In the typical life of the busy Ole, I try to watch shows that teach me something. I have watched classic sitcoms, traumatic shows, and all those in between. Sometimes winding down and catching up on Netflix will do the trick to fix a heavy day. It goes without saying that nowadays it is harder to consume quality media without waiting over two years for a new eight-episode season of a show that we like — or a show that we don’t necessarily like, but since everyone is talking about it, it becomes a must-watch. Personally, I enjoy finding good dialogue and a relatable story, and when I discovered “Grand Army” through a reel my friend sent me, I felt like I found an underrated gem that depicts life as it is. When I was 11, I watched “Skins” for the first time and, as a non-American, I thought it was an accurate depiction of teenage life. Now I think it might be just too dramatic, so “Grand Army” is my pick of a genuine slice of life depicting real issues.
“Grand Army” has nine episodes and is set in 2020 in Brooklyn, New York, a little before the pandemic hit the earth and changed our lives forever. It follows high schoolers who are trying to figure out life in the midst of growing up. Normally, I am not into coming-of-age high school setting series. But “Grand Army” makes the focal point of the story different. It makes the audience question their privilege, and put themselves in the context of what it really is to be a part of an affinity group. Nowadays, humans tend to forget movements — events that impacted us to rebel, to march and to fight for basic human rights for those who may have it harder. The show follows Joey (Odessa A’Zion), Sid (Amir Bageria), Dominique (Odley Jean), Jayson (Maliq Johnson), and Leila (Amalia Yoo), following the events of a bomb exploding near their high school, which snowballs into events that impact all of their lives.
Of course, this show is far from perfect. There are several trigger warnings that viewers should be aware of: terrorism, Title IX issues, racism, drugs, profanity, sexism, and violence. It can be on the disturbing side. Personally, I thought the comic book scenes were unnecessary and unpleasant to watch. But trust me when I say that the dialogue is one of the most amazing ones I have ever watched, with Dominique giving an incredible monologue about being a black teenage woman in America that leaves a true impact on the viewer. If you are up for the challenge, “Grand Army” is streaming on Netflix.
