oregon, I sipped a latte, gazed out my window to Barnes Butte ( a behemoth butte named after my great great grandfather) and read this stunningly beautiful piece, Grant. While reading your work, I felt as though I had come home in so many ways: To the land of my ancestors; to the caldera of creativity; to the wonder of love, and to why, dammit, we are here. Your writing has a way, like a touchstone, of reaching into one’s soul. Grateful I am.
I love the third Haiku.
Thanks so much, Ginevra! Wow, your kind words mean so much to me, so thanks for taking the time to write. Also ... congrats on moving to Oregon! I hope you have many a latte while gazing a Barnes Butte. The haiku vote is a close one ...
I love this show. You captured all my feelings about it. I too moved back to my hometown in the midst of a divorce. I was rescued by it, my family, and new friends I made there. Middle of the country towns are not stereotypes; they are home. Thank you.
Thanks, Christie! That's amazing that you have a similar story. What a great way to be rescued.
Beautiful writing. My wife and I loved this show so much. We were so sad that it ended. Really wish there were more shows for adults like this one.
I feel like we should start a letter writing campaign to bring it back. So many people are passionate about the show.
Im in!
I just finished this last night, Miley Cyrus echoing in my head today. I cannot share this show enough & agree that it tops Ted Lasso. 🩵
I love this show so much! Thanks for putting into words what’s so special about it, especially the Ted Lasso comparison. Loved that show too but I see myself in Somebody, Somewhere. I love how much affection the show has both for its characters and its location. Who knew Kansas is so beautiful?! Oh and I like the first haiku. The simplicity of it just feels better to me.
I agree: I can see myself so much more in Somebody, Somewhere. And ... so many of the places in "flyover country" are beautiful, I think, if given a chance.
I loved this show. It was one of the shows my daughter Annie and I watched together and when the 3rd season became available after she died, I wasn't sure I could continue watching without her. But Sam is so open in her own grief, I started watching and ended up finishing the season, happy to be in the company of Sam and Joel and Trish and Brad. It was--comforting.
That's quite a story, Cindy. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. I'm so glad you watched the series to the end, though, because it is so fundamentally comforting, so full of life and connection, and what better way to feel when grieving. I often need reminders of that good side of life. I hope you're doing all right.
I'm...okay. Thanks for asking. ♥
This show made me cry (sad and happy) tears more than I care to admit. You so wonderfully articulate why we might cry at such a wonderful art in this essay -- un-begrudging and arms-open friendship, explorations of why we create, and for the midwesterners (like me, you) a little love for where we come from. Thanks for writing this!
Thanks for your kind words, Jacqueline!
Thanks for your very thoughtful take on this great show...I'm in the middle of the third season and will be sorry to see it end. I agree -- the Sam and Joel friendship is the beautiful, beating heart of the whole thing...and one that I could relate to so well, in addition to the experience of growing up in (and living in) a small town which is also captured so vividly. So layered, nuanced, and most of all honest -- much more so than other perhaps overrated shows which get a lot more attention in terms of awards and such. When I'm finished I have a feeling I'll go back and watch the whole thing all over again.
I think you captured a crucial trait: "... and most of all honest." I think the honesty of the show is a dramatic force unto itself.
I loved the show. The season 3 line - “I think you’re my person” - that Joel says to Sam … just perfect.
When I watch this show I smile and ache at the same time. What brilliance! So glad to read something putting it all into the love I feel too.
This gives me hope that people care about the emotions of others—it’s the emotions of characters that make a story feel alive, it’s where we live each day, it’s in how we react to others and with others. Emotions are as important, if not more important, than plot—my opinion 😊.
Thanks, Catharina. I agree. I always say that an author's vulnerability on the page is the most important thing in a story, and, as "Somebody Somewhere" shows, you can just go with the emotions of a scene and that's drama enough, so you don't need to focus on plot.
Just discovered this show last week, so I didn't read your entire post for fear of spoilers. But I'm saving it to savor later. Thank you!
Oh, Deesha, I'm touched. Let me know what you think of the show. It's one of those I'm going to carry with me forever. If you like the show, I recommend the interview with Jeff Hiller on the Death, Sex, and Money podcast. He's a treasure.
Oooooh! Thank you for that rec!
I agree wholeheartedly! And if you missed it, here is my interview with Jeff Hiller on Death, Sex & Money that brougth so much LIGHT AND JOY! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/death-sex-money/id870688022?i=1000678973362
Thanks so much, Anna! And ... I caught your interview with Jeff Hiller and loved it! He's my new hero, role model, everything, and ... he was so purely Jeff Hiller on your show, so thanks for the interview.
Just started this last night! Thanks, Grant!