Amazon’s ‘Gortimer Gibbon’s’ Is Singular, Joyful And Important — Just Like Childhood

There are very few things in this world that could make me wish I were the parent of teenagers. (Grade-schoolers suit me just fine for now, thanks.) But watching the new season of the Amazon Original series Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, which premiered today and is now available to stream, I heard myself say, “Man, it’s too bad my kids aren’t in middle school yet. This show would be perfect for them!”

Season Two of this truly terrific show catches up with best friends Gortimer, Mel, and Ranger as they begin 8th grade. They’ve made it to the teen years, but have mixed feelings about growing up. As each character confronts his or her inevitable march toward adulthood, the premise is explored in funny, imaginative, and even touching ways.

One of my favorite examples of this accomplishment comes in Episode 4, “Ragner And The Very Real Imaginary Friend,” wherein we meet Ranger’s childhood imaginary friend. His name is Iggy, and he comes back to life after Ranger nostalgically “calls” him up on a play phone. Ranger’s mom has decided it’s time to update Ranger’s bedroom (i.e. get rid of the hamburger bed), so he’s forced to box up the treasured toys of his younger days to make space for a built-in desk and more mature decor.

Iggy appears wearing a pirate costume and a fire fighter’s helmet —an ensemble my five-year-old was dressed in just last week— and he can be seen only by Ranger and Gortimer, since Ranger granted his best friend “clearance” when they were little. Iggy’s timing isn’t great, though, as the two eighth-graders are busy preparing their presentation for a young entrepreneur’s competition.

Ranger and Iggy convince Gortimer to take a break for fun’s sake, and the three head off to the playground to board their pirate ship/play structure. When Gortimer insists that they should get back to work on the presentation, Ranger decides he’s just not ready to leave Iggy behind and must eventually choose between his real best friend and his imaginary one.

Suffice it to say, I was in tears by the end of the episode. I cried for my two kids, who will eventually face similar struggles and confusion. I cried for me and for all of humanity that we can’t just stay carefree and simple and awe-struck. There is a great sadness to the fact of growing up that most of us don’t feel until long after the transition has already happened. And then it’s likely experienced as nostalgia with no real hope of getting back the “childish” parts of us that were singular, joyful, and important – those that existed only to make us happy.

Here’s where my therapist would say, “It’s never too late. Those parts of you still exist; it’s up to you to allow them back into your life.”

I suppose that’s true. And I think watching a show like this can help. Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street is a beautiful and timely reminder for parents that childhood is fleeting. It’s perfectly natural and good to want the best for your kid, but don’t forget what that means. There will not be another chance for your child to experience the carefree pleasures of their youth.

For the teens or pre-teens who watch it, I hope this show at least plants a seed whose roots take hold before they’ve rocketed past play and imagination. I hope they see, in 30-minute doses, an admittedly fantastical world that is still somewhat attainable, where friends take care of each other and nobody has their face stuck to a screen; where kids their age are thoughtful and smart and imperfect, but never in a hurry to grow up.

[Watch Season Two of Gortimer Gibbon’s Life On Normal Street on Prime Video]

Angela Arsenault is a freelance journalist and a reformed cable subscriber. Feel free to follow her infrequent tweets with no discernible theme: @justthisbreath.

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