Ep 7. The New American Dream Is Trashed

As the United States evolves, the way one views the American Dream changes. As such, people become wayward and stray from the path once promised to them. In Wayward Nation season 1 episode 7, titled "The New American Dream Is Trashed," Leonard and Jackie navigate the not-so-promising careers that became the reality of their lives.

Leonard, a former high school football player from Minnesota, now works in construction. Jackie, originally from Illinois, dreams of becoming a singer, but she works at a manufacturing company that frequently reminds her of her failed aspirations. Both Leonard and Jackie are struggling to make ends meet and feel like they are stuck in a rut. They are struggling to find their way in a new America where finding a decent-paying job is difficult, and the American Dream is dead.

Leonard's day-to-day is tough. He knows what has to be done, but he is not sure if it's worth it. He spends most of his day sweating, up high on a rooftop, in 100-degree weather. Despite the tough work he faces daily, he also has something else weighing him down. His aging father, whose health is decaying, suffers from a debilitating disease, and his medication is expensive. However, Leonard is doing everything in his power to afford the medications and ensure his father is comfortable.

Jackie, on the other hand, is struggling with her career. She wants to pursue her singing career but doesn't want to abandon her job and lose the stability it provides. She works long hours at a small manufacturing company that makes park benches. She hates her job, but she cannot quit due to the lack of opportunities in her area and her fear of ending up homeless.

The episode captures the two's plight and a tear-jerking moment when Leonard's father collapses. Leonard feels the weight of his family's tough situation on his shoulders. He sees a different side of the American Dream and realizes that this is the new reality of his life. He cannot afford to escape the hard life given what he and his father are dealing with.

Jackie, recognizing Leonard's situation, is wary of pushing him away. At times, she hates how her job makes her feel stuck, but she knows that losing it would take away the only form of stability she has. Leonard and Jackie's relationship grows as the episode progresses, and they find comfort in each other's struggles.

In the end, the two realize that the American Dream was a false promise to people like them. They learn to appreciate what they have, their health, and their jobs, even if they are not their dream careers. "The New American Dream Is Trashed" is a gut-wrenching episode that accurately represents what a lot of Americans face in today's economy. Leonard and Jackie's story is just one of many, and it highlights the human cost of economic insecurity.