Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father review: A familiar journey with few surprises

In Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father, Netflix attempts to revive the charm of English comedian Jack’s adventures with his father, Michael, but with a twist – Jack is now a dad himself. Starting with great expectations, the four-part series suggests emotional development and introspection on fatherhood between Jack and Michael.

Does it deliver though? Sadly no. What first seems like a fascinating idea soon becomes a rework of Travels with My Father with minimal understanding of Jack's new parental responsibility. The show struggles to stay focused, which results in a letdown trip.

The official synopsis of the docu-series is:

Jack Whitehall and his father embark on a globe-trotting trip to find answers to the big questions facing the comedian after becoming a dad.

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More about Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father

Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father kicks off with a promising premise. Jack is consulting his dad, Michael, as he gets ready for fatherhood. Jack's partner Roxy and their newborn Elsie are introduced in the first episode.

Viewers are guided to believe this will be an honest, touching depiction of fatherhood with plenty of ups and downs. However, any semblance of emotional depth is short-lived. By the second episode, the narrative shifts drastically, focusing more on Jack’s adventures rather than his experiences as a father.

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A missed opportunity

Despite the potential for heartfelt moments, Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father fails to explore the nuances of parenthood. Instead, it feels like Travels with My Father Part 2, with Jack and Michael visiting various locations around the world, that are loosely connected to the theme of fatherhood.

Ultimately, the series becomes more about travel and less about Jack’s journey into fatherhood.

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Jack's world of technology and parenting

In one episode, Jack and Michael explore the future of parenting, highlighting technology’s role. They interact with AI robots, take virtual dance classes, and ride in a driverless car.

While this offers an interesting commentary on the technology, it lacks the emotional connection viewers expect from a show about fatherhood. The irony of Jack exploring these advanced technologies while being physically absent from his family adds to the disjointed feel of the series.

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Unrelated themes and lack of depth

One of the most controversial parts of Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father is the episode where Jack and Michael visit a survivalist camp in Utah. They are introduced to a world of weapons, militias, and paranoia, making for an uncomfortable watch.

The show fails to critically engage with the dangerous aspects of American gun culture, presenting the extreme survivalist lifestyle without sufficient context. This episode leaves the audience questioning the relevance of the series’ fatherhood theme, further weakening its structure.

Despite its comedic elements, Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father is ultimately a missed opportunity to explore the profound aspects of being a parent. Jack’s relationship with his father could have provided valuable insights into generational shifts in parenting, but the series opts for lighthearted banter and shallow explorations of cultural themes.

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Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father is a series that promises much but delivers little. It veers from Jack's journey into fatherhood in favor of revisiting the lightheartedness of Travels with My Father.

Although Jack and Michael's banter will appeal to fans of the original show, but anyone seeking a closer examination of parenting will be let down.