Updated: March 13, 2020
Originally Published: March 13, 2020
My daughter Lily is a spirited, determined young girl. She’s incredibly clever, her imagination often leads her into amusing predicaments, and she truly perceives herself as a superhero. Recently, she even assisted me in voting for Kamala Harris (tears, tears), after expressing her shock that no woman has ever held the office of President. In every way, Lily embodies the brave and quirky heroine of her own story, and I am fully on board with it.
While it’s certainly enjoyable to share cartoons featuring fairy princesses with my daughter, it’s even more rewarding for her to watch shows that celebrate girls making strides in the real world. Fortunately, I don’t have to search hard, as Netflix has just launched a new series focused on girl empowerment.
Executive-produced by Alex Martinez, The Expanding Universe of Mia Rodriguez follows the journey of a Latina teen with aspirations as vast as her intellect. Fifteen-year-old Mia (played by Isabella Morales) enrolled in college at the age of nine and is now the youngest individual to earn a PhD. When she receives an opportunity to relocate across the country and design robots for NASA, our tenacious protagonist eagerly embraces the chance to escape her overprotective mother and live with her easygoing uncle.
Lily erupted in laughter while watching Mia in the pilot episode as she recorded a secret vlog entry about her new NASA position. In her bedroom, Mia expresses her frustration with her mother’s controlling nature and her desire to experience independence. When her mom knocks on the door to inquire who she’s speaking to, the clever young woman hastily claims she’s merely “packing out loud.” Lily couldn’t help but giggle as Mia clumsily pretended to narrate what she was placing in her suitcase, and I caught a glimpse of my own awkward teenage years in her antics.
It’s these delightfully awkward moments that reveal a female character who is equally hilarious and ambitious. While Mia’s intellectual prowess is undeniable, she also yearns to understand what it feels like to have her first kiss and learn to apply makeup properly. Essentially, she’s a typical teenager, albeit one with an extraordinary IQ. For Lily, witnessing Mia tackle the challenges of genius-laden teenage life opens doors to a future where she can envision herself doing the same. Mia’s intelligence, vivacity, and humor resonate deeply with my curious and playful daughter.
You might be wondering why this fantastic series hasn’t garnered more attention. I’ve been pondering the same question. Why on Earth would Netflix introduce such an endearing sitcom that combines elements of classics like Doogie Howser, M.D. with an adorable Latina lead and not promote it vigorously? The answer may lie in the troubling statistics regarding Latino representation in media, as well as the disappointing viewership of shows like One Day at a Time, which featured an all-Latino cast but was canceled after three seasons.
A 2014 study revealed that Latino characters on television are often pigeonholed into roles as criminals, law enforcement, or low-wage workers in overly sexualized contexts. Although Latinos represent one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the nation, their participation in mainstream, English-language media remains alarmingly low, largely due to a scarcity of inspiring narratives and roles. To be frank, it seems that digital platforms like Netflix are playing it safe by not amping up marketing for shows like The Expanding Universe of Mia Rodriguez. And that really stinks.
It’s crucial for girls from all backgrounds to see themselves represented in media because every child deserves an inspiring character who reflects their identity. If you haven’t yet explored this delightful Netflix series, I highly recommend you do so. Your daughters will be grateful.
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In summary, The Expanding Universe of Mia Rodriguez is a charming series that celebrates girl power and intelligence, making it a must-watch for young audiences. It provides relatable characters who inspire young girls to dream big and embrace their uniqueness.
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