Year Of

Based on the promos, I thought this show would be too teen-focused for me, but I gave it a go anyway since it'a Australian and, after four episodes, have been pleasantly surprised. Being a lot older than the teens in the show, at first I was a bit nonplussed by their relentless and sometimes destructive energy. But after a couple of episodes they start to grow on you as you get to know them.

I'm up to episode four and am not entirely sure where the story is headed but it's fun to follow along and see what happens, without being tied down by expectations of a specific plot style. It has some very touching moments interspersed with funny bits, as well as some quite confronting scenes.

Although it's set at the same fictional high school as Bump, it doesn't seem to be a spin-off, as I could only detect one common character - and that a minor one. I think it benefits from that, as spin-offs rarely succeed, being constrained by what has gone before, and the expectations of watchers of the previous show.

Overall, so far good entertainment and looking forward to finding out what happens next.

I find it best to space out the viewings on this one rather than binge them. It gives it time to sink in.

But the episodes are quite short (which I also like), so two at a time works for me.

To me this is like an aussie heartstopper but maybe less wholesome haha (although it is still suprisingly wholesome for quite an edgy show)

you basically follow a group of teenager kids before and after an event (i won't say what because spoiler's!!) and see them grow and just basically being normal teens, which i think is so rare in tv shows these days when everything's always trying to be so dramatic. These are very unique character's and felt to me like they were real people. (My favorite was Gus haha iykyk)

As someone who know's what its like to sometimes not to know who you are or trying figure it out when it feels like the world is burning around you, this is a show that touches on those kinds of themes in a fresh and interesting way.

However i will say some of the parent story line's were maybe less interesting as i wanted to spend more time with the teens, but maybe that's just me.

Show beautifully captures the essence of growing up in Australia. A world where the side-swiping complexities of coming of age unfold among a diverse group of students and adults. From tear-jerking lows into giddying highs.

Genuine and relatable. Great writing makes for wry chuckling amongst the darker moments, and a salty aftertaste amongst the brighter ones. Lovable cast bring depth and authenticity to their characters.

Year Of is a time capsule of modern Australian youth, well done Stan for comissioning some great local content. Looking forward to more of the same.

Didn't want it to end!

Like Bump this show has so much heart. I found the characters were quite subtle and well drawn and all the young actors although inexperienced, really made it watchable. I teach kids and there were so many moments that rang true. I laughed out loud so many times.

Life can get so complicated for kids and the pressure on them to work, study and keep it all together, especially when they're living half of their lives online, can be immense. This show tackles all that pretty gracefully. It reminded me of some of the best moments of Heartbreak High which was a must watch for me in the 90s

Would highly recommended watching it with your older teenagers as there are some confronting issues, although these are sensitively handled.

I can see what they are trying to do but it just doesn't quite get there IMHO. At points I've grappled with whether what's happening is a realistic depiction but then again who am I to judge.....overall I enjoyed watching it enough but it isn't groundbreaking. I do feel they capture the struggles and flightyness (sp?) of teens yet teen dramas have been done a lot so yeah the bar is high (and also it is a pastime of mine to critique fodder like this haha). First impressions: teens on drugs partying meh seen it before, I was almost not going to watch beyond ep 1.... Then it gets heavier and then I was like am I in the mood for this downer content? Alas I watched on.... Now I've watched the whole first series. Yeah I'll forget it but I'll probably still tune in to S02 if/when it comes around.