Let's Discuss: Lisa Ling's Twin Documentary on OWN

amanda31H

I'm so glad Haven posted about it.  I recorded it last night and watched while I folded laundry this afternoon. 

Anyone else cry during most of it?  It wasn't just the brothers where one had cancer, just so many things during that documentary made me emotional.

I certaintly don't think it did anything to negate the ID twin stereotypes.  But like Lisa Ling said, since the documentary was based around a twin festival (it seemed like and ID twin festival, though she never said that), you'd only meet twins who were enthusiastic about being twins.  I was interested and hoping to see if they showed some ID twins that fought melding into one person - were they happy, how early did they differentiate themselves, how much did their parents play a role in that, etc...

That part I found disturbing were the women in the gray dresses on the couch in the beginning (just quick interviews not part of the stories) who said they didn't need to get married because they have each other.    I can't imagine one of my girls missing out on something as awesome as marriage simply because they have an amazing bond with each other.

Also - the girl twins and boy twins who dated but matched up because of birth order??!!!  The boy twins said it like it was a known thing to do in twin society or something- weird!!!

As a side note- why does Lisa Ling always have to sound so ominous?

There were a few things in that documentary that made me cringe...but at the same time, I was reminded how thankful I am that my girls have each other and that I am priveleged enough to witness that bond, be a part of it at some level, and try to help cultivate it at these early years.

What did everyone else think?

kimarino13

I HATED IT!

It was negative and creepy and depressing.  Her voice, the music, that Twin Convention... ugh.

And really with the girls who dress alike, jewelry and all, at 24?  And refuse to do anything apart ever?  And the 50 year old women who call each other "sis" so they have the same name even.  And wear "wedding bands" representing their bond or whatever.

Ugh.  It was just bad.

politelypink

I found it a touch creepy. I wish she also went into twins that weren't obsessed with being the same. There was a bit too much sameness for me.

marisuz28

I missed it.  Do you know if they are going to re-air it at all?  Even though it sounds kinda strange, I'd still like to see it...

amanda31H

kimarino13:

I HATED IT!

It was negative and creepy and depressing.  Her voice, the music, that Twin Convention... ugh.

And really with the girls who dress alike, jewelry and all, at 24?  And refuse to do anything apart ever?  And the 50 year old women who call each other "sis" so they have the same name even.  And wear "wedding bands" representing their bond or whatever.

Ugh.  It was just bad.

If she didn't have the brothers with cancer, or the ones separated when they were young, I would probably have turned it off.

The brothers had such a sweet bond, that also seemed very normal.  I really appreciated that, though it was painful to watch the one suffer. 

I found the twins who were separated to be fascinating, including the nature vs. nurture study - I wish they'd taken more time with that, but then again I'm a nerd!

I forgot to mention the music!  That PLUS her voice was sooo ominous!!!

lmydogally

kimarino13:

I HATED IT!

It was negative and creepy and depressing.  Her voice, the music, that Twin Convention... ugh.

And really with the girls who dress alike, jewelry and all, at 24?  And refuse to do anything apart ever?  And the 50 year old women who call each other "sis" so they have the same name even.  And wear "wedding bands" representing their bond or whatever.

Ugh.  It was just bad.

 

All of this.  My sisters were ID and craved being their own person and had their own interest and ideas.  It really wigged me out that some of these twins acted like they couldn't survive without the other twin.  

One of my twin sisters died in a car accident and the other twin has had a horrible 10 years being without the other.  I can't even imagine how even more horrible it would be if they had been like some of the twins on this show.  

amanda31H

kimarino13:

And really with the girls who dress alike, jewelry and all, at 24?  And refuse to do anything apart ever? 

These two specifically mentioned that their parents put them in EVERYTHING together.  Including same classes at school, etc.  Anyone else formulate a new opinion on doing this by watching them?  I did.  I could see benefits from both sides before, but now I'm pretty firm that they will be in separate classes.

JesseKhloe&Me

Now I'm curious. I want to watch it... lol

MamaCrystal

I didn't enjoy it at all, which seems to be the overall feeling of other twin moms I've talked with about it.  I was actually thinking of writing to the show and telling them how disappointing it was : (

JosiePosy

I didn't see it, but my SILs are ID and very different. They are very close, but very different people. I hope my girls end up the same way. I want them to explore their own interests. 

sfshawna

I saw it and I was disappointed. (And yes, I love Lisa Ling, but her narration is annoyingly ominous when it doesn't need to be). I'm an identical twin and my girls are ID too. I was hoping the show would focus on how twins develop their own identity, instead of just showcasing the freaky side of being a twin. I CAN NOT imagine ever dressing identical to my sister at this point in my life, much less attending that convention. It's just so sad to see so many people stuck in that dynamic with their twin. And, the twins dating the twins----so, so weird!!

mrsg052904

Aside from the twins separated as babies and the male twins (one had cancer), I thought everyone else was coo coo for cocoa puffs!  Especially the 50 year old twins.  Oh my gosh.  Seriously?!?! The one said, "quit your job because we are going to school to become teachers!"  And the other twin quit to become a teacher?  A little nutty! 

amanda31H

mrsg052904:

Aside from the twins separated as babies and the male twins (one had cancer), I thought everyone else was coo coo for cocoa puffs!  Especially the 50 year old twins.  Oh my gosh.  Seriously?!?! The one said, "quit your job because we are going to school to become teachers!"  And the other twin quit to become a teacher?  A little nutty! 

Oh god, oh god, I forgot to mention that too!  THAT and the ones who said they didn't need to get married were most disturbing.

Aghghgh.  I just kept trying to focus on the brothers and the ones that were separated, because everything else was so weird.  My sister stopped by tonight (she taped it also) and goes "ummmmmm" - I had to interrupt her right away and say "yes, it was creepy."  Hahahahhah. 

Haven1

I thought it was so interesting. Agreed about Lisa's narration. Relax, Lisa. The twin with cancer made me cry when he said he told the doctor he had a twin brother. "Spare parts" - ha! Most of the twins were pretty creepy. If nothing else, it's a vote against naming your twins matchy name and dressing them alike forever.

Kimmy08

I cringed every time when the two older twins were talking during an interview. They were trying WAY to hard to finish each others sentences and make it seem like they were one person.

I also thought it was quite odd about dating twins in the same birth order. Heck, dating another set of ID twins is weird enough to me.