Grand Army

I really don't understand the low rating of this show, all the hate comes from closed minded people who hate change and representation. This is a great show with a diverse cast and a great story. It's one of the most authentic portayals of modern high school life I've seen in the media without the kids being overly sexualized or drugged up. It's raw and real and the acting is phenomenal. The "woke" moments don't seemed forced or like they were written by old white men. highly recommend the show!!

Let me start by saying I am probably not the target audience as a non-American woman in her early 30s. I was expecting some mediocre teen drama as Netflix is getting (in)famous for, but this show is a lot better than the average show on this streaming service. Although I am expecting a lot of backlash on this series because it deals with racism and the cast is very diverse, I don't think that's fair.

The characters seem very realistic and the issues that are portrayed seem in touch with what it is like to be a teenager right now. Some topics are handled a bit too superficially, but I guess we can't have it all. Hopefully Netflix gives us a second season to answer some of the questions left after the finale.

A show that correctly reflects the real life adolescent experience is something I've been looking for and this show is IT! The design, writing, depth and more had me hooked from the very beginning. I highly recommend it.

It starts off a little slow but picks up through the episodes. It's a good representation of teenage life, the characters actually look and act their age. The teens also wear real/normal clothes instead of couture or outfits a 25yr old would wear clubbing. The storylines are engaging. Not as gripping or as much drama as say, Euphoria but very relatable ...Teens do drugs, are mean, insecure, have sex, have crushes, have fun, party, are trying to discover themselves and find their place in the world, all the while doing stupid sh** sometimes...that's this show.

Without giving too much away I liked the way consent, impact and agency are explored, its very much real but not often shown this way on screen. We tend to be shown extremes.

Also, this show is not "BLM crap" ignore that review. Not that it should be an issue but BLM barely comes up, it's given about 5 mins of screen time - a subtle subplot that crops up occasionally alongside other storylines, but is by no means dominant or even a storyline I even noticed until trying to understand what the triggered review was about. I'd say in terms of general themes, sex and belonging dominate this show more than anything. This show is contextual, current and has varied storylines. There are a diverse range of characters of varying heritage, developing different subplots. To be honest this is what Brooklyn looks like in 2020. There are white people, black people, brown people, East Asian people, Jewish people, Muslim people, wealthy people and poorer people, and they all have problems. This show has all the diversity without the Disney style cheese, it's as real as it gets for an American high school. Enjoy it for what it is, Teens in Brooklyn growing up in 2020.

It should be clear that-given the show's controversial topics-it will be subject to harsh criticism, as well as affirming support. Personally, I enjoy narratives that aren't sugar-coated. This is a real and raw look at adolescence from a modern student's point of view. Yes, there may be cliches, but the story overall feels fresh and original. I read a review that attacked the legitimacy and safety of public education. While there are cases that may dignify this opinion, most people don't have the means to attend private institutions. Instead of simply denouncing government run education, fight to improve it. No system is perfect, which is why it will take a cumulative effort to create necessary change. It sounds simplistic, but if this show highlights anything, it's that this generation will lead the charge to change the antiquated and divisive ideals that have plagued this nation since its inception. Stand tall and "FREE THE NIPPLES!"