Watch Welcome to Plathville
- TV-PG
- 2019
- 4 Seasons
-
5.3 (471)
Welcome to Plathville is a reality television series that first aired on TLC in 2019. The show features the Plath family, who live in a rural area in Georgia and have extremely conservative and religious values. The parents, Kim and Barry Plath, have decided to raise their nine children in a sheltered and secluded environment, away from the influences of mainstream society. The series primarily focuses on the lives of the older children - 17-year-old daughter Moriah and 18-year-old son Micah - as they navigate their way through life outside of their parent's strict rules. Moriah and Micah are intelligent and talented individuals, but their upbringing has left them isolated and unsure of how to interact with the world around them. Moriah is the rebel of the family, constantly pushing the boundaries of her parent's rules in order to carve out a life that is more authentic to her true self. She has a passion for singing and songwriting, which often puts her at odds with her parents who view music as a worldly distraction from God. In the first season, we see Moriah begin to explore her budding sexuality and engage in a secret relationship with a boy from her church. This puts her at risk of being cut off from her family entirely, as her parents view any form of premarital romantic relationship as sinful. Micah is portrayed as more of a peacemaker who is eager to explore the world outside of his home, but still treads carefully in order to not anger his parents. He has a talent for modeling and hopes to pursue a career in the industry but is often held back by his parent's reluctance to let him pursue anything that they don't approve of. Despite these obstacles, Micah remains committed to finding his own path in life. Throughout the show, we also get a glimpse into the lives of the younger Plath children, who are still being homeschooled and live under their parent's watchful eye. The show highlights the difficulties that arise when children are not given the opportunity to socialize with those outside of their immediate family and the adverse impact that an overly sheltered upbringing can have on a child's development. Overall, Welcome to Plathville is a fascinating look into the lives of a family who hold vastly different values to mainstream society, and the challenges that arise when these beliefs are put to the test. The show highlights the importance of allowing children to explore their individual passions and interests, while also emphasizing the importance of family and the difficulties that can arise when these two ideals are in conflict.