A Preview of ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Key Art for ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ Courtesy of Prime Video.

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

We firmly like to believe that growing up in this world, is a wholesome and beautiful experience, and understandably so. After all, modern society cherishes the wonder of family and encourages us to nurture our partners and our children if we choose to have them… so that… the incredible experience that so many speak to can finally take place. Where people grow up with parents that work together as a team to showcase what healthy love looks like, and at the same time, work hard to educate and grow their children. So, they become wonderful members of society that contribute and pay this mantra forward so that slowly but surely… the world can become a better place.

But alas… what is unfortunate about that belief is that… it isn’t the one true constant in this world. For out there are children that grow up in broken homes, without two parents present for various reasons, and their growth and learning experience is vastly different because of that. And there are children that spend their youth in shockingly toxic environments. The kind that are filled to the brim with abuse and negatively reinforced formative moments and well… let’s not mince words… we simply make a point to not acknowledge that in this world. For that would shatter the mantra in question and force us to realize that we as a society, aren’t working to improve lives, we simply hope that magically can be inspired. But it cannot, for the ugly must be exposed and addressed and thankfully, storytelling helps start those conversations and inspires change, and it just so happens… that a brand-new series on Prime Video is about to have those hard discussions on how not everyone grows up in a rosy environment and what the potential impact of that kind of youth can have on a person.

Which makes, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, a supremely important series. One that holds little back in its presentation of a less than savory youth and well… since we here at NTG have seen this series early, we thought it would be worthwhile to speak of the majesty of this series in a spoiler-free manner. In part to celebrate what it accomplishes in advance, and to inform the fans of this adaptation of Holly Ringland's work, what to expect, and to warn some. Because the subject matter is tough. For this is a story that takes us through the life and times of one Alice Hart. An individual that spends her years dealing with the horrors of a broken childhood. Complete with trauma, loss, and other elements that we shy away from discussing in this world. And in the wake of those disasters, she moves in with what little family she left to pick up the pieces of her young life and that… will be no easy task when it comes to the secrets her family harbors, and the enduring legacy of her trauma.

Which is… the perfect way to explore the subject matter at hand. Because it forces us to see first-hand, what a darker kind of childhood looks like, and how difficult and taxing it is upon a kid. Since they don’t understand the nuances, we do about why people act the way they act, and that leads to a powerful series that not only has the tough discussions about how children are raised in this world, but what lasting impact a rough childhood has upon them. Since this show does showcase more than just that moment in the life and times of Alice Hart. For we see her later years; we see that impact and that makes… for a stunning series. One that truly does start the conversation about how we cannot let this kind of life persist for children and that better structure has to be in place to protect them and give them the right chance to grow.

But again, be forewarned, this writer wasn’t joking in saying that it holds nothing back. Which can be jarring and scary and uncomfortable. But it is necessary to get the point across and it is handled in a manner that is organic and not gratuitous. But of course, there are more reasons as to why this show is so engaging and so powerful, such as the cast. Since this story features the work of Sigourney Weaver and Alycia Debnam-Carey, and their acting skills only add to the depth of what is truly… an absolute must-watch. For this really is a revolutionary tale, designed to explore a core tenant of our society, one that has been ignored for far too long and the best news of all, is that we can learn and be moved by this series in just a couple of days. For The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, makes its debut on Prime Video, this Friday, August 4, 2023, and we here at NTG cannot wait for you to experience the majesty of this incredible and important story.

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