I have no clear memory of this show as a kid. Sunday night, my friend told me about this program and specifically this episode.
First, the premise of this show is just plain interesting.
Second, I like the fact that at least with one episode of "Touched by an Angel", it is shown that the human characters involved did not, in fact, have their problems solved in an hour, living happily ever after.
Third, I like how self-aware the show is. For instance, they talk about how traveling in a motor home from job to job is almost more expensive than its worth. Specific to this episode's plot, it is also mentioned how those computerized dolls handed to high school kids aren't realistic because addressing a baby's needs is a lot more involved and complex than just holding it in the proper position and inserting a key.
The Greens are a likeable family. They're good, kind and wholesome, but aren't portrayed as the perfect Christian family who always have the answer for everything. It is clear they sometimes get on each others nerves and that they struggle with the complexities of this world like everyone else. There are two good examples of such in this episode: the first being when Russell and Claire are talking about how much kids know about sex these days (those being 1996) and how much is too much information, what is lacking from the discussion, and was the old way this was approached really better simply because it was the old way; another example being when Claire deals with a question from nephew Nathaniel about "You're kid was supposed to be born, but it wasn't; I wasn't supposed to be born, but I was."
I also like the fact that it's made clear from the beginning of this episode that Claire and her oldest son Josh have had the talk. In other hands, "The Secret" could have instead been about Claire not wanting teenage Josh to participate in the sex education class she's teaching, because she, as the typical idiot Christian TV character thinks he's too young to learn.
I also like what the creators did with Josh (Austin O'Brien) in general. He is neither the actual goody-two-shoes nor is he the fake goody-two-shoes bad kid. It's shown from the outset he's girl-crazy, but when he has an opportunity to be alone with a girl after her parents have gone out for the evening, he does not at all take this as an occasion to get into the girl (Megan's) pants, inviting her to his trailer for a homecooked meal instead.
I thought the issues of sex and teen pregnancy were handled pretty well, as well as an hour of episodic commercial television on an over-the-air network in 1996 could handle them. Megan isn't lectured by Claire and Russell for fornicating, as that would obviously do no good at that point. Some truths are said about love and sex and its consequences, and Russell advises the school principal well regarding the rift that develops between him and his daughter after the secret is revealed.
My only real complaint as far as messaging is concerned is Claire should have made it clear to the class that children are worth it; they just require lots of responsibility, and now is their time as teenagers to learn about and gain experience with taking care of kids and to start developing a philosophy toward that sort of thing.
Watch it here, although you will have to deal with some buzzing from around the 40 minute mark.
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