When I first heard about F is for Family, I braced myself for another run-of-the-mill animated family sitcom. What I discovered instead was one of the most profoundly resonant TV shows I’ve encountered in recent years. It’s a powerful exploration of the struggles families faced in the past, and strikingly, many of those issues are still relevant today, sometimes even more so. While marital problems and job anxieties might not sound like captivating subjects, F is for Family tackles them with a potent mix of humor, raw emotion, and biting satire. It transcends the typical cartoon label, much like the tagline for Heavy Traffic proclaimed: “It’s funny; but it’s not a comedy. It’s animated; but it’s not a cartoon.” A similar sentiment rings true here, proving that F is for family can mean something much deeper than initial impressions suggest.
Yes, fundamentally, it is an animated show.
The initial episode, admittedly, is the toughest to watch, not due to poor writing – quite the opposite. It’s simply intense. However, pushing past that initial discomfort is richly rewarding as the series consistently gets better with each season. The writers masterfully craft meaningful conflicts, and as you become more invested in the characters and witness their evolution, the narrative becomes increasingly impactful.
The show is rich with powerful visuals, effectively utilizing dream sequences and hallucinations to enhance the storytelling, alongside starkly realistic scenes. This visual storytelling justifies every moment of animation, making it a truly immersive experience.
Some of the bigotry portrayed in the show was intentionally jarring, and while uncomfortable, it serves a purpose. It’s a challenging aspect that ultimately enriches the show’s depth. One of the weaker comedic elements, however, are the jokes referencing future events, like Frank’s line about a Black president by 1985. These moments feel somewhat smug and out of place in a show that excels at humor derived from character development and plot. That kind of joke is better suited for shows like Family Guy (which is also excellent, but in a different way).
Ultimately, F is for Family is in a league of its own. It sparked introspection on contemporary issues like feminism and fostered a surprising level of empathy for characters who might initially seem unsympathetic. This show proves that animation is for family viewing, but in a way that stimulates thought and emotional connection far beyond simple entertainment.
