I just binge watched all 10 episodes of this in, like, a weekend.
I really enjoyed it and think it got stronger as the season went on, both in plotting and characters.
I liked all the main characters in the coterie equally. This is a feat because usually in an ensemble like this there is inevitably a main character or two I could do without. But I liked them all.
I especially liked how the characters got fleshed out and deepened over the course of the series, so that what you saw early on was just the tip. And everybody had their own personal storyline that didn't necessarily revolve around all the rest of the Coterie: Dennis' background and mental state, Davia's relationship with Jeff, Malika's brother and mother, Alice & Sumi and her parents, and Gael and his sister.
It is a hallmark of good writing when the writers are able to create good story that creates an inner life for characters other than the main two.
They even did a good job with the side characters and how they evolved and had POVs like Raj, the head of HR at Mariana's company, and Rebecca. I also liked that the Judge is very layered as well. We even got some good development with his family.
So they managed to pack a lot of character development and story in 13 episodes for a fairly big cast. And nobody really felt neglected.
My favorite episodes were the first visit of the Moms and Davia's re-birthday. As much as I liked some of the workplace drama and all the 'wokeness' it was fun just to have episodes where that was all pushed to the back and just let the characters enjoy each other's company. Davia's birthday episode was really just fun. And I just adore Lena and Stef so I was so happy to see them. Also Teri Polo and Sherri Saum just know those characters so well, they slipped right into them without missing a beat.
Of the two workplace dramas, I liked Mariana's the best. I think of the two, Mariana's travails had the better story trajectory. Callie's is just so earnest and honestly, I just get triggered with the fictionalization of police shootings. It is one thing I wish tv shows would shy away from. I liked Callie's office politics much more than I like the main case. I do like that is has caused a nice intersect between her and Malika but I hope they close that one pretty quickly.
On the romantic front I am glad they brought back Isaac. I thought he and Malika had too much chemistry to jettison. And it keeps her from being defined with just the 'black female activist' character. I was over Bryan very early. He was such a needy whiner. Hated Sumi, so shallow. I hope Joey comes back. She was awesome. Ugh to Jeff. I wonder if they are planning something for Dennis and Davia. Not sure why love triangles with the young ingenue seems to be the norm. I hate that Callie has to choose between Gael and Jamie. As much as I think Gael is hot, I actually really like Jamie with Callie. Gael seems too high maintenance.
And finally, as much as I liked the whole show, I hope it lightens up just a bit when it comes back. I think it touched upon every current social activism topic possible: MeToo, intersectional feminisim, black lives matter, colorism, white privilege, pay disparity, women in the workplace, homelessness, and a whole host of LGBTQ issues, etc. Slow your roll show!
Edited April 15, 2019 by DearEvettencG1vNJzZmien6fCrr%2BNqamipZWptq6x0WeaqKVfqbyxtcJob3JvYml6tLHArKanZWFisaq%2Fwq6qrKGfo3yxrcaeZm5n