Ep 9. Being Different

Being Eve season 1 episode 9 entitled "Being Different" revolves around the life of a teenage girl named Eve, who is struggling to find her identity. Eve is trying to fit in with her peers, but she feels like she doesn't belong. This episode focuses on her struggle to reconcile her differences with her friends and family.

Eve's parents, who are theatre directors, are busy rehearsing for their latest play, leaving Eve to fend for herself. Her brother is away on a school trip, and her best friend, Grace, is absent for the day, making Eve feel extremely lonely. Her parents' preoccupation with the play and her friend's absence make her feel alienated, leaving her searching for a new group of people who will accept her differences.

Eve's difference is not only in her personality, but also in her heritage. She is half Maori and half Pakeha, which means she has a unique cultural identity. However, her differences cause her to feel excluded from both her Maori and Pakeha friends at school. Additionally, she feels like she doesn't belong in her own family, as her brother and parents all have blonde hair and blue eyes, while she has brown hair and brown eyes.

As she searches for her identity, she tries to connect with her Maori roots to gain a sense of belonging. She meets her grandfather, a retired politician who helps her embrace her cultural identity and differentiate herself from others. Her grandfather tells her stories about her ancestors and how their struggles have helped define the Maori culture, which makes her proud of her heritage.

Meanwhile, at school, Eve feels left out at lunchtime and struggles to connect with anyone. She witnesses a group of girls discriminating against another girl because of her weight, and it makes her realize that everyone has struggles and differences. She decides to stand up for the girl and befriend her, despite the backlash from the other students.

At home, Eve's parents are still busy with their play, causing Eve to feel like she doesn't matter to them. She speaks up and tells them that she wants to be a part of their project, and they finally listen to her and give her a role in the play. This makes Eve feel included and appreciated, which helps her gain a greater sense of self-awareness.

Eve's experiences in this episode highlight the importance of accepting differences and embracing individuality. By connecting with her Maori heritage and being true to herself, Eve finds a sense of belonging and learns that it's okay to be different.