Stream: Transparent (Season 3)

Over the past week or so, many of my favorite shows have gone on winter hiatus, which is giving me extra time to stream. I sped through Transparent season one and season two the very first weekend they were available. However, when season three came out, I thought I was going to watch with my mom over Thanksgiving, but she couldn't wait and watched without me! 

On my flight home from San Francisco two weeks ago I binged most of the third season. After that, it took me just one more night to reach the finale. 

*SPOILER ALERT! Do not read on if you do not want to know anything about the plot of the show.*

I found season two to be a bit too extreme so I was hesitant when I pressed "play" on the first episode of this new installment. When we rejoin the Pfefferman family, Maura is contemplating gender confirmation surgery. Her girlfriend, played by the majestic Anjelica Houston, is not too thrilled with this development. 

Maura and Shelly's oldest daughter, Sarah, is back in the house with her ex-husband, Len. Their relationship blurs all the lines. Sarah attempts to get in touch with her spirituality by hosting special events with the synagogue, which creates a slew of awkward moments. I definitely cringed at least once per episode. 

Josh's story line was the most genuine to me. As he tries to get over the death of his first love, Rita, he embarks on a road trip with a stranger (a stripper stranger), goes to church with his biological son, and then considers moving to that tiny town to be near him. His grief has him grasping at straws.

One of the hardest scenes to watch is when Josh attends one of Sarah's synagogue events the day after Rita dies. Rabbi Raquel, his ex, can't help but want to check on him. Their exchange is painful to watch. We can all relate to a situation where someone we once loved tries to reach out again. Those conversations are familiar and foreign, all at the same time.

The youngest Pfefferman, Ali, I actually found much more tolerable this season. She has always been my least favorite character, but this time around I thought she was finally relatable. She does her best to comfort her older brother during his time of need and she also navigates a relationship that has become suddenly serious with her academic mentor. 

The most shocking story line was Shelly's. Up to this point, Shelly has been the selfish, out of touch mother. In this season we learn much more about her through flashbacks. First, a series of flashbacks to her in elementary school. It is slowly revealed that she was sexually abused by her music teacher. Later, we discover that her relationship with Mort actually started as an affair when he was engaged to another one of Shelly's friends! When we return to present day, Shelly breaks up with her boyfriend Buzzy after uncovering his web of lies about his past. In the finale, she performs her one woman show "To Shel and Back" and it was one of my favorite moments all season. 

Season three is nominated for two Golden Globe awards in the categories "Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy" and "Best Performance by an Actor - Musical or Comedy." Personally, I think Judith Light should have received a nomination as well.

Did you watch the most recent season? What did you think? 

*Image sources: 1, 2 and 3. 

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