I didn't intend on watching this show when it came out, but after a few months I ended up caving - and I don't regret it. While sex and drugs are not themes I really enjoy, the show handled all of it in a way that showed the good and bad, so it wasn't glorifying them. It was also fairly aesthetic, having colors that popped and camera angles that managed to make all the weird or unlikable moments feel artistic. I liked that shit.
I have no complaints, but I rarely do. Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer) were both beautiful and unique characters that I loved right from the start, and watching them navigate high school drama, and issues far beyond their age made me fall hard for the show.
I would recommend it to young adults in their early 20s, not teenagers who can be too easily influenced, or adults who can be a little more judgemental. But for my age group, I believe this show is perfect.
STOP HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE SHOW
SPOILERS AHEAD
Rue was my favourite character. Even if I agreed with her very little, I can still relate in some ways, like wanting to numb anxiety or relying too much on one person, but the drug addiction, manic episode, and then depressive episode were unlike anything I have personally dealt with. She was also mean to her family at times, and able to harass a drug dealer (who, given, was a friend) for drugs. Still, I couldn't help but love her. She's someone who has known pain, even if lots of it was self inflicted, and seeing her throw herself into relationships and care about people more than she does herself just made me want to protect her. Not to mention how her style, while mocked in the show, is exactly how I'd like to dress.
Now, Jules I could understand even less. The whole season I felt like she was never saying what she really wanted to, as if she was hiding a part of herself from Rue and everyone else, including viewers. I think it was a vulnerable side, not a dark or cruel one. She was so kind and sweet, trusting and innocent, even to a fault. It was nice to see a trans person as a main character, and the story not revolving around them being trans. It might have played a role in her story, but it wasn't the focus, and wasn't even mentioned until a little later on. I just love that.
The other characters didn't touch me in the same way those two did so I'm not going to bother writing about them, but I did enjoy their stories too.
