Watch Transparent

Transparent is an Amazon Original television series that premiered in 2014 and ran for five seasons until 2019. It tells the story of the Pfefferman family, centered around Maura (Jeffrey Tambor), a transgender woman who comes out to her family late in life. The show tackles themes of family, identity, sexuality, and acceptance with a raw intensity and vulnerability that is rarely seen on television. The Pfefferman family is dysfunctional, to say the least, with adult children Sarah (Amy Landecker), Josh (Jay Duplass), and Ali (Gaby Hoffmann) all grappling with their own personal demons.

Sarah is married to Len (Rob Huebel), but still pines for her college girlfriend Tammy (Melora Hardin), who is now engaged to someone else. Josh is a successful music producer, but his relationships with women are complicated by his unresolved feelings for his babysitter Rita, who committed suicide when he was a teenager. Ali, the youngest sibling, is an aimless millennial trying to find her place in the world.

Maura's transition from Mort to her true self, as well as her relationships with her ex-wife Shelly (Judith Light) and her children, is the heart of the show. Tambor's performance as Maura is exceptional, balancing the pain, humor, and joy that come with finally living as her true self. Shelly is a complex character in her own right, struggling to find her own identity outside of her role as a wife and mother.

The show explores the theme of intergenerational trauma, as the Pfefferman children grapple with the emotional legacy of their grandparents, who survived the Holocaust. This is exemplified by the character of Gittel (Hari Nef), a cousin of the Pfeffermans who survived the war by passing as a Christian. Gittel's story is interwoven with that of the rest of the family, highlighting the relationship between past and present.

The show also tackles issues of privilege and social justice, particularly in the arc of Sarah's storyline. At the beginning of the series, Sarah is a wealthy, entitled housewife who seems to have it all. However, as the show progresses, she begins to confront her own complicity in systems of oppression, particularly around issues of race and class.

Transparent also has a strong sense of place, with the city of Los Angeles serving as a backdrop for the characters' struggles and triumphs. The show explores different neighborhoods, from the affluent areas of Pacific Palisades to the more bohemian enclaves of Silver Lake and Echo Park.

Overall, Transparent is a groundbreaking series that pushed the boundaries of what could be shown on television. It was praised for its powerful performances, its honest portrayal of trans identity, and its willingness to tackle complex and difficult issues. While the show is not without its flaws, it remains a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the human experience.

Transparent is a series that ran for 5 seasons (41 episodes) between September 26, 2014 and on Amazon Studios