‘Midnight Family’ Recap: ‘Pilot’ & ‘Heart’

9/25/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Diego Calva, Renata Vaca, Sergio Bautista and Joaquín Cosío as Marcus Tamayo, Marigaby Tamayo, Julito Tamayo, and Ramón Tamayo in Episode 101 of ‘Midnight Family’ – ‘Pilot’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Midnight Family’.

One particular tradition that takes place around the world, and is paid no mind, is that of the family business. Wherein a proud parent opens up a business that their children take part in and take over. It could be a small business, or it could be large, but everywhere you go, you’ll find this. Complete with family employees from just about any age because we cherish the notion of family working together, and there is something beautiful about seeing everyone come together to make it a success and keep it in the family for generations on end. Plus, we rarely pay it any mind, for it really is quite harmless in nature.

But what if… the family business wasn’t harmless? What if it was something dangerous and intense and there was risk involved? Would we view such matters differently? Well, those are questions that are indeed posed by a new series on Apple TV+, entitled, Midnight Family. Which takes us into the heart of Mexico City to meet the Tamayo family. Who yes, run a family business. One that is in fact, out of the norm and carries with it some negative connotations. In that, they are a family of paramedics. Which can be a lucrative business in Mexico City, courtesy of the hard reality that there are not enough government supplied ambulances for the public to make use of. So, families like the Tamayos drive and do their best to get paid and well, their adventures in ‘Pilot’ and ‘Heart’ explore the answers to those questions.

For these two stories showcase a fascinating reality. Wherein we come to learn that everyday people in Mexico City have to basically learn how to be paramedics to take part in such an industry. Because they need to be the ones to save lives if they want to see a dime of insurance money or standard money, and that’s… shocking to know. For we are reminded here that this kind of work is NOT easy in the slightest. In fact, it is dangerous, and it is stressful. Since the Tamayo’s encounter fires, and death and people that are genuinely in distress and what’s wild… is that their youngest family member is along for the ride. Which makes for a shocking premiere at times, one that hammers home that we would indeed view this differently and pay it mind if we knew this was happening more often.

Sergio Bautista and Joaquín Cosío as Julito Tamayo, and Ramón Tamayo in Episode 102 of ‘Midnight Family’ – ‘Heart’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Especially after coming to learn how much this kind of work alters life for the Tamayos’ as well. Since it stunts growth for Marcus, the eldest son, and Marigaby, or Gaby as she is commonly known… has to fight to keep it a secret to make it through medical school. Since that’s a conflict of interest and to make matters worse… she’s often late and often exhausted to class because of the work she puts in at night to pay the bills. Not to mention, Ramón has a dangerous heart condition that proves costly by the end of this premiere, all of which brings forth a powerful story. One that asks us to take a closer look at the family business as a whole in 2024.

Mainly because, not all of them are cute and lovely. Some of them are dangerous, some of them are toxic in ways and are harmful to family life and family health, and that is clearly what the show wants to express, along with so many other points. Such as showcasing the horrors of the Mexican Medical System. Because yes, while it is government run and provided to so many, it is a travesty that there are only 100 government sanctioned ambulances in a city full of approximately 23 million people. Because that is ridiculous, and it is equally as ridiculous that a family such as the Tamayo’s cannot receive more pay and assurances and guarantees from the government.

But that is the life they lead, and a life that others lead, and all of this brings together a refreshing and powerful story. One that is supremely original and unique and plunges us into a world we’ve never known, with characters that are dynamic and engaging and that we quickly come to care about. Thanks to quality acting and quality writing, and well… this does indeed push us to continue the journey. To see if this family can forge a path forward where they find success and freedom and if of course, they can continue to work together as one with Ramón in such terrible shape. Courtesy of a family business that is more of a burden, than a proud tradition. Until next time.

Watch ‘Midnight Family’

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