One Mississippi Christian Review
One Mississippi isn’t your typical TV show. It doesn’t blare its themes or try to win you over with dazzling twists. Instead, it meanders quietly, like a stream through the woods, making you sit up and take notice only when you’re already knee-deep in its waters. Created by and starring Tig Notaro, the show is a semi-autobiographical exploration of grief, identity, and the peculiar way humor intertwines with pain. It is a delicate dance of deadpan comedy and deeply personal tragedy, and for Christians seeking thoughtful stories about resilience and renewal, this is a show worth your time.
The Landscape of Loss
Grief is not a guest who visits and leaves; it’s a permanent resident, rearranging the furniture of our lives. In One Mississippi, grief is a major player. Tig returns to her Mississippi hometown after her mother’s unexpected death. She’s already carrying her own baggage—recovering from a double mastectomy and a life-threatening illness—but now she has to face the quiet, suffocating weight of losing the woman who gave her life.
What makes this show remarkable is how it handles grief without melodrama. There are no grand speeches or tear-streaked monologues. Instead, the grief seeps in, understated and persistent, in the way the house feels too quiet or the way a box of old clothes seems heavier than it should. As Christians, we are reminded of Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Watching Tig navigate her loss feels like a gentle call to lean into God’s comfort when life feels unbearable.
Laughter as Medicine
If grief is the river running through One Mississippi, humor is the raft that keeps it afloat. Tig Notaro’s trademark deadpan delivery turns the mundane into the absurd, offering moments of levity just when the heaviness threatens to overwhelm. Whether she’s making wry observations about her quirky family or finding hilarity in the absurdities of daily life, Tig’s humor is both disarming and deeply human.
This balance between comedy and sorrow feels inherently biblical. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh.” One Mississippi doesn’t force its humor or try to chase cheap laughs; instead, it uses comedy as a salve, a reminder that even in our darkest moments, joy is still possible.
The Messiness of Family
Families are a complicated mix of love and dysfunction, and the Pescatellis are no exception. Tig’s stepfather, Bill, is a caricature of stoicism, masking his emotions behind a wall of rules and routine. Her brother, Remy, is quirky and endearing but clearly grappling with his own demons. Together, they form a unit that is as awkward as it is endearing.
As Tig sifts through her mother’s belongings and unearths long-buried truths, the family’s dynamics shift. Old wounds are reopened, but healing begins to take root. The show doesn’t offer a tidy resolution—because real families don’t work that way—but it captures the slow, painful process of learning to love each other better.
This messiness is a reflection of the grace we are called to extend to one another. Ephesians 4:2-3 urges us to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Watching Tig and her family stumble toward understanding is a reminder that love often looks like showing up, even when it’s hard.
Empathy in Action
What sets One Mississippi apart is its profound empathy. The show tackles heavy topics—grief, trauma, identity—without ever feeling preachy or exploitative. Instead, it invites viewers to sit with these emotions, offering a space for reflection and connection.
Tig’s interactions with the people around her are marked by a quiet compassion. Whether she’s confronting her own pain or listening to someone else’s story, there’s a sense that she’s holding space for the complexity of human experience. As Christians, we are called to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). This show embodies that spirit, reminding us of the healing power of simply being present with one another.
Confronting the Past
One of the most compelling aspects of One Mississippi is its exploration of how the past shapes us. Tig’s journey isn’t just about grieving her mother; it’s about reconciling with the parts of her own story that she’d rather forget. Through moments of quiet introspection and raw confrontation, she begins to unearth the truths that have been buried for too long.
For Christians, this act of reckoning feels deeply resonant. In 1 John 1:9, we are reminded that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” While Tig’s journey isn’t framed in explicitly spiritual terms, it carries the same message: bringing our pain into the light is the first step toward healing.
Not Without Flaws
It would be dishonest to call One Mississippi perfect. The show occasionally veers off course, indulging in surreal asides or narrative detours that feel unnecessary. There are moments when the pacing stalls, and some plotlines feel underdeveloped.
For Christian viewers, there may also be elements of the show that feel uncomfortable. Its exploration of sexuality, trauma, and other mature themes is handled with care, but it may not align with everyone’s convictions. These moments require discernment, but they don’t detract from the show’s overall message of hope and healing.
The Quiet Power of Vulnerability
If One Mississippi has a central thesis, it’s this: there is strength in vulnerability. Tig’s deadpan humor may suggest a certain detachment, but beneath that exterior lies a willingness to confront life’s messiest, most painful moments head-on. By sharing her story with honesty and courage, she creates a space for others to do the same.
This is a deeply Christian idea. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul writes, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Tig’s story reminds us that our scars are not something to hide; they are evidence of God’s grace and the resilience of the human spirit.
A Series Worth Watching
One Mississippi is not flashy. It doesn’t rely on cliffhangers or sensationalism to keep viewers engaged. Instead, it offers something rarer: a story that feels authentic, compassionate, and deeply human.
For Christians, the show is an invitation to reflect on our own journeys of grief, healing, and reconciliation. It reminds us that even in our brokenness, there is beauty to be found.
Final Rating
8/10. One Mississippi is a quietly powerful series that blends humor, heartache, and hope in a way that feels profoundly honest. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. Its imperfections are part of its charm, a reminder that life is messy, and that’s okay. For those willing to sit with its complexities, it offers a rich, rewarding experience that lingers long after the final episode.
