Grand Army

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.

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.

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!"

Grand Army does a great job at capturing reality, from the characters to the themes tackled. While watching, I felt like I had met the characters in my highschool years; they weren't stereotypes, but well-rounded, real and raw... nothing like the 30 year-old hotties we've become so used to. As for the themes tackled, the series does not shy away from serious topics and approaches them from a diverse point of view, without romanticizing them or using them for melodrama. It might not be for everyone, but I do appreciate the series' effort to give all teenagers something or someone to relate to.

Considering the diverse storylines this series is so on point, well balanced and showen by very good, mostly fresh, young and thankfully natural looking actors; on top of it with great animation parts.

The covered topics are (in no particular order): adolescence, school and education system, social system, justice system, (first) love, (first) sex, hetero-homo-bi-sexuality, feminism, terrorism, rape, immigration, racism...

Of course everything is shown from the US-American perspective. Nevertheless many topics are international and surely relatable in one or another way for many viewers.

Don't want to spoil anything, but especially one controversial rape scene beside other important topics seems to devide viewers already. And this again shows the struggle of many countries societies, not only the USA, to cope with sensitive subjects like this in an appropriate and reasonable way.

Regarding this the rating by demographic on IMDB (current average 6,3) is very interesting: some, or better said for sure too many men and even women still might need to learn a lot about the difference between consensual sex and rape.

Finally to all the "this is woke and pc bs" h/raters: fortunately your twisted perception will die out slowly but steadily... at least this is what the statistics show too ;)

Cheers!