This Close

This Close is a compelling drama that debuted on SundanceTV in 2018. A genre-blending mix of comedy, drama, and romance, the series offers an intimate, heartfelt, and humorous exploration of friendship, love, and personal growth, all framed within the experiences of two friends who are deaf. The show is the brainchild of real-life best friends and deaf actors Shoshannah Stern and Josh Feldman, who serve as creators, writers, and protagonists—true trailblazers in terms of representation in mainstream television.

The series centers on twenty-something best friends Kate (Shoshannah Stern) and Michael (Josh Feldman). Kate is a smart, perceptive, and strong woman trying to balance her personal and professional life, while Michael, a sensitive and open-hearted gay graphic novelist, is battling his inner demons and dealing with a breakup. The story revolves around their deep-rooted bond, their respective romantic relationships, their individual career struggles, and the complexities of being deaf in a predominantly hearing world.

The show illuminatingly presents the various facets and experiences of deaf culture. Heralded as a groundbreaking series, This Close is one of the few shows on television that prominently feature deaf characters. It dispels long-held stereotypes by showing that Kate and Michael's deafness does not define who they are but is instead just one aspect of their identity. The characters communicate using American Sign Language (ASL), with the show subtitling the exchanges for viewers.

However, beyond the deaf culture, This Close also brings to fore a universal exploration of the human condition. It covers romance and heartbreak, friendship and loneliness, ambition and failure; thus, having a broad relatability that extends well beyond the deaf community. The depiction of vulnerability, moments of joy and sorrow, and the ways in which the characters grapple with their changing circumstances, makes the show unflinchingly authentic.

The series features a talented ensemble cast that enhances the storytelling. Cheryl Hines, known for her work in Curb Your Enthusiasm, portrays Kate's well-intentioned boss, while Zach Gilford plays Danny, Kate's insecure boyfriend who struggles to navigate her deaf world. In addition, the guest star roster includes Marlee Matlin and Nyle DiMarco, both of whom are deaf actors, solidifying the series' dedication to authentic representation.

What really sets This Close apart from other television series is the way it creates a nuanced representation of deaf characters. It does not romanticize or sensationalize their experiences but instead depicts them realistically and relatably.

In terms of aesthetics, the series maintains an appealing visual style throughout, with cinematography capturing the vibrancy and nuances of Los Angeles, where the show is set. Moreover, the series often plays with sound and the lack thereof, adding another layer of complexity to the cinematic storytelling method. The sound design is immersive, shaping viewer's orientation in the narrative through shifts in sound fields, encapsulating the unique audio-visual world that Kate and Michael inhabit.

Moreover, the show has been lauded for its sharp and poignant writing. Stern and Feldman have created a series that is a complex, nuanced, and layered look at friendship and the ways people lean on each other in times of crisis. The dialogue, primarily in ASL, is as engrossing as it is unique, and the narrative themes are universally relatable, making This Close a show viewers can connect on multiple levels.

This Close, in its core, is a show about relationships – between friends, lovers, colleagues, and with oneself. It explores how we shape our identities through these relationships, and how they, in turn, shape us. But it also goes a step further in capturing the unique experiences of a community that is so rarely portrayed, let alone understood, on television.

In conclusion, This Close is a groundbreaking series that effortlessly interweaves comedy, drama, and emotion while throwing light on the often-underrepresented deaf community. It sends a resounding message about the power of representation, bringing forth the importance of authenticity and inclusivity on screen. It's a heartwarming, captivating, and powerful watch that entertains audiences while promoting a more diverse and inclusive landscape in the realm of television.