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In the twilight years...

Kominsky Method (miniseries, Seasons 1 -2; 2018-19)
Netflix


People may have led different lives using separate yardsticks as guides to pave their journeys in life, but as they sail towards the tail-ends of their shelf lives, their concerns are the same. They worry about how they would spend the remnants of their human existence. Appreciating that end is nigh, every mild ailment is perceived as the coup de grâce. Many of the familiar faces grace the obituary column. They wonder whether the life that they led could have been better. Regrets start trickling in. So do guilt. The dilemma of 'what ifs' and 'if only' starts playing in their minds. After some soliloquy, they would probably realise that given the circumstances, that was the best they could do.

Invariably, the question of offspring would stream in. The elders would go all out to pave a safe path for the young to pursue. Unfortunately, Nature dictates that the next generation would rebel. Perhaps this is to ensure diversity within a gene pool. Maybe, growing in shielded environments removed the guard that the before had to survive trying times. This would invite frequent intergenerational loggerheads. Ego comes in the way for reconciliation.

Regrets of omissions will be a few. Over time with the experiences drilled by the Life's School of Hard Knock, it would be clear as water their stupid actions made in the spring of youth.  Rather than crying over spilt milk, they would come in terms with their deficiencies.

Growing old is difficult. The world is only for the young. It has no patience for the aged. Having the other half can sometimes help, but it may be a bane as well, especially if the significant other is a source of stress. With the ever-changing family dynamics, many end up alone in their twilight years. 


This sit-com starring Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin highlights the difficulties of growing old, the heartaches, the pain, the fear and the ailments. It pokes fun at many of the things that only the seniors would appreciate. Simple things like having a good stream of urine mean a lot to an old man. He cannot understand why being politically correct is so important. Why should everyone be so easily offended? When did cultural appropriation become a thing? Why don't the youngsters find their jokes funny? When they start a conversation with a young lady, they are labelled as 'dirty old man'. Their interaction with children is viewed as inappropriate.

The two seasons with eight half-an-hour episodes has had heads turning and a third season is in the pipeline.







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