Today, seldom will you see TV programs that are so spiritually uplifting. What the boob tube unfortunately and in gracious hefting serves is mega doses of violence, sexuality and profanity plus a little of senseless slapstick that always leaves me bewildered of how we can be so violently insane. This is the reason why I never liked sacking myself in the couch munching on something inedible watching TV. To be fair though, there are still good TV shows that definitely touches my heart. I do not know how others take this one, but I always appreciate reality TV programs that highlight the true spirit of humankind. Some say these are subtle forms of exploitation - only for the rating game and the dollar they pour to the dying entertainment industry. To each his own; however, if these programs glorify the triumph of man over adversities and atrocities to teach the many a lesson or two, then I think the exploitation allegation is justifiable. One such program is Bio Channel's Random 1.
Random 1 chronicles chance meeting of people. Its premise is simple. A group of good Samaritans (R1) still believes in the inherent goodness of man. On the street and anywhere they approach ordinary people, talk with them and learn more about their lives. They believe each person has a problem or two which are bothering him or her. Random 1 likes to help ordinary people with their problems, may it be simple like a lost contact lens or something more profound and bigger such as recovering from alcoholism. Random 1 makes chance encounters happen which hopefully save the person's problem. Basically, it is helping people solve problems by facilitating random meeting with other kind-hearted individuals.
The premise sounds absurd at first. When you start watching the program, however, you will realize that indeed it can work. It works to Mark, Norman and Joe the Barber. All three are alcoholics. They are chronic alcohol drinkers, alcohol deviants if I may, because their lives have been totally devastated by the habit. Mark in his 40's has his life wasted in the very eyes of his father who has faith that his only son still can change. In a tent city, Mark met Norman and because they share the same passion for alcohol, bonded together and saw both of them drown in the spiraling vortex of alcohol addiction. It is in this utter squalor that Random 1 chances on Mark. After this random meeting, Mark gets to be introduced to Joe the Barber who has an equally interesting past to share.
With the help of his father, Random 1 was able to help Mark become somebody new again. This is not the most exciting part of the story though. Mark wanted to help Norman too. Norman in his early 50's was left alone by his three children because of alcoholism. With Mark's help, Random 1 was able to film a clip of Norman and showed it on TV. Norman's children saw it and felt pity for the father they have not seen for 13 years already. Random 1 facilitated the reunion of Norman and his three children. The meeting was tense-filled. Random 1 did not know what would transpire. Norman without any remorse in his heart hugged his children, now adults. He could not describe how he felt most especially when he learned that he is now a proud grandfather of two grandsons and one granddaughter.
Norman promised to change for his children and also for his grandchildren. With Mark and his father's encouragement, Norman entered a detox center for alcoholics. It served as a middle house before the real rehabilitation. He survived the seven days of sobriety and felt ready now for the rehabilitation. Entered Joe the Barber. After Mark and Random 1 fetched Norman from the Wilson House (detox center), they passed by Joe to give Norman a new haircut. Joe himself is an alcoholic but for 27 years now is clean and carves his own niche in the local community - he is everybody's friendly barber. He gave Norman a token of some sort which the latter has to hold on when tempted back to drink again. Today Norman is a changed man, thanks to Random 1 and chance meeting with modern day good Samaritans.
I was so moved by this Random 1 episode. It stunned me sitting on the couch. Men don't cry, alcoholic men most especially because they would like to believe that they are strong. Physically yes, but sadly, they are not emotionally. Norman is a big man but when he cried his heart out, tears pouring out of his eyes down his bearded cheeks, I cannot imagine how unfair society was for him - how unfair for us to judge the many Normans around us. Random 1 has opened my eyes on this sad reality that we can be so judgmental. Shows like Random 1 give me so much hope that we can indeed make a difference if only we care. Random 1 in all its simplicity and with all its unconvoluted plots is more than entertaining. It is spiritually uplifting. It is good for the heart...and the soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment