Ep 11. Off and Running

Off and Running is the eleventh episode of the twenty-third season of the popular PBS documentary series POV. This episode tells the story of Avery Klein-Cloud, an African-American teenager who was adopted by a white Jewish lesbian couple in Brooklyn and raised with her two brothers. The film follows Avery in her senior year of high school as she pursues her dreams of becoming a track star and applies to colleges, while also trying to piece together her identity and come to terms with her complex family background.

The film opens with a montage of Avery running on a track, interspersed with scenes of her with her family, including her moms, siblings, and birth mother. Through these scenes, we see Avery's close relationship with her family, especially with her oldest brother Rafi, who is also adopted and is studying to become a rabbi.

As Avery approaches her senior year of high school, she becomes increasingly focused on her track performance and her college applications. She dreams of attending college on an athletic scholarship and eventually competing in the Olympics. She receives the attention of several college track coaches and begins to prepare for the demanding recruitment process.

However, Avery's personal life becomes more complicated as she tries to reconcile her identity as an adopted African-American with her Jewish and white upbringing. She begins to have doubts about her connection to her birth mother, who is African-American and has had a tumultuous past. Avery struggles with the idea of being "half-white" and "half-black" and fears that she doesn't fit in with either community.

The film also explores Avery's relationship with her adoptive moms, who have always supported her in her pursuits but have also shielded her from some of the harsh realities of racism and prejudice in the outside world. Avery begins to question their approach and seeks out more information on her racial and cultural heritage.

As Avery navigates these personal challenges, she also faces setbacks in her track career, including a serious knee injury that threatens her college prospects. The film documents her physical therapy and emotional journey to recovery, as well as her growing confidence in her ability to overcome adversity.

Throughout the film, we see Avery's resilience and perseverance in the face of obstacles. She is a determined young woman who is willing to confront difficult questions and pursue her dreams with passion and dedication. Off and Running offers a thought-provoking and heartfelt look at race, family, and identity in modern America, as well as the power of sports to inspire and transform lives.