GOING HOME: SEASON 2

GOING HOME: Season 2 is a wonderful tribute on Great American Family to the inherent dignity of every person’s life. The Sunset House is a hospice facility dedicated to helping people with terminal illnesses find a good death. The staff, Charley, Tamara and Janey, give each patient personal loving care as they help them make peace with the past, themselves, others, and God, before “going home.”

Title: Episode 2.1: “Lazarus, Come Out”

Episode 2.1, titled “Lazarus, Come Out,” is about a comatose man, Frank Ford. He is brought to Sunset House after he was found unresponsive in his home. The staff fears the patient is already dead on arrival. However, under Charley’s care, he literally begins to come back to life. She takes an interest in Frank’s love of baseball. Charley encourages him to hold on until the Seattle Mariners baseball team makes the playoffs.

Meanwhile, a popular podcast host, Jocelyn, of “Jocelyn’s Big Adventures,” decides to go to Sunset House after she sees Janey’s commercial with a bright outlook on helping terminally ill people transition with a good death. The only problem is Jocelyn’s husband, Jack, doesn’t want her to give up on her medical treatment options.

Also, Janey tries to train a new hospice nurse, Linda. Linda is repulsed by the personal and physical touch given to the patients in hospice. She quits. Janey blames herself.

The first episode of Season 2 stresses the need to lovingly care for sick patients. Psalm 62:8 is read aloud. Also, the episode ends with a prayer.

Title: Episode 2.2: “Jocelyn’s Big Adventure”

Episode 2.2 continues with Charley helping Dr. Jack accept the wishes of his dying wife, a popular podcaster, Jocelyn. Dr. Jack faces his fears. He brings Jocelyn’s recording equipment into her hospice room so Jocelyn can do one last podcast. Jocelyn is thrilled her husband agrees to join her on her last big adventure podcast. Grab your tissues as the beautiful couple say goodbye to each other. They don’t want to part from each other, but Jocelyn promises to take her love for her husband with her.

Meanwhile, Janey connects with her new patient, Ida. Ida works overtime to fix Janey up with her handsome grandson, Mario. Also, Charley follows through on her promise to look after her deceased friend, Kat’s, family. Finally, Tamara struggles with her newly diagnosed diabetes.

The second episode of Season 2 has some wonderful references to inspiring Bible verses from Phil 4:6 and Phil 4:15, and an encouraging phrase to “add life to your days, not days to your life.” Beautiful and meaningful relationships continue to blossom in “Jocelyn’s Bg Adventure.”

Title: Episode 2.3: “Big and Faithful”

Episode 2.3 is about Pastor Bob in his last days. Bob is very popular with his congregation. In fact, they love him so much that the Sunset House can’t accommodate the number of cards and flowers he receives. He loves being a Pastor. He knows each and every family, and the troubles teach one has endured. Sadly, however, Pastor Bob hasn’t made the time to know his own family. His wife sits by his side, but his children and grandchildren are not coming to visit. Can he see the truth about his family life before it is too late?

Meanwhile, Charley invites her deceased friend’s husband, Alec, to grief therapy. Their friendship deepens. Tamara needs extra hours of work to pay for her diabetes medication. Janey offers support to a moody Mario as Ida’s health takes a downward turn.

Episode 3 of Season 2 has plenty of drama. There are some great messages, such as the importance of seeking God’s forgiveness before we die. Main characters pray to Jesus and recite Psalm 23. Some caution is recommended due to some adult situations, such as suffering and death. Also, a woman reveals in group therapy that her 16-year-old daughter died from an accidental fentanyl overdose.

Title: Episode 2.4: “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”

In Episode 2.4, Charley helps a young man, Mason, who is terminally ill due to a lifelong struggle with anorexia. Mason is bitter and distant. Charley takes time to see through his pain, and offers him some human connection and affirmation. As a result, Mason opens up to her. In his last days, he asks her to read to him from the Bible, just as his mother did when he was a child.

Meanwhile, Tamara bonds with an elderly woman, Callie. The two get along famously until Callie’s older sister, Harper, comes to take charge. Harper accuses Tamara of stealing a family heirloom. Sadly, Tamara’s boss and friend, Scott, doesn’t come to her defense.

Charley and Alec’s relationship becomes romantic in “His Eye on the Sparrow,” until his children vehemently express their disapproval. Also, Charley transmits God’s love to Mason. She reads Psalms and Matthew 10:29.

The fourth episode of Season 2 contains some sensitive content, including references to anorexia, sickness and death. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises some caution.

Title: Episode 5: “Unforgivable”

In Episode 2.5, Charley helps a famous horror writer, Hannah, come to terms with the influence her work has had on society. Hannah has a terminal brain tumor, but she suffers more from regret and guilt. Hannah is afraid to die, and she’s afraid of the dark.

Janey read one of Hannah’s books and believes the woman is evil. She tries to avoid her, but Charley employs Janey’s help to care for Hannah. Tamara, however, loves Hannah’s horror books. She tells Hannah that Hannah’s not responsible for what some people did with her stories, such as some murders committed by a horror book fan. Tamara thanks Hannah for being a strong role model for female writers. Tamara assures her that there are sometimes good things in the dark, too. At one point, however, Charley and Hannah wonder if there are some things that are unforgivable in the eyes of God. The relationship with Hannah causes Charley to ponder her own guilt for an accident that led to a young boy’s death while under her care.

The fifth episode of Season 2 revolves around the subjects of God’s grace, forgiveness and judgement. It contains some biblical phrases and references to spiritual and psychological healing. There is some dialogue about the murders committed by the horror book fan.

Title: Episode 2.6: “Wonderfully Complicated”

In Episode 2.6, Charley consoles Lily, who doesn’t think she will be able to say goodbye to her daughters before she dies. However, all 14 daughters make it in time to say goodbye. Lily was a beloved foster mother for many years.

Meanwhile, Charley’s mother falls and breaks her collar bone. Charley is unsure about what to do because their relationship has always been complicated. Charley visits her independent mom and discovers her mom is much sicker than she thought. Charley must bring her end of life care skills into the most complicated relationship in her life. She’s a wonderful nurse, but can she learn to be a wonderful daughter too?

This episode cites a beautiful line from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Charley learns to appreciate the importance of her mother and does the right thing taking care of her, even though it’s not easy.

GOING HOME: Season 2 is absorbing and inspiring. Kindness, gentleness, and mercy are at the forefront of care for every patient. The program consistently demonstrates the power of faith and compassion, which transforms souls as they make their journey from this life to the next. Each episode contains teachings that include Scripture and prayers. The lead character, Charley, talks to God and prays for her patients at the end of each episode. That said, the sensitive nature of suffering and death hits hard at times. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children for Season 2 of GOING HOME.