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The Further Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1978)
Winter version of the original
They're supposed to be more used to living there. But it's winter which brings its own dangers. The mother gets deathly ill, the kids have to deal with dangerous situations without their parents' help, this time the big bad animals is a pack of wolves, and again, the poor dog keeps having to save them. Don't get me wrong, I adore the dog, but my gosh the dog should catch a break! He's in constant alert and anxious state, and endangering himself for their sake when he's kinda less equipped in that setting than a wolf for instance. The dog should get to be a dog, swim in the river, chase some rabbits, play in the snow... Not have it all end up in the dog protecting the family fighting predators.
The Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1975)
Too many problems
I can appreciate the family wanting to get away from city life but geez lol. They still bring their urban life and modern conveniences to the wilderness and use their rifles a lot, not to mention all the times they are endangered and attacked by wild animals, so does it really count, was it really worth it?
Personally I would say no. The hassles of city traffic are a lot less dangerous than mountain lions and bears. And how is it that this sweet lab retriever who was very domesticated before their move, ends up surviving constantly after fighting these wild animal predators? Just doesn't seem very realistic.
And they chose to move here. They were not stranded or forced to be here. They invaded the animals' territory and then shoot and or eat them for doing what wild animals do! How is that right or fair? Plus all the feeding and domesticating the more friendly animals and all the reasons that's wrong and only going to make them unable to protect themselves.
I think if they were going to do this, it should have been done more properly. Without their city conveniences, when the kids are older and can also protect themselves, not killing the wild animals for simply existing and attacking humans when it's the humans who invaded their territory. Hey if they didn't want to be killed by wild animals, then simple solution: they shouldn't have moved there. And when they didn't have a domesticated dog who has a constant urge to protect the family and endangers himself when he shouldn't have had to.
And where does all their city domestic trash go?
The Wave (1981)
Scary but very real
It's 2019, and sad to say, there are still Nazi's nowadays. So this special's concept isn't far fetched at all like it should be. Personally, I don't think I would have been so easily sucked into it. I think I would have been that one girl who realized it was bad and wrong. But 2019's society as a whole has become about following trends, social media, and being a sheep so I can see Nazi Germany happening again in full force now, and that's scary. This special really needs to be shown to students nowadays.
CBS Schoolbreak Special: The War Between the Classes (1985)
Scary lesson
Overall this was great and also makes you think. I related the most to Amy because I'm Asian too. I grew up in the 80s and early 90s. I got all the jeers, jokes, taunts, teasing, songs, etc about being Asian from classmates and even friends. It was seen as not a big deal by them and even me. I didn't realize the racism and hate behind it until I was a teen/adult. I felt the same way as Amy, wished I was white a few times. My schools never did this sort of lesson and it's clear why, this kind of lesson can easily and instantly incite hate, violence, and worse that people may not even realize is in them. It was interesting how the students reacted but I felt a lot of nervousness for the upcoming minutes that it could quickly get a lot worse. A few racial slurs are said too so fair warning.
Lifestories: Families in Crisis: No Visible Bruises: The Katie Koestner Story (1993)
It's still happening
I'm very glad Katie shared her story. And this was a great special, very needed in our society back then and even now. It's 2019 for me, society currently is in the era of #MeToo, #TimesUp, etc which are movements against sexual harassment, assault, misconduct, rape, and more. Many high profile figures in entertainment, sports, politics, and more have been outted for their past crimes including Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein. But what's sad is date rape and all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse are STILL happening. In fact, just the other day I had to say that no matter the circumstances (drunk, asleep, drugged, wearing revealing clothing, whatever), NO ONE deserves to be raped (or violated). I shouldn't have to explain that! And I'm so tired of males believing they're entitled to violate a female for the hell of it. Look, if the other person is not actively and happily participating in the sexual activity, then it is forced / coerced / NOT consensual / RAPE.
ABC Afterschool Specials: Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984)
This was too real
River Phoenix did a perfect job at this role. I don't have dyslexia to this degree, but I have learning issues with comprehension, testing, math, etc. Anyway, I related most to this special because no one noticed or helped me with my learning issues either. In fact, I completely slipped through the cracks all the way through college. To this day, I still don't know what my exact learning issues are. I failed tests but got A's on papers, I cheated on tests to pass, or I just plain got D's and F's in classes and courses where I couldn't fake it. So teachers and professors all assumed I just didn't study or try. I'm also Asian so no one ever thought I would cheat or be bad academically. The point of my sharing this is, if you or someone you know could have learning issues, get it figured out. Struggling through school sucks!!! And if you're a teacher, don't make assumptions your student isn't trying etc.
CBS Schoolbreak Special: Welcome Home, Jellybean (1984)
Good special
I just finished watching this... I was hesitant at first because I knew the dreaded R word would be used considering the content and time period it was made (only 1x or 2x that I caught it if the word offends anyone else like it does me).. And I was unsure how the special needs person would be portrayed and if their family would reject her. I'm mixed on both counts.
The father ended up moving out after he yelled at her causing her to pee on herself, it was for the best. She didn't deserve to be yelled at and shamed by him, so good riddance Dad if you ask me... The brother's mix of acceptance and rejection was sorta understandable but hard to take sometimes, I am a sibling of a special needs brother myself. The mom got the most sympathy from me. She had patience, love, and acceptance. But I was mad at her for using the R word and for not blaming her husband for leaving. Yes it was for the best like I said, but he definitely should have had more patience and acceptance. Geez, how was he when the son was in his terrible 2's?! Geraldine was a sweetheart, she got into trouble a lot simply because she didn't know better. It's sad that she is treated and viewed as a burden. She deserved better.
Overall I think it did a good job bringing to light what can happen in deinstitutionalizing a child.