My word, I've been binging from 7 Up till 42, and this one is easily my favourite of the lot (so far).
Perhaps because there, for the most part, were so many positive changes in so many of our TV friends' lives.
There was even an impeccably done surprise reveal of Bruce's wedding that brought me immense joy. I couldn't help but root and be in awe of how life can make such beautiful turns.
---
TONY seems content and is for the most part considerably successful at life, and yet some of his yearly decisions might start catching up with him.
SUZY already had such a bright transformation at 28 when she met her husband and had children that it's hard to imagine her to have an even warmer smile. And yet, she still seems happy and utterly content at 42.
SYMON has never looked happier or more confident. I couldn't believe how bright and glowing his eyes have become. The man has finally stepped into his own and seems to have a wonderful life partner by his side.
ANDREW continues his calm, wise, logical approach to life. I found him a bit unnoticeable for the first 21 years, but now his life seems more and more like a model version of stable happiness.
JOHN sadly decided to again skip on his educated witty comments.
As soon as NICK fund his way in life, I stopped worrying what would become of him. The most career-focused life story of the bunch, which does bring certain limitations.
Oh BRUCE, yes! The kindest of souls often end up lonely, but I'm betting it was worth the wait for Bruce.
PAUL continues to show aspirations, and yet he really does seem more confident and at ease with each passing episode. I can easily see him become enraged on those rare occasions, but fortunately he co-created a loving home.
LYNN has slowly but surely been "surpassing" her two school friends, Jackie and Sue in almost every aspect. She finally seems completely at peace with herself, even with a physical affliction. And yet, she has been showing her years the most for a while now. The tremendous sadness in her eyes does seem to have gone away ever so slightly.
I'm not worried for SUE. She seems to be managing well with what she's got at her disposal and her positive energy will be carrying her on in life. I interpreted her dependance on parental support as a social commentary of generational differences, particularly the nonsensical increase in workload our parents probably didn't have.
JACKIE was such a bubbly child and yet, this time around the change in her 7 years is perhaps the saddest. Single parent, 3 children with two ex partners, worrying chronic phisical pain. And yet, I found her decision to push her children just a tad bit more than she was utterly promising.
And then there's NEIL. I imagine we were all rooting for him. What a satisfying turn of events! He looked dreadful at 35, and lo and behold, the man hasn't seemed more vital and alive since 7. Welfare or no welfare, whatever he has been up to has been doing woders for him.
---
Because I am a mixture of many of our protagonists, the most rewarding part of these shows for me is the introspection that this sped-up aging can offer. Just as they can change considerably in a span of 7 years, so too can others. Which seems like an odd juxtaposition to the show's famous line "Give me a child until he is 7 and I will give you the man", but there you have it.
An always tasteful vouyeristic glimpse into other people's lives. And the most profoundly beautiful documentary about the human condition I've ever seen.
Perhaps because there, for the most part, were so many positive changes in so many of our TV friends' lives.
There was even an impeccably done surprise reveal of Bruce's wedding that brought me immense joy. I couldn't help but root and be in awe of how life can make such beautiful turns.
---
TONY seems content and is for the most part considerably successful at life, and yet some of his yearly decisions might start catching up with him.
SUZY already had such a bright transformation at 28 when she met her husband and had children that it's hard to imagine her to have an even warmer smile. And yet, she still seems happy and utterly content at 42.
SYMON has never looked happier or more confident. I couldn't believe how bright and glowing his eyes have become. The man has finally stepped into his own and seems to have a wonderful life partner by his side.
ANDREW continues his calm, wise, logical approach to life. I found him a bit unnoticeable for the first 21 years, but now his life seems more and more like a model version of stable happiness.
JOHN sadly decided to again skip on his educated witty comments.
As soon as NICK fund his way in life, I stopped worrying what would become of him. The most career-focused life story of the bunch, which does bring certain limitations.
Oh BRUCE, yes! The kindest of souls often end up lonely, but I'm betting it was worth the wait for Bruce.
PAUL continues to show aspirations, and yet he really does seem more confident and at ease with each passing episode. I can easily see him become enraged on those rare occasions, but fortunately he co-created a loving home.
LYNN has slowly but surely been "surpassing" her two school friends, Jackie and Sue in almost every aspect. She finally seems completely at peace with herself, even with a physical affliction. And yet, she has been showing her years the most for a while now. The tremendous sadness in her eyes does seem to have gone away ever so slightly.
I'm not worried for SUE. She seems to be managing well with what she's got at her disposal and her positive energy will be carrying her on in life. I interpreted her dependance on parental support as a social commentary of generational differences, particularly the nonsensical increase in workload our parents probably didn't have.
JACKIE was such a bubbly child and yet, this time around the change in her 7 years is perhaps the saddest. Single parent, 3 children with two ex partners, worrying chronic phisical pain. And yet, I found her decision to push her children just a tad bit more than she was utterly promising.
And then there's NEIL. I imagine we were all rooting for him. What a satisfying turn of events! He looked dreadful at 35, and lo and behold, the man hasn't seemed more vital and alive since 7. Welfare or no welfare, whatever he has been up to has been doing woders for him.
---
Because I am a mixture of many of our protagonists, the most rewarding part of these shows for me is the introspection that this sped-up aging can offer. Just as they can change considerably in a span of 7 years, so too can others. Which seems like an odd juxtaposition to the show's famous line "Give me a child until he is 7 and I will give you the man", but there you have it.
An always tasteful vouyeristic glimpse into other people's lives. And the most profoundly beautiful documentary about the human condition I've ever seen.