UNITED STATES OF AL returned for its second season showcasing the days following the fall of Kabul in Afghanistan. We witness eight, harrowing days as Al (Adhir Kalyan) tries to get his sister, Hasinna, to safety.
The entire episode took us on an emotional, raw journey. The viewers were right there day and night with the entire family as they gave Al emotional support. Riley, (Parker Young) especially took on this mission using every contact he had in the service. Even his daughter and ex-wife did all they could to help.
This part of history just recently occurred. We all felt the horror of those final days. It felt real. My heart was racing the entire time. So many people did not get out of Afghanistan in time. Would Al’s sister be one of the lucky ones? Even if she did, what about the rest of his family? His mother and cousins? And all the thousands of interpreters struggling to get to the border and safety?
Chuck Lorre, the creator of this sitcom, now has four Afghan writers on the staff. This adds to its believability, depth, and honesty. I know I was mesmerized. I felt the anguish. I cried real tears for a country that will never be the same.
UNITED STATES OF AL is supposed to be a comedy, but sometimes you have to live in the darkness before you can see the light and goodness in this world. It is must-see TV and is available to stream on CBS and Paramount+.
