Hulu Series TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS based on Cheryl Strayed's Writings

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS is based on Cheryl Strayed's writings and her advice column, "Dear Sugar".  Stayed's column was made into a one act play at the Public Theater in NYC.  I had the pleasure of seeing this intelligent play which brought life to the sensitive and eloquent responses Stayed offered those who turned to her for guidance.  The play showed Strayed's chaotic household from which she managed to find time devoted to answering letter writers with self-reflection and soul searching empathy.  The pensive consideration she provides those overwhelmed by grief, dealing with infidelity or stymied in making life altering decisions is profound.  Her responses resonates with wisdom and compassion.  The series airing on Hulu also benefits from the jewels found amongst her replies but are buried underneath mounds of melodrama portraying Stayed's self-destructive behaviors as a young adult and as a grown woman with  problems in her marriage, with her daughter and at work.  The talented actress Katherine Hahn plays Clare a.k.a. Sugar, in her 40s as intense, irrepressible and her own worst enemy.  The smart casting also includes Sarah Pidgeon as Clare in her 20s, Merritt Wever as Clare's mom, Quentin Flair as her estranged spouse.  The poignancy of the concern Clare shares with strangers is mangled amongst the disasters that surround Clare in her life wrought upon herself by her impulsive behaviors.  Fans of shows like "This Is Us" may find the past / present juxtapositions of family dramas appealing entertainment.  I found the exaggerated chaos burdensome while waiting for the winsome rejoinders to real life altering dilemmas.  The lyrical, heartfelt comfort gently lingers on after the show.  "Be brave enough to let your heart be broken."  she offers.  Clare encourages us to trust our inner selves.  "The voice inside of you telling you to go is enough."  The need to appeal to a mass audience with a soap opera comedy/drama does a disservice to the kernels of inspiration and solace available from Sugar's articulate answers.  The producers should've gleaned from Stayed's innermost musings that less is more.  "Life is the  great unknown unfolding, allow yourself to accept the tiny beautiful things life has to offer."