Picture this: it’s Friday night, and it’s been a long week. All you want to do is sit on the couch and watch a good television show. There’s just one problem: nothing looks appealing. You’ve scrolled to the end of every streaming service you own, and repeated the process, until eventually resorting to going to bed.
Unfortunately, we’ve all been there. But what if there were a better way? What if there was a series of articles that recommended shows for you, varying in genres? Look no further! Introducing “Finding Shows So You Don’t Have To,” a series here on The Weekly Talon where our team of writers will recommend a new series for you to lessen the time spent on the infinite scroll.
Teen Angst Meets Superpowers: Why You Should Watch ‘I Am Not Okay With This’
“I Am Not Okay With This,” a Netflix Original series, is a coming-of-age drama based on the comic by Charles Foreman. The show, released in 2020, follows the story of Sydney Novak (Sophia Lillis), a 17-year-old high school student with a troubled past. As she struggles to process the death of her father, care for her family, and navigate various social situations, her emotions start to manifest as psychic powers. With each of the seven episodes, increasingly strange incidents occur concerning Sydney’s emotions, leading up to a cliffhanger that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.
In the interest of full disclosure, it’s important to note that, unfortunately, this cliffhanger is never resolved. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “I Am Not Okay With This” was canceled only after season one. While this can be a dealbreaker for some, there are still aspects of the show that have value in themselves, even if they’re not entirely seen through.
For example, many movies and television series tend to mishandle the plot when it involves LGBTQ+ themes. However, “I Am Not Okay With This” manages to balance these themes effectively within the story. When Sydney is revealed to be bisexual, this detail doesn’t make up her entire character arc. Rather, her sexuality is briefly mentioned. This allows the plot to continue progressing in a slightly different light while staying on track with the story.
In contrast, Sydney’s struggles with grief, anger, and social discomfort do the opposite: they are exaggerated. Sydney’s emotions manifest as psychic powers, rather than being briefly mentioned. For example, the first episode features a scene where Sydney is jealous of another character. As her jealousy increases, the character’s nose begins to bleed. By materializing this emotion into a physical problem, it emphasizes the silent power hidden beneath jealousy, which can be validating for some viewers.
So, despite the abrupt ending, there is certainly value in watching “I Am Not Okay With This.” The moderate LGBTQ+ representation, emotional emphasis, and plot itself are quick to draw in the viewer, giving them an entertaining series to end the evening with. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
