Drama
Alien: Earth
FX’s ‘Alien: Earth’ is just the latest graphically violent entry in the already graphically violent ‘Alien’ franchise.
You’ve heard of American Idol, and you’ve heard of The Voice, but how about Take Note?
It’s the hit singing competition starring children, and there’s no one more qualified for it than Calvin Richards, who spends hours singing in his bedroom. And what’s more, it’s come to Calvin’s hometown of Atlanta to recruit for its upcoming season. Things sound perfect!
Of course, Calvin doesn’t see it that way. After all, he’s never sung all by himself before—it’s always been with his choir. And even if he does manage to make it past auditions, he knows the show is cutthroat, and others will look to sabotage his chances of winning it all.
It’s a lot to deal with when you’re only 13, but he won’t have to do it alone; his family unconditionally has his back—something that’ll take time for him to fully understand.
“Why does this matter so much to you?” Calvin asks his father.
“Because it matters to you,” comes his father’s reply.
So, Calvin’s fears melt away, and he steps up on stage. But even with his family at his back, can Calvin overcome the stress of a new environment and the pressure of a national competition?
Parents will be happy to hear that not all shows require a broken family. In fact, Calvin’s family in the lighthearted Take Note is just the opposite.
Sure, they’re going to get on each other’s nerves every now and then, but the Richards don’t let petty squabbles distract from their love for one another. Calvin’s parents, Reggie and Drea, support their child and offer him love and advice. They’ve uprooted themselves for more than a month to live in a hotel in Hollywood just to see him compete! Reggie and Drea want to see Calvin do his best, and they show a genuine care to guide him on his musical journey, and Reggie doesn’t want Calvin to disappoint himself.
“Not everyone gets to realize their dreams, Son,” Reggie tells Calvin, “And that’s OK. But the regret I’m talking about comes from not even trying.”
Throughout the competition, Reggie and Drea help Calvin work on how to deal with many different topics, including popularity, guilt and inequality. In one episode, when Calvin attempts to understand how to sing a moving folk song, his father guides him through it via a Black Lives Matter protest they see on the television. In another, Drea and Reggie must help prevent Calvin’s fame from inflating his ego. In every situation, they give Calvin the wisdom he needs so that he can make the ultimate decision, never forcing him one way or another, but trusting that their good parenting will guide Calvin onto the right path.
But it’s not only Calvin’s parents who show him love and support: His 10-year-old brother, Jaxon, does too. In fact, he’s the one who joyfully ran to find Calvin when he heard that Take Note was coming to town, and he’s the first who pushed him to grab the opportunity. Even though Calvin’s incessant singing may occasionally get on its nerves, Calvin’s family genuinely wants him to succeed. And as Calvin unintentionally hurts his family members’ feelings, he’s quick to realize his mistakes and run back, asking for forgiveness, as it’s his family who has been his rock through all of these trials.
For Christian parents, this can remind us of God’s love for us. Though we often stumble and lose direction, our Father in Heaven remains steadfast in His forgiveness for our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And if God is patient with us, how much more should we imitate this with our own children?
That is not to say that the show is free from some minor unsavory elements, such as gags about vomiting and flatulence. A couple of people wear tight outfits or shirts which show their midriffs, and Calvin’s mother occasionally wears a dress which shows a little cleavage. Calvin’s parents very occasionally share a brief kiss, and at one point, they make a brief flirtatious and suggestive remark toward one another. One character uses God’s name inappropriately once in her excitement. Additionally, some of the songs may reference topics parents may not find appropriate for their children, such as DNCE’s “Cake By the Ocean” and Meghan Trainor’s “I Love Me.”
But overall, Take Note is a fun, light-hearted story that many families can enjoy together and maybe even be convicted by to care for one another just a little bit more.
When popular tween singing competition Take Note comes to Atlanta for recruiting, Calvin must overcome his fear of singing solo to impress the judge.
As Calvin sings along to a video, his family waits for him so they can all eat as a family. Eventually, Calvin’s brother Jaxon goes to get him, wearing a helmet to do so, as when he taps Calvin’s shoulder, Calvin is scared and accidentally hits Jaxon in the head. Calvin apologizes, saying that it’s like his family ceases to exist when he watches Take Note. Calvin sings in the Greater Atlanta Gospel Choir, and they practice “This Little Light of Mine” in order to raise money for charity.
After Calvin tells Jaxon that he’s not interested in the Take Note auditions because he’s never sung alone, Jaxon tells his parents that they need to support Calvin by knocking him out and forcing him to get on the stage. Jaxon’s mother Drea says no, wanting to support Calvin in whatever he chooses. His father Reggie agrees with her until she leaves, and Reggie and Jaxon hatch a plan to force Calvin to overcome his fear.
During the charity performance, Jaxon pulls away Calvin’s choir robe in front of the audience, expecting him to be in his full suit. However, Calvin had taken the tight pants off, and the audience laughs when they see him in boxers. Three days later, the video has gone viral, causing Calvin to be known as the “Underwear Kid.”
Drea threatens Reggie and locks him out of the car. Drea cheers Calvin up, and Calvin takes comfort in the fact that his singing idol Ali Parkson wouldn’t be afraid to sing in her underwear. (Drea responds by saying she “certainly wasn’t on her third tour or her fifth tour.”) Reggie and Drea attempt to sneak past security to talk with Ali Parkson, but they are caught, and another viral video claims they tried to kidnap her.
Reggie makes a poop joke.
Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He’s also an avid cook. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”
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