Paper Moon

OH it was so nice to have another fresh episode of Ryan and Tatum: The O’Neals on OWN. This show has really grown on me. The episode kicked off with Ryan asking his daughter to accompany him to the doctor. She seemed so excited about being included in this simple task. It is strange. Between my sister and I, we have been to all of my mother’s appointments with her….something I have taken for granted. I could only imagine that Tatum must have felt wanted, something that she probably didn’t feel often with her father. It was a wonderful way to begin the episode. 

Set on testing the boundaries, Tatum and Ryan decided to take a trip to Palm Springs for a special screening of Paper Moon. While enjoying lunch, Tatum decided to bring up the topic of Ryan discussing his anger issues with his therapist. Just wanting to finish his meal, Ryan simply says “OK Tatum. Can I have some chicken first?” I have seen this play out so many times in my own life. Feeling so desperate for a parent to change and fear that they won’t. Allowing yourself to hope is so difficult. It just seemed as if Tatum was pushing her father to start the cycle and just let her down….an old routine. Sometime it is more scary to hope than to accept. Expecting the worst, Tatum gently pushed the buttons to test. As the meal concluded, Ryan wasn’t sure about wanting to go to Palm Springs….something Tatum knew might happen. 

With the uncomfortableness there, Ryan struggled with the hard moments he and Tatum kept having. However he moved forward with making plans to head to Palm Springs. He invited both Marketa and Farrah’s old hairdresser, Mela, to come along. Maybe he was hoping they would neutralize the waters. After getting a few details from Marketa about her conversation with Ryan, Tatum reached out to her father. “Are you mad at me?” she asked. [read more…]

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