BLISS RATING: ★★★★
“For it was not my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed but my soul.” – randy’s book bag reviews
For me, this third season was such a vast improvement over the second season. With the second one being such a let-down for me, this one is surprisingly poignant and serious. It tackles several emotional issues facing adolescents growing up. Some of them are quite serious. The series also equalized issues that the other couples were facing besides the ones Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Nick Conner) were facing.
There was a peripheral realization that Charlie had an eating disorder in Season Two but here it is fully dealt with. Charlie finally comes to the self-understanding that he has an eating disorder. He cannot hide behind the words, “I am fine” any longer. Finally, with the help and support from Nick, Charlie is hospitalized where he is diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. A heavy-duty diagnosis for someone so young and one typically not associated with males. To compound his recovery, Charlie also needs to react to his overprotective but sincerely worried mother. At times not fully understanding the other.
Meanwhile, Tao (Willian Gao and Elle (Yasmin Finney) must also navigate their own issues in dealing with trying to maintain their relationship without smothering each other and being able to charter their own paths to who they are as individuals.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? While the primary characters are Charlie and Nick, this is an ensemble cast and given that this is the third season, these performers are clicking like a well-oiled machine. They have all settled into their roles with comfort and ease. Jennifer Walser as Charlie’s older sister, Tori is so pivotal to Charlie’s recovery and support while still maintaining an air of weirdness around her. She is such an enigmatic figure, but is becoming more human. However, who is center stage in this series (besides the main characters) is Isaac (Tobie Donovan). Quiet. Bookish. Always peripheral, yet in this season he is more visible. He is part of the group; yet not of the group. He remains isolated, partly by choice, partly by design. He says he is asexual and aromantic. Yet he seeks to want to be a part of the camaraderie of the group and gives every appearance of enjoying the human touch and warmth of the group. He does at times come across as lonely and longing for something more. But he also gives the impression of being content for the moment. Misunderstood? Perhaps. I do hope we get to see him become a more active member of the human race rather than a fledgling figure always on the peripheral.
Without giving too much away, Charlie and Nick finally consummate their relationship. In the end, we also finally get to see Charlie with his shirt off. The final test of his fears and the bridge to his recovery of letting go of his vulnerabilities and insecurities and fears. It is quite a magical moment. One representing a significant milestone for growth in both Charlie and Nick.
This series displays a real breakthrough in presenting today’s youth in a more realistic fashion. While still sanitized, it is a step in the right direction to having the world see problems perhaps they were unaware existed for today’s youth.
My one issue with this series is its heavy reliance on ‘partying’ and drowning themselves in alcohol. I found that a bit disturbing with no filters and no sense that perhaps that has gone too far. To me, they all seemed a bit young to be wallowing in booze to ‘have a good time’ at such a young age and it just seems sad that this is the only direction to having fun. Every one of the adults ‘clutch their pearls’ so to speak when it comes to sex but have little to say about the free-flowing use of alcohol. While I too was young and succumbed to the lure of alcohol, I also understood early on its dangers and to be so cavalier about its use and overuse is disturbing. They were frankly less cautious with booze than they were with sex. I found that perplexing and honestly scary.
I know this is an ethical issue, but it must be understood that these series are reaching a vast audience with messages, sometime subtly. Awareness of what is happening is essential to how people perceive right and wrong. Nonetheless, this is an entertaining series and a vast improvement over the last one. I understand that there is one more series to go for closure. And honestly, I do think it is time.
As with all things, time marches on…..
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