POV Season 35 Episode 9 Love & Stuff

Love & Stuff is an emotionally charged episode of the long-running documentary series POV. In this episode, filmmaker Judith Helfand turns the camera on herself and her mother as they navigate the final years of her mother's life.

Helfand's mother, Florence, is in her 90s and has always been fiercely independent. But as she begins to experience health issues and her memory starts to fail, the roles in their relationship begin to shift. Helfand becomes her mother's caregiver, an experience that is simultaneously rewarding and emotionally taxing.

The episode explores the complex emotions that come with the end-of-life process, including grief, sadness, and the overwhelming feeling of responsibility. Helfand is candid about the challenges she faces as a caregiver, including the stress of constantly being on call and the difficulty of balancing her own life while caring for her mother.

But Love & Stuff is not a bleak or depressing look at aging and death. Instead, it celebrates the deep love between a mother and daughter, and the resilience and humor that both women display in the face of difficult circumstances. Florence is a vibrant and engaging figure, and her spirit and zest for life shine through even in her moments of vulnerability.

Throughout the episode, Helfand deftly combines personal footage of her and Florence with reflections on the larger societal issues surrounding aging and end-of-life care. The documentary asks important questions about how we value the elderly and the ways in which our healthcare system falls short when it comes to providing quality care for older adults.

Love & Stuff is a poignant and thought-provoking episode of POV that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one or the challenges of caring for an aging family member. Helfand's intimate and honest approach to the subject matter makes for a compelling viewing experience that is both moving and enlightening.