mixed-ish
Overview
Rainbow Johnson reflects on her upbringing in a biracial family during the 1980s, navigating the challenges of identity and cultural expectations. As she shares her journey, the series explores the tension between blending into the mainstream and honoring her diverse heritage. The narrative reveals the humor and heartache of her family's quest for belonging, highlighting the intricacies of racial dynamics and the struggle to define oneself amid societal pressures. Through Rainbow's eyes, audiences experience the unique trials and triumphs of growing up mixed-race in a vibrant yet complex world.
Episodes
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1
Becoming Bow
Rainbow Johnson's parents make the decision to leave their hippie commune and relocate to the suburbs to secure a better future for their family. Whil...
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2
The Warrior
Rainbow and Alicia struggle to blend in at school while trying to excel at work. But with their stay-at-home dad, Paul, encouraging them to improve th...
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3
Let Your Hair Down
When a teacher advises Rainbow to keep her hair “neat” for picture day, she starts to feel insecure and embarks on a tumultuous journey with her h...
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4
Love Is a Battlefield
Rainbow is given a school project that involves exploring her family history, and she discovers that her mother's lineage has a much more intricate st...
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5
All She Wants to Do Is Dance
The Johnson kids are gearing up for their first school dance, but before Bow can hit the dance floor, she must reflect on the implications of her date...
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6
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
The elite group of girls at school invites Rainbow to be part of their Halloween costume as Tootie from “The Facts of Life.” She believes this is ...
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7
Puttin' On the Ritz
The children are thrilled when Harrison invites them to family day at his country club, eager to discover more about their grandfather. Despite Paul's...
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8
Weird Science
Rainbow's enthusiasm for science takes a hit when her classmates persuade her that it's not trendy. On Career Day, she adapts her persona and opts for...
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9
Papa Don't Preach
Paul faces a challenge when Rainbow and Santamonica express their desire to join a beauty pageant. At the same time, Johan endures teasing from his pe...
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10
Do They Know It's Christmas?
Alicia and Paul are determined to uphold their “Winter Solstice” customs from the commune, but their parents are pushing for a more conventional C...
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11
When Doves Cry
Following the Challenger disaster, Rainbow and her family cope with their sorrow in varied ways. Denise comes to the realization that life is fleeting...
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12
It's Tricky
After joining the track team, Rainbow is determined to challenge the stereotypes she faces at school, feeling that her friends focus only on her skin ...
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13
Pride (In the Name of Love)
On the inaugural national Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Paul takes the stage at the school assembly to share his personal encounters with the civil ...
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14
True Colors
Paul is taken aback when his estranged mother reaches out, expressing her desire to come for Rainbow's 13th birthday. As he navigates this unexpected ...
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15
This Charming Man
Rainbow is thrilled about her first official date with Bryce on Valentine’s Day, but the input from her friends about dating guidelines fills her wi...
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16
She Works Hard for the Money
Alicia receives a bonus for her successful case and dreams of purchasing a luxury car. However, influenced by her upbringing with the “fifty-cent pr...
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17
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
The Johnsons are eager to greet an African American family that has recently settled into their predominantly white neighborhood. Initially, Santamoni...
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18
Parents Just Don’t Understand
Rainbow finds herself in a heated argument with her parents about her passion for rap music. Meanwhile, Harrison takes Denise to a charity event, wher...
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19
Doctor! Doctor!
When Rebecca, Rainbow's friend, contracts mono, Rainbow steps in to support her and finds herself intrigued by the medical profession. Meanwhile, Alic...
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20
Bad Boys
Alicia and Paul attempt to steer Johan away from his dream of attending cop camp and becoming a police officer. At the same time, Rainbow lands her fi...
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21
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
Upon discovering that scientists estimate the ozone layer could be gone in just 20 years, Rainbow becomes anxious and decides to introduce Earth Day a...
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22
Every Little Step
The children encounter a homeless man in their community, prompting Paul and Alicia to engage in a genuine discussion about the issue of homelessness....
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23
You Got It All
Alicia and Paul receive job offers to join Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign, but Alicia’s law firm presents her with a tempting proposal to r...
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1
Sweet Child O’ Mine
When Rainbow discovers that Johan has been pretending to be of another race, she becomes furious. Meanwhile, Alicia and Paul brainstorm ways to help J...
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2
Brand New Funk
Alicia and Denise argue about who embodies the essence of a strong Black woman more. At the same time, Paul and Harrison devise a novel method to expr...
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3
On My Own
Paul shakes things up by inviting one of his students to stay with the family, sparking a friendly rivalry between him and Alicia as they both strive ...
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4
Livin’ on a Prayer
Bow starts to explore the idea of attending church with her friends, which worries her parents. At the same time, Santi and Jonah are busy getting rea...
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5
My Prerogative
When Paul decides to join Denise and Alicia for their neighborhood Spades game, they take the opportunity to explain the game's cultural and racial im...
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6
Just the Two of Us
Alicia and Denise come to the unsettling realization that they’re being pigeonholed into stereotypical roles as Black women at the law firm, and Har...
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7
You Give Love a Bad Name
Paul and Alicia promote open discussions about sexuality with Bow, but things take a turn when she decides to invite her crush over, leaving them anxi...
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8
She's a Bad Mama Jama
After her surgery, Grandma Shireen moves in with the Johnsons, and Alicia finds that looking after her grandmother is more demanding than she anticipa...
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9
Material Girl
Alicia splurges on a stylish Louis Vuitton bag, but when Paul discovers her purchase, he insists she take it back. Determined to keep it, Alicia resor...
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10
You Dropped a Bomb on Me
Tamika, Rainbow's closest friend, requests her help in organizing an unforgettable 14th birthday bash. Bow is determined to make it a truly memorable ...
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11
Tainted Love
When the Johnson family catches Harrison on a date, Paul takes it upon himself to offer some dating tips to Harrison. Meanwhile, Alicia grapples with ...
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12
Walk This Way
Paul makes an effort to strengthen his friendship with Denise by leveraging his white privilege to assist her with various errands. At the same time, ...
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13
Forever Young
Rainbow Johnson reflects on her childhood in a mixed-race family during the 1980s, sharing the ongoing struggles her family encountered as they naviga...
