Watch Nuclear Family

Nuclear Family is an intimate and engaging five-part docuseries that follows a family's journey as they fight to keep their kids together during a custody battle in the 90s. Cade Russo-Young, Cris Arguedas, and Jacob Estes are the children that belonged to a lesbian couple, Robin and Sandy, who decided to start a family through artificial insemination.

Their lives were turned upside down when Sandy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and given only a few years left to live. Because they wanted their family to stay together and avoid being separated through the legal system, Sandy decided to legally adopt Cade, Cris, and Jacob. However, just a few years later, Sandy passed away, triggering a legal battle as her family decided to challenge Robin's parental rights, claiming that she was not a fit parent because of her sexual orientation.

The story of Nuclear Family is both inspiring and heartbreaking as the kids recount their emotional struggles and how they had to navigate the complexities of the legal system in order to stay together. One of the most chilling moments of the series is when Cade describes how she was taken from her mother's home by the sheriff and put into a car with people who looked like kidnappers.

As the family recalls the events that led to their separation, they also reflect on how their experiences have shaped them and their outlook on life. Their candid interviews reveal the emotional impact that the legal battle had on them and how it has affected their relationships and identities as adults. The series also features powerful interviews with lawyers and activists who fought to ensure that family law reflected the modern realities of non-traditional families.

What makes Nuclear Family such a compelling series is the way it tackles complex issues such as parental rights, family law, and LGBTQ+ rights through the lens of a personal story. It's a truly moving account of a family's love and perseverance in the face of adversity. The tone of the series is raw and honest, giving viewers a glimpse into the complicated emotions and coping mechanisms that these kids developed at such a young age.

Overall, Nuclear Family is a must-watch for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of how the legal system can impact families and what it means to be a family in the United States. It's an emotionally resonant series that highlights the need for compassion and empathy when it comes to issues of custody and adoption. Through the stories of Cade, Cris, and Jacob, we see how even the most "non-traditional" families can overcome adversity and stay together.

Nuclear Family is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between September 26, 2021 and on HBO Max