I have to admit, I miss television that taught you something and made you think about life. All too often now, television is wrapped up in superheroes and supernatural. Sure, there are lessons there too, but nothing like it used to be.
I will be the first to admit that a lot of Disney shows aren’t my thing. But, I was intrigued by Diary of a Future President, because I think it’s a time where we need to show girls that they can be anything. That they can do anything.
I think it’s time that we show our younger generation that there is no dream that is too big.
Diary of a Future President, is a Gina Rodriguez produced show that shows the power of family, dreams, perseverance, and the trials and tribulations of growing up.
Now, we’re a little behind (blame the fact that well, I just forgot) and so yes, we know it premiered two weeks ago – but we are hopping onto the review train for the 10 episode Disney+ series.
The show follows Cuban American Elena Cañero-Reed (Tess Romero) as she navigates the trials and tribulations of middle school. And let me just say – school is vicious. She’s now the President of The United States, and the show looks back at her life, through the things that she wrote in her diary.
Elena narrates the show.
The first episode is a tale that many of us can relate to. We’re looking back to when middle school started and Elena lost her best friend, Jessica. Jessica now hung out with the popular girls, leaving Elena behind. Elena’s values and who she is when she finds out a big secret (big for middle school) about her ex-bestie.
The secret having to do with the fact that Jessica doesn’t have her period on the same cycle as her new friend. Elena understands why having your period is a big deal in middle school and the currency that it gives you – because you are now a “woman.”
Elena can understand all of that, but what she doesn’t understand is why she and Jessica can’t be friends anymore. And hey – I get that. At that age, navigating friendships is hard (and it doesn’t get any easier as you get older – let me tell you) and understanding it all, as you emotions and body change is a lot.
But Elena is handling everything with a spirit and grace that most of us don’t have. It’s that though, that will probably play into how she becomes President one day.
Elena realizes in homeroom that she wrote down the due date for a social studies, she panics. She’s the type that is always on time or ahead of the game. But in the class, which is her sixth period, she wings a presentation, that of course teaches you something about allies, but also makes you think about the person that you are and the changes that you can make to be a better person.
We’re also seeing how Gabby – Elena’s mother – navigates dating and introducing a new relationship to her children. We see her trepidation to date, worried that not enough time has passed for her kids to be okay with it. It had been 3 years since their fathers death, but she wonders if it has been enough time.
The thing about this show is that it has a cast that draws you into the screen as they perfectly deliver every scene.
The show pays attention to their Cuban heritage. It will be interesting to see how often real-world issues that affect Latinx characters will play into future episodes and what we can all learn from these issues and how they are portrayed.
The first episode sets up several storylines that will possibly carry throughout the season. How these unfold will be exciting to watch as we learn the moments in Elena’s life that she feels made her become President.
The series writing is strong and Romero portrayal of Elena sets the series as one that we should all be watching.
Diary of a Future President, streams on Disney+. New episodes premiere on Fridays.
