Ok treat-a-weekers, this post is not going to be for everyone — action/adventure peeps, sci-fi folks, crime lovers, deep dramatic dive watchers – look away. This post is only for those of us who love the firsts —  first love, first real friendship conflict, first true exploration of oneself/identity…basically teen stuff.  So, the show I am recommending  today is on Netflix and it’s called On My Block.  Each episode is only about 25 minutes long so it is extremely binge-able.    To introduce to the show, I provide herewith excerpts from my texts with one of my best friends from college, Cindy, after she started watching it upon my recommendation:

Cindy: So here are my thoughts on the first episode of On My Block: 1) Do you know how old you are? Too old for this show..2) I am in your husband’s camp on this – 1 star on Rotten Tomatoes (pronounce with a British accent) [NB: I started watching this show with my hubby but he balked after 10 minutes — I told you, this show is not for everyone] 3) Yes, I can see how the character [Monse, the female lead] reminds you of a young me; 4) some parts were very funny; 5) 90 percent of the characters in this gang ridden, low-income neighborhood have a better vocabulary and speak better English than we do – really?; 6) my 13-year-old daughter now likes the show; 7) I too would be making out with Cesar, the young me, I mean.

That said, my daughter and I are now watching episode 2 against my better judgment.

Me: 1) Yes, I know I am 45 but I will always be 18 at heart; 2) yes, vocab is suspect but it’s like Dawson’s Creek; 3) I will not watch with my 13-year-old daughter…too many mature themes for me to pretend she does not know about; 4) yes, all hail Cesar; 5) what about JASMINE????? [best comic relief character on the show]

—NEXT day

Cindy: OMG, we watched 4 episodes, If Monse doesn’t tell the group about her and Cesar, I will go nuts.

Me: I am bingeing now — two more episodes to go until I finish.

END OF TEXT DIALOGUE

So, now that I have peaked your interest about this show, a few more nuggets to get those of you who have stuck with me thus far to consider checking it out.  On My Block is a show about 4 close friends who are entering high school, all minorities, who grow up in a tough neighborhood set in South Central LA.  The show is funny, has heart, a great young romance, a couple of love triangles and includes a Goonies-esque mystery, and a real plot twist that you don’t see coming at the end of the first season. Luckily it has been renewed for a second season because those of us who watched season 1 would revolt without some answers to the last episode.  There are weird characters in the show (eg Jasmine and Ruby’s grandma) but their weirdness is very funny.   I really appreciated a look at teens that was thoughtful and dealt with harsh circumstances without being preachy. Not every teen lives in the beautiful worlds of Dawson’s Creek, the OC and Gossip Girl. On My Block does a great job of illustrating that not only is that okay, but actually, there is a lot of love, light and zest in these teens’ worlds even if they are not wrapped up in shiny picture perfect packages complete with bows on top.

If you watch, do let me know what you think…until next week!

Yours truly,

M