Finding new shows to binge watch on Netflix is probably one of my favorite pastimes. Netflix Originals are typically hit-and-miss, but when it comes to coming-of-age stories, Netflix definitely knows how to meet the mark. At first glance, "Everything Sucks!" seems like a cheesy copycat of cult classics like "Freaks and Geeks" and "My So-Called Life." However, "Everything Sucks!" brings a new perspective on the 90s era teenager and I just want to express my love for this show, even if it can be a tad bit on the cheesy side.
"Everything Sucks!" is a show with two protagonists. One is a freshman named Luke O'Neil, an only child who lives with his mother, a flight attendant. She is rarely home, but it is shown that Luke and his mother work as a team and are very close. The second protagonist is Kate Messner, the quiet girl who we soon find out is the principal's daughter.
While these two characters are very different personality-wise, they still make an inspiring team as we watch them grow together throughout the season. Kate definitely became my favorite character in this show and I loved seeing her development throughout this first season. I won't spoil anything for you, but it's something you definitely need to watch.
The secondary characters in this show are just as great as the two protagonists. The group of friends becomes a group of misfits that seem to belong together. The humor that they bring to the main plots of the series helps keep the audience from being too sucked into the drama. There is even some development within the secondary character's lives as well, and I would love for them to come to light more in the second season.
All in all, this show is an easy watch. I managed to watch all of the episodes in the span of one day, but if you're not as dedicated as I am, you can easily watch one episode in a thirty-minute sitting.
This show will bring a lot of the 90s nostalgia back, but it is not completely in your face (with the exception of the first episode.) As the season goes on, the nostalgia seems to take a backseat while the stories of the characters drive the main plot forward. If you like coming of age stories as much as I do, I definitely recommend giving "Everything Sucks!" a watch.
