Watch Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a captivating show that aired on Go90 in 2016. This dynamic and engaging series offers a unique blend of humor, drama, and heartfelt moments as it portrays a family gathering that goes hilariously wrong. While the premise may seem cliche at first glance, the various complexities the series slowly unravels present a brand-new take on family dynamics and the pitfalls of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

At its core, Thanksgiving focuses on a riotous family whose members span several diverse and distinct generations. As they put together the annual galaxy of mashed potatoes, pies, and roast turkeys, the show brilliantly highlights the hilarity and absurdities of modern life, as well as the universal human attributes of love, honor, and loyalty, all hidden behind the array of goofy humor and gentle mockery.

The storyline is primarily set on Thanksgiving Day in the contemporary timeframe, and it’s fundamentally structured around the Murphy family's yearly gathering. A colossal group of parents, siblings, plus ones, old cousins, unrequited old flames, and surprise guests crammed under the same roof, there's no shortage of tension, providing opportunities for scandal, revelation, and reconciliation for everyone around the dinner table. The series portrays a realistic depiction of a family's idiosyncrasies, showing that even amidst reveals, rifts, and awkward moments, there is an underlying bond holding everyone together.

The intrigue doesn't stop at the surface level drama of kitchen chaos and family miscommunications, though. As the series progresses each episode gracefully explores deeper, subtler themes revolving around love, relationships, career insecurities, and many other existential crises normally smoothed over during holiday get-togethers. The show is not shy in acknowledging or addressing these less ideal and messier aspects of life, demonstrating its commitment to providing a relatable and in-depth portrayal of the human experience.

The show sets its footing particularly strong through its stellar cast and characterization. Each character, right from the patriarch of the Murphy's to the youngest cousin, is intricately crafted with their distinct traits, quirks, and personal histories. The audience gets an insight into each character in a deep, engaging manner as they each harbor their own secrets and host of issues brought to the fore over the course of the meal. The ensemble cast delivers power-packed performances, bringing the Murphy family's story alive with their authentic and dedicated portrayals.

Moreover, the central theme of Thanksgiving Day is compellingly used as a device to unravel each character's narrative and the family dynamic. The show cleverly uses the anticipation of cooking the turkey and the facade of celebrating a well-meaning holiday to provide a platform to experience the clash of personalities, old wounds, comedic mishaps, and sudden insights into family dynamics.

Unraveling the comedy and drama with equal finesse, Thanksgiving revels in lighting up the screen with its excellent scripting and direction. The script delves into richly comedic moments to unadulterated drama, making every scene a blend of relatable realism and entertainment. The direction too adds depth, keeping up the pacing and rhythm of the story, ensuring there’s hardly a dull moment despite the series being largely shot within the confines of a single house.

In terms of technical brilliance, Thanksgiving does a commendable job. Shot in a realistic setting, the production design and cinematography of the series deserve special mention. The set depicting a typical American house bustling with chaotic preparation and arrivals adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, further enhancing the relatability factor for viewers. Moreover, the crisp dialogues coupled with astute editing aids in seamless narrative progression.

In summary, Thanksgiving is a mayhem filled rollercoaster ride combined with several moments of introspection and warming camaraderie. It’s a look into a family’s laundry list of problems and count of blessings. Its storyline, coupled with impressive performances, insightful dialogues, and compelling storytelling, makes it a highly entertaining series that prompts laughter, empathy, and contemplation among its viewers. It paints a picture of a Thanksgiving feast that, while exaggerated in places, feels altogether familiar – a riotous celebration of love, life, and of course, family. A must-watch for those who appreciate dark comedy infused with heartfelt family drama.

Thanksgiving is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between November 16, 2016 and on Go90