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Season 1 – Enlightened

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Enlightened 2011 Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
79% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
An ambitious corporate executive, Amy Jellicoe has succeeded despite the fact she can be her own worst enemy. After a series of self-destructive choices leads to a very public, humiliating nervous breakdown, Amy spends three months at a treatment center in Hawaii, where she learns to live a more enlightened existence. Upon returning home, however, she discovers her new passionate and honest outlook isn't accepted by her family, friends and co-workers, notably her mom, Helen, with whom Amy now lives, and her drug-addicted ex-husband, Levi. Immersed in a more complicated life, Amy must decide what's really important to her.
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Enlightened — Season 1

Enlightened — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Enlightened is an outstanding and brave show, exemplifying how a television series can successfully present different elements of the human psyche.

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Critics Reviews

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Doreen St. Felix The New Yorker The character of Amy Jellicoe, an executive ground down to bones and nerve after a mental breakdown, could have been a sort of spiritual successor to Tony Soprano. It is a critical text in Dern studies. May 9, 2020 Full Review Michael Judge Wall Street Journal This isn't just the story of one woman's search for relevance or power in a man's world; it's the story of one human being's search for meaning, one soul's search for redemption. Oct 10, 2011 Full Review Alessandra Stanley New York Times The series embraces the absurdities of its subject with enough compassion to avoid outright parody. Oct 10, 2011 Full Review Renee Scolaro Rathke PopMatters Enlightened doesn't belabor Amy's cluelessness beyond the first few episodes. Instead, it offers a complex portrait of her of working out belief and self-understanding - past that first moment of seeming transformation. Rated: 8/10 Oct 10, 2011 Full Review Ed Bark Uncle Barky The wonderful new HBO series Enlightened is a heartbreaker/dreammaker. Rated: A Oct 10, 2011 Full Review Lily Moayeri Under the Radar The underlying black humor is what keeps Enlightened interesting. Rated: 7/10 Oct 10, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (16) audience reviews
Audience Member This show is so incredibly relevant to what our world if going through right now. Gosh I am learning so much as someone who too has come to this enlightened state. The story perfectly depicts what it feels like to become your higher self whilst everyone around doesn't seem to get it. Highly highly recommend!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/25 Full Review Audience Member I watched this as I loved the white lotus and thought this may be similar. It's not, I found it boring and with a very aggravating voice over. Wishy washy, no bite to it whatsoever. Disappointing Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member A great hidden jam. Ahead of its time. Luvs it. Cringy af. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Stephen G A sad, irritating show about a sad, irritating woman who has sad co-workers and a sad ex-husband and who works for a bad company. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 12/05/20 Full Review Audience Member The dark humor can be a bit much at times but the show just draws you in. It is ambitious and I think a home run. Too bad HBO didn't think so. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member The best! Love this series! Laura Dern is amazing as always and the storyline is compelling, thought provoking, and incredibly authentic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Enlightened — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Laura Dern

Amy Jellicoe

Luke Wilson

Levi

Diane Ladd

Helen Jellicoe

Sarah Burns

Krista Jacobs

Timm Sharp

Dougie

Charles Esten

Damon Manning

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 10, 2011 Pilot A corporate employee starts a new life after having a meltdown and receiving therapy at a holistic treatment center. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 17, 2011 Now or Never Amy's hopes for a dream job are shattered; Amy struggles to reform her ex-husband and her mother. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 24, 2011 Someone Else's Life Amy considers searching for a job that is more socially responsible. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 31, 2011 The Weekend Amy convinces Levi to go on a river-rafting excursion with her. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 7, 2011 Not Good Enough Mothers Amy attempts to generate interest in a woman's group at work. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 14, 2011 Sandy A fellow group therapy alumna from Hawaii comes to visit Amy. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 21, 2011 Lonely Ghosts Amy and Tyler confront emptiness; Dougie gets a promotion at work. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 28, 2011 Comrades Unite! Amy and Dougie's conflict climaxes; Amy asks a favor of Krista. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 5, 2011 Consider Helen Amy heads to work, leaving her mother home alone; Helen runs into an old acquaintance; Levi confronts Helen about her role in his breakup with Amy. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 12, 2011 Burn It Down Amy convinces Levi to get treatment; Amy makes a presentation at work; Amy seeks Tyler's help. Details

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Enlightened — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Mike White
Executive Producer
Mike White, Laura Dern
Screenwriter
Mike White
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 10, 2011