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New HBO Series Sneak Preview: Enlightened

by Jacob Klein
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ENLIGHTENED-Syfy-6-550x366-300x199Amy Jellicoe, an ambitious executive at a global conglomerate, has been her own worst enemy for most of her adult life. Her self-destructive choices, both at home and at work, have resulted in a very public, humiliating nervous breakdown. After an extended stay at a treatment center in Hawaii, Amy returns to her fractured life, determined to lead a more enlightened existence. But her newfound noble intentions only ratchet up the drama, wreaking unexpected havoc on those around her.

A unique blend of comedy and drama, the new HBO series Enlightened kicks off its ten-episode season MONDAY, OCT. 10 (9:30-10:05 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Laura Dern (HBO’s “Recount”; Oscar® nominee for “Rambling Rose”) stars as Amy in the series, which she executive produces along with Mike White (“Year of the Dog”), who also co-stars, writes and directs.

After undergoing a traumatizing workplace setback, Amy Jellicoe begins questioning her role as a top-tier executive at her multinational corporation. On a forced mental health retreat, she experiences a dramatic transformation that inspires her to adopt a new attitude in her private life and at her company. But upon returning to the office, Amy discovers that her new enlightened outlook is unwelcome and even threatening to her co-workers and loved ones.

“There are so many anti-heroes populating TV series right now, I wanted to do a show about someone who is dysfunctional and far from perfect, but whose impulse is to do good and try to be the best person she can,” says Mike White. “Amy is living a very ordinary life, but her relentless drive to make her world better makes her unique – and in a way, dangerous. I also wanted to a write a show that was centered around a woman, but wasn’t a dating show. Amy has a lot more on her mind than just her romantic life – and I hope people will find that relatable and refreshing.”

“Amy is a mass of contradictions, a woman of good impulses who often does the wrong thing, a woman who wants to make things better but sometimes produces the opposite result,” says Laura Dern. “As she tries to decide what’s really important to her, she tries to live a deeply authentic life, but her passion and honesty often backfire, making her efforts to change herself and her world far more complicated.”

Also starring in Enlightenedare Luke Wilson (“Old School”) as Amy’s drug-addicted ex-husband Levi and Diane Ladd (Oscar® nominee for “Rambling Rose,” “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and “Wild at Heart”), Dern’s real-life mother, as Amy’s disapproving mother Helen. Among the other cast members are Sarah Burns (“I Love You, Man”) as Krista, the former assistant who has taken Amy’s old job, Timm Sharp (“‘Til Death”) as Amy’s sleazy boss Dougie, Amy Hill (“50 First Dates”) as Judy, the no-nonsense human resources rep who won’t give Amy a break, and Mike White as Amy’s seemingly meek co-worker Tyler.

Check out the episode descriptions for the fires few in the new series!

Episode #1: “Pilot”

Following an on-the-job breakdown, Amy Jellicoe (Laura Darn), a corporate buyer, returns home from an extended stay in a holistic treatment center. With a kinder-and-gentler attitude, Amy moves in with her mom, Helen (Diane Ladd), while making overtures to her company, Abaddonn Industries, to get her job back. Meanwhile, she reconnects with her ex-husband, Levi (Luke Wilson), but a relaxing evening short-circuits when he reverts to his old ways. The next morning, after reciting her new mantra – “I will change, and I will be an agent of change” – Amy returns to the office to start a new chapter in her life. But will Abaddonn take her back?

Episode #2: “Now or Never

Amy’s hopes of landing a dream job take a hit when she’s demoted to the basement of Abaddonn, working in data entry amongst a group of social misfits. The job has its perks, however, as she uncovers a litany of corporate improprieties while surfing the net in her downtime. Meanwhile, Amy’s attempts to improve the lives of her ex-husband Levi and mom Helen fall on deaf ears.

Episode #3: “Someone Else’s Life”

Jealous of Krista’s (Sarah Burns) good fortune and fed up with her humiliation at Abaddonn, Amy considers leaving the company for a socially responsible job at a homeless shelter. But the low pay, combined with a huge unpaid bill from the treatment center, give her pause.

Episode #4: “The Weekend”

Wary of reverting to her old, hard-partying ways on her first weekend home, Amy talks Levi into taking a rafting excursion to the Kern River, which they frequented during happier times, when they were married. The idyllic trip takes a downturn, however, when Amy discovers that her mission to implement change in Levi may be more difficult than she realized.

Tune in on October 10th for the series premiere of HBO’s Enlightened!

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2 comments

sammie July 27, 2012 - 9:21 am

i agree 100 % with that!! freash raw newbie is what he needs for the young views!! amen to that! great show . need more male newbies.
samantha

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CINDY C July 27, 2012 - 8:56 am

can not wait till season 2 – mike is a brillant writter, his AMY is so – ‘oh i felt like that” HE HAS THE MAGIC TOUCH, WE NEED MORE YOUNG TALENT ON THE SHOW- mike i hope will give us that this season and many seasons to come. Levi is a great x husband falling apart and needs to get it together, some nice intesting friends for him would be great- but yound, hot and new fresh meat. I like them wounded and watch them heal as Amy gig in season 1 – this writer has more in the future , just watch him bring in yooung raw new messed up talent and transform them as we get to watch them at the bottom and get better. we are invested in their recovery and lives, no big name just trgular people – like my friend – had a son like that- that we can related with.

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