You never truly anticipate the kind of encounter one will have while watching something alongside their children. I recently embarked on this journey when delving into the Rowan Atkinson Netflix series, Man vs. Bee. It bore a resemblance to his iconic Mr. Bean character yet incorporated more dialogue. This show had been on my Netflix watchlist for the past two years, and only recently did our family manage to tick it off.

A Family's Rollercoaster with Man vs. Bee

My Kids' Uncontrollable Laughter

Just like most kids within the age range of four to eight, my daughters and son are ardent fans of physical comedy. Man vs. Bee proved to be a perfect choice for them. From Trevor Bingley's (Atkinson) initial encounter with the bee to the end of this surprisingly concise series (each episode lasting around 10 minutes), my little ones were in fits of laughter. They found humor in the most unexpected situations. A man stumbling into dog poop? Hilarity ensued. An important manual getting burnt in a cooking mishap? Uncontrollable laughter. Priceless artworks being destroyed? You guessed it, more laughter. Watching them enjoy themselves was a delight, yet I couldn't help but be on edge throughout.

My Constant Nervousness During Man Vs. Bee

Let me tell you, I was on tenterhooks throughout the entire viewing of Man vs. Bee. There were moments when I teetered on the brink between bursting into laughter and having a nervous breakdown. It wasn't extreme enough to make me call it quits, but it definitely made me more on edge than most family-friendly comedies. There were multiple instances when I seriously considered calling my therapist to discuss my unease. When the ball blocked the library door from closing, my mind immediately went to the worst-case scenarios, which unfortunately came to pass. When Trevor placed the manual on the burner for no good reason, I was gnawing at my fingernails. And when the house finally caught fire, I was at my wit's end.

The Streaming Service's Temptation

As with all those addictive shows on Netflix, the streaming service's interface doesn't give you much time to decide whether to press play or move on to something else before the next episode starts. In the case of Man vs. Bee, my kids wasted no time and would start yelling at me to hit the play button. They didn't want to wait those extra few seconds. Even my youngest, who couldn't fully read the prompt, was yelling with all their might. They just couldn't get enough of the show and were eager to see how Trevor's story would unfold and the house would continue to be destroyed. With their homework already done and it being early in the evening, I was running out of excuses to avoid their demands.

The Pause for Doubt

Despite all that, I would occasionally step away from the show and go back to the title page, asking my kids if they really wanted to watch another episode. Each time, they would jump up and scream "Yes" repeatedly, leaving me with no choice but to press play. At the same time, I couldn't help but question myself. I knew how the show was making me more on edge than usual on a weeknight, but I didn't want to spoil the fun with my kids. So, I would always give in and continue watching.

The Overall Family Experience

All in all, watching Man vs. Bee with the whole family was an unforgettable TV experience. It was a mix of fun and occasional anxiety. In today's busy world, finding time for such family activities is becoming increasingly challenging. So, I'm grateful for these moments. There were chaotic and nerve-wracking moments along the way, but there were also plenty of hilarious and unforgettable ones. Although the series has been canceled and we won't get to see Trevor battle the pesky bug again, there are plenty of upcoming 2025 Netflix movies and shows that will hopefully bring just as much joy and laughter to our home. Stream Man vs. Bee on Netflix.