Series #80: Cruel Summer S1 Thoughts

Hey There!

I know I just wrote about how Grownish wasn’t fulfilling my need for a new mystery drama, but I did not think I was going to find a replacement so soon! I want to talk about the series, Cruel Summer.

Cruel Summer follows a cast of characters throughout a period of three years from 1993 to 1995. The story bounces back and forth between these years as it tells the story of a kidnapped girl and the girl who is accused of knowing she was kidnapped and not alerting the police.

The show starts with an introduction of our two main characters, Katie Wallis, and Jeanette Turner. Jeanette is in her ugly duckling stage and just wants to start high school off with a bang. She and her two friends Vince and Mallory create a list of things to accomplish this summer which includes a prank, and a few things that could land them in trouble.

Meanwhile Kate Wallis, is the resident IT girl and Jeanette just wants to be her friend. Kate has the “best life” she lives in a big mansion, she has a boyfriend who loves her and she is always surrounded by people who love and adore her.

One day, Kate doesn’t come home. Her parents submit a missing person‘s report and then the story really takes off. The first season contains 10 episodes as we explore what happens to Kate, and how it involves Jeanette and how they’ll figure out who is actually telling the truth.

Here are three things I liked about Cruel Summer.

One of things I liked about this series was that there wasn‘t anyone who you really liked. Personally for me the only characters that didn’t have anything against them was Derek, Vincent, and Ben.

I think just because the subject matter is so serious and hard to find humorous that it was difficult to be on anyone’s side. Because you have to either be on the side that Kate is lying about seeing Jeanette while she was kidnapped, or you have to be on the side of Jeanette, in which case you think a kidnapped and abused missing girl who frees herself from capture is lying. Which is harsh in so many ways.

I was also very enthralled in the suspense and mystery of it. How did Kate escape? Did Jeanette see her? If not Jeanette who did? Did Jeanette really try to take over her life? Or were her friends just not that great to begin with?

Also the character building in this show is fantastic! Every character blossomed right before your eyes, whether it was a healthy way or even good is up to interpretation, but there wasn’t a single character in the primary cast that you weren’t familiar with by the end of the season. You learned about each character, and you learned what made them tick, which I love in a mystery.

I finished the season a couple of days ago and recently learned that Cruel Summer was purchased for a second season, so I’m excited to see what and who they will explore in the next season. Will it even have the same cast?

Have you seen Cruel Summer? What did you think?

Until Next Time,

Moriartie

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