Surviving Summer

My husband and I started this show (and finished it) last night, and it was a very cute, feel-good show. I wasn't sure what to expect, as most films I've seen about Australia lately revolve around an American moving there and falling in love with it, so I figured it'd be typical. Yes, it's not a storyline you've never heard before, but the show was well-made and each episode, though only a half hour, felt like a little mini-movie. I hope it gets renewed for a second season, as I'd love to see Summer return to Australia! (Or maybe...Ari visit New York?? It does have a beach...)

By the fourth episode most main characters, in this case "Summer" begin to be somewhat likable. Not the case with this lead. She's everything the "ugly American" represents while overseas, in this series, Australia. She's annoying, entitled and a snob. I'm not sure the writers intended it to be this way or if it's the delivery by the lead actress, Sky Katz. Either way she's from New York City and portrays New York teens as those who believe there's no place else in the world except NYC and she's got a smart ass answer for every other character, especially adults.

She gets sent off by her mother to Australia to live with her aunt, uncle and their two kids, because of her bad behavior. The boy, Ari, has had a surfing accident that put him out of surfing for a year. There is the usual teenage drama with a really obnoxious teenage American mixed in. If you can handle the lead actress's character it's worth watching.

For what this show is, i really enjoyed it much more then i thought i would, it was a quick binge on Netflix and kind of hoping for a season 2. Wasn't a crazy amount of drama but there was some, great scenery and beaches, surfing scenes were well done.

A show that revolves around the life of 5 kids during summer, finding who they are, where they fit in, and how to manage life and teen love. A non overly sexualized show, but still manages to experience the teen love, without the extensive substance abuse exposure but still manages to touch on subjects. A clean show for families and teens to enjoy. We enjoyed it.

While no masterpiece, this bit of surf, gorgeous Aussie locations and romantic teen adventures has its moments. There's a feel-good atmosphere behind each episode that is almost more Kiwi than Aussie. Smiles abound and tensions are soon resolved, the condescending moral storytelling so often associated with Hollywood teen efforts nowhere in sight.