Penelope

Bottom line, if you cannot remember which specific Y2K bash you attended -- because technically you did not yet exist in 1999 -- then this series may possibly be your cup of tea. The PR package, and the very short duration of each episode, make it crystal clear that this series is intended for tweens. Adults watch entirely at their own risk. The episodes are highly targeted for the less cynically minded. In E01, a young teen packs a survival bag and heads for the woods. With no proper explanation. She is not kidding. Nor are the writers. With no prior skils or experience, she plans to sort it all out only once she is right in the thick of things. Luckily for her, everything that happens from that point forward would not be out of place in a Disney series from the 1960s. Kindly strangers appear with gifts, and impart know-how. Forest creatures befriend her. A wandering group of boys, who at first appear sinister, turn out to be Bible students. Turns out that living in the wild is as easy as falling off a log. Literally. Any viewer with an ounce of real-life-exerpience will find Penelope's adventures remarkably naive. Younger viewers however may be entranced. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

It is to believe in a world where a young girl lives in the forest alone without terrible things happening. Who meets only wonderful people and manages to survive only on what the forest gives her.

We have become so used to violence that at any given minute we expect something to exhaust her and hurt her. Also the fact that she chose to make the journey not because of escape bad situation or violent parents is difficult. Why would she do that? Her wonderful journey for me is to return to believing in the goodness of man.

And I find it almost magical in the posibility that this world and forest that bring only the good of mankind exist.

I pray it does.

I am male and getting long in the tooth but I enjoyed this series very much. Other reviewers have focused upon whether it is realistic or not - this question did not intrude on my enjoyment.

Firstly, it is thoughtful and beautiful to look at. It takes some nerve these days to offer a slow narrative but this is all the better for it. There are a lot of things left unsaid which is a joy when most series these days spoonfeed the audience. We never truly know why Penelope heads off - she does not know why herself. But whatever is driving her is something we can probably all relate to - wanting a place to belong. The script is meagre but Megan Stott is very believable and does a great job. The directing, music and pace of the series are all excellent and I was pleased that there is much left unresolved at the end to me, this seems very realistic.

I thought the sounds and scenery of the movie was great from the wilderness to the small town. Reminds me of a not giving up type of message when giving up is so easy. I thought the ending was good. I really enjoyed and couldn't stop watching; I binged it in one short sitting. The episodes go fast and end well in a great place and the next episode picks right back up. I highly recommend this for teenagers and parents. I hope there is another season planned. The acting by the lead actor steals the show every episode. The supporting cast is great as well. Definitely a nice change of pace. If you want believable maybe this doesn't fill that void but if you want to know your place in the world and thinking what life is supposed to be then this is a great show.

The actress made you feel her connection to nature. The trees and forest were the supporting cast. It is a beautiful portrayal of a young woman trying to find her own mental peace and stability through nature. I loved everything about this show. Her interaction with the forest and learning to live with nature and survive all while trying to figure out her emotional stability was beautifully captured.

This actress was able to make you feel her various levels of emotions throughout this journey. I don't want to get into specifics and give away the details of the end but she made you feel her emotional growth through the season.