Everything Sucks! Review: That’s a Wrap (Season 1 Episodes 6-10)

Okay, so there is no reference to The X-Files on Everything Sucks!, but I’m not even mad. (I said I was going to be in my review of the first half.) To tell you the truth, I barely notice; I am so wrapped up in these kids’ lives and their student film, that I easily forgive this omission.

The second half of Everything Sucks! Season 1 is stronger than the first half, and the first half was pretty strong.

One thing that I liked about the first half was that the show didn’t drag out certain storylines for too long. Teen dramas tend to do this often. The second half seems to even improve upon this aspect as the season progresses.

On Everything Sucks! Season 1 Episode 6, “Sometimes I Hear My Voice,” Luke (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) and Kate (Peyton Kennedy) get into a fight. It’s resolved by the next episode, Everything Sucks! Season 1 Episode 7, “Cheesecake To A Fat Man.”

It’s not just that it’s resolved fairly quickly, it’s that it is resolved believably that is impressive. The first five episodes did a great job of establishing the friendship between Luke and Kate, so the argument at the Tori Amos concert and the following reconciliation feel authentic.

Similarly, the relationship between Luke and Kate’s parents, Sherry (Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako) and Ken (Patch Darragh), is handled well. It’s not prolonged unnecessarily, but it’s also not hurried. This plot hits all the emotional beats it should and does it in a way that is captivating.

The ups and downs are shown through many interactions that take place among the four characters involved and result in some very moving scenes.

On Everything Sucks! Season 1 Episode 7, “Cheesecake To A Fat Man,” Ken is in a great mood because of Sherry. Him dancing around to Deep Blue Something’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is super adorable. Then later on Everything Sucks! Season 1 Episode 9, “My Friends Have Been Eaten By Spiders,” Kate explains to Luke why it means so much to her that her dad is happy.

The scene on the bridge where Kate tells Luke about her mom is gripping. Kennedy nails this. There is such a powerful mix of anger and sadness in Kate’s words.

Kate: I don’t have the luxury of getting mad at my mom over petty bullshit. I just have a dad. And I don’t know what you did to screw up the happiness he found with your mom. I’m so mad at you, Luke. You’re not the only one having a hard time.

Moments like this interspersed with the silliness of high school and the hilarity of the 90s give this teen show depth. It sends meaningful messages without bombarding the viewer with them, and without any after-school special-type absurdity.

The videotape journal that Luke’s dad, Leroy, made has some pearls of wisdom, too. This is an interesting juxtaposition to the not-so-great things that Sherry and Luke have to say about him. It also sets up a compelling dynamic for next season.

I find myself conflicted about Luke’s dad, which is a good thing. In real life, people are rarely all good or all evil. It’s not black and white like that. I can understand his frustrations with his life and his shattered dreams, but I can also dislike and disapprove of his decision to leave.

Leroy: We’re all the heroes of our own story without realizing we’re probably the bad guy in someone else’s.

I love this line. It really can be applied to almost every storyline on the show, and most likely, every viewer can relate to it.

Another profound moment, and what I think is the most important one of the whole show, comes from a scene without dialogue. It is simply Kate seeing a happy, affectionate lesbian couple enjoying the Tori Amos concert. The emotion in Kate’s eyes is really beautiful, and you can see the realization dawn on her that what she has been feeling is not bad nor does it make her a freak.

She sees herself and the possibilities that lie before her. Likewise, any viewer that is struggling in the way that Kate is can see themselves, too. Representation matters. It offers hope.

Everything Sucks! is an artful portrayal of teens going through the trials of growing up. It shows that while, yes, everything does suck, there is also a lot about which to be hopeful.

Stray Observations:

• I miss Oliver. I like how he gifted Tyler his jacket.
• “Looks like someone saw The Craft.”
• Leslie is like the bee in The X-Files: Fight The Future interrupting that kiss. It’s amazing that these two teenagers talk about their almost-kiss maturely and shortly thereafter; and two adult FBI agents wait two more seasons to move forward. Kids are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. (I’m sorry, I have a lot of X-Files feelings as you can see.)
• Luke’s tie has film reels on it. So cute!
• The cliffhanger gives a potential second season a lot to work with. I really hope there is a second season. And, hey, maybe they can get an X-Files reference in for me!

What did you think of the second half of the first season of Everything Sucks!? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Everything Sucks! Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix.

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