I Lionel

His parents, worn down by the "day to dayness" of raising a large family, can't quite keep him in focus - even when he botches a suicide attempt in front of them, they put it down as an accident

His one ally seems to be his sister-in-law, Kerrin, who took him to the city when he was 10, opening his eyes to the world beyond the 'burbs

Ostracized by his peers ("Lionel, why do you always have to be so-you?"), Lionel confides to Kerrin what he wants to be when he grows up: "myself"

Easier said than done

In a series of humorous and poignant episodes, Lionel comes to understand the cost of remaining an individual in a society that places a premium on fitting in