(spoilers below if you are unfamiliar with the plot of the show)
ghostlight2, I don't know if you're still reading this thread or not, but I wanted to make a comment. I respect your opinion about the show and about Stew the person's aura, but in terms of part of your criticism, the show is only loosely autobiographical. Stew's actual relationship with his mother was very different -- they were not estranged and he was with her when she died. Their relationship is depicted in a certain way for dramatic purposes. And I think that the "show Stew" tries to tell Youth that he has not treated his mother well -- "show Stew" bluntly tells Youth that he will never see his mother again, and I think Youth is supposed to be well, kind of a self-centered kid who has a lot of growing up to do. I don't think we as the audience are supposed to be rooting for every decision that Youth makes. I think the show pretty clearly indicates that Youth takes his mother for granted until it is too late.
And Stew has also specifically mentioned that the going-to-Europe part is not just based on his own experience but also that of James Baldwin and Josephine Baker, both of whom spent much of their adult life in Europe as expatriates and both of whom are directly mentioned in the show. I don't know how much of Youth's experiences in Europe are autobiographical. And he has also talked about how Youth's journey to Europe meant he could use racial stereotypes to his advantage while at home he was trying to avoid them, which I think is kind of a new slant on "going abroad to find oneself."
And I don't think the show is stereotyping all Germans, just pretentious artsy ones, who are somewhat caricaturized for comedic purposes. There is nothing specifically "German" about those portrayals except for the accents and names.
I realize that the show didn't work for you and that you may not agree with my take on the show, but I wanted to just put it out there.
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
