Raising Dion

Based on: Raising Dion comic by Dennis Liu

Created by: Carol Barbee

Executive producers: Carol Barbee, Charles D. King, Kim Roth (and several others) 

Starring: Alisha Wainwright (Nicole), Ja'Siah Young (Dion), Jazmyn Simon (Kat), Sammi Haney (Esperanza), Jason Ritter (Pat), Griffin Faulkner (Brayden), Ali Ahn (Suzanne) 

This show was mostly very impressive. 

I don't like kids, and this show had a mostly "kid" cast, at least as far as the main ones. But that didn't turn me off and Young did a great job portraying Dion. I was also very impressed by Haney's performance as Esperanza. Her character had an interesting dynamic, especially in season 1, of showing full support and love for Dion even with the hurt and frustration of being brushed aside by him and not acknowledged as a real friend. I was really impressed by Haney's ability, as such a young actress, to pull all that off, and I really bought her performance. And I have to add that I'm excited that Netflix cast an actually disabled actress to fill the role, too! 

The adorable and talented Esperanza, who repeatedly stole the show

But the thing that really made the show for me was the dynamic between Dion and his mother, Nicole. The realism really sold me. Nicole really felt like a struggling, single mother who would do anything for her son, who spends much of the first season just trying to secure a respectable job. When the powers kick in, this doesn't change. She really feels like a struggling, single mother who's just realized that her son has supernatural powers and doesn't know what in the heck to do about it. The revelation of powers doesn't change who Dion is, doesn't change who Nicole is, and doesn't change their relationship. It's just another factor, another thing they have to deal with, and I absolutely love that. 

Dion first discovers his powers

Dion first displaying his powers for his mom, who has a very amusing "What is happening" moment

Those are the things that made the first season stand out to me, and the writing kept it afloat. It had several very interesting plots going on: Dion figuring out his powers, Nicole trying to keep him safe from potential threats, learning more about Dion's father (Michael B Jordan), and a mysterious, nightmarish lightning figure who keeps hunting and killing powered people. The these threats come together very well and the recurring side characters like Pat and the aforementioned Esperanza really made the show shine. 

The appropriately terrifying "crooked man" villain in a promo poster

Sadly, it didn't last all the way through. I have to touch on some of the things that didn't quite work. Thankfully, they're much lesser than those that did. 

The main thing that really hurt me (both as a fan--which is good--and as a writer--which is bad) is the villain reveal in the penultimate episode. One of the main side characters, one who had a lot of screen time and who went through a character journey all their own, was revealed to be the one who has been killing powered people all season. It really didn't work for me because not only did it feel completely contrary to their character, but I also didn't see that there had been buildup for it. I can't think of any hints or foreshadowing that this character was capable of such evil. 

The second season was just.. not as great. I felt a very hard to describe decline in quality. I felt that Young's acting wasn't as good, Pat being held captive by Biona wasn't quite convincing enough, and the new villain was ... weak. The show tried to portray him as deeply evil and sinister, but it's a young kid and the show's rating and tone just didn't really seem to allow room for "sinister." So especially that aspect fell somewhat flat. 

Dion tries to upgrade his superhero wardrobe in season 2

There was also an episode near the end when the show tried to convince us that Nicole was going to die from a terminal infection. She went around asking people to help raise Dion and even filmed a person goodbye to him, but the whole time, I kept thinking "This show wouldn't actually kill her off. She's too important and that's too harsh." And guess what? I was right. 

And that felt like a big waste of emotional buildup. 

Nicole's season 2 love interest. The show kept trying to set her up with people, which I felt was unnecessary 

Season 2 wasn't all bad, though. Nicole, Dion, and Esperanza stayed good through the end, barring Young's slightly less convincing performance. The main plot was exciting--a sinkhole opening up outside Dion's elementary, with properties that affected his powers. And the formal training regimen for Dion to learn his powers better was also great. 

I think the show had potential for a lot more. Dion was finally really awakening to his ability to be a real, full hero, and there was a new villain awakening at the end of the finale that had real build-up and potential that I was very impressed by. The combination of those two made for a great season finale and very interesting season 3 potential. 

Sadly, the series has been cancelled :-/ 

I say it's absolutely worth a watch. Mid-season 1, the show is at its best. If you like it, keep going for the characters!