Ep 13. Vietnam

The Kids Are Alright follows the Cleary family, an Irish-Catholic family with eight boys, set in the 1970s. In this episode titled "Vietnam", the Cleary family is dealing with the ongoing Vietnam War and all the politics and emotions it brings.

The Cleary boys are all at different stages of understanding when it comes to the war. While some of them are already protesting it and trying to avoid the draft, others see it as something honorable and are eager to enlist. Mike (played by Santino Barnard), the oldest Cleary brother, is especially passionate about serving his country and is planning on joining the Marine Corps.

However, not all of the Cleary family feel the same way about the war as Mike does. Pat (played by Kennedy Lea Slocum), the only Cleary sister, is very vocal about her anti-war views. She even takes it upon herself to organize a school walkout to protest the war. Meanwhile, Eddie (played by Caleb Foote) and Timmy (played by Jack Gore) are busy trying to avoid getting drafted by faking medical conditions.

As tensions between family members rise, a literal tropical storm hits the area, forcing everyone to bunker down in the Cleary's basement. This leads to some heart-to-heart moments between family members who have been at odds about the war.

The episode touches on a lot of themes that were relevant to the time period, such as the generational divide between parents and children, political activism, and patriotism. The show manages to balance these heavy themes with the Cleary family's signature comedic charm, making for an enjoyable and thought-provoking episode.

Overall, "Vietnam" is a standout episode of the first season of The Kids Are Alright that showcases the show's ability to tackle complex issues with humor and heart.