By Kathleen Huynh
Rating: 4/5
“Grand Army,” a Netflix original series, was released on Oct. 16, 2020. The show is loosely based on Katie Cappiello’s ‘Slut: The Play’ and follows five Brooklyn teens as they struggle to keep afloat amidst the drama in their lives. Heavy topics are touched upon as “Grand Army” includes depictions of sexual assault, violence, and substance abuse.
The diverse cast of “Grand Army” drew me to the show. The portrayal of various races, socioeconomic statuses, and sexual orientations brought a modern and relevant feel to the show. The only common ground between the five protagonists is the school they attend, Grand Army. The characters have their own unique conflicts, ranging from sexual assault, to identity crises, to poverty, and on top of that, the universal struggles of being a teenager. Even with balancing a wide range of topics, personalities, and characters, “Grand Army” was well-written. The writers did a good job of honoring each character by giving them enough screen time and character development.
All of the actors and actresses did a fantastic job portraying their respective roles. They all made me want to scream, either in frustration or in joy. The two standout performances came from Odessa A’Zion, who plays Joey Del Marco, and Odley Jean, who plays Dominique “Dom” Pierre. A’Zion’s portrayal of Joey was stellar. Joey’s downward spiral from being an outspoken feminist to a reclusive sexual assault survivor is captivating and raw. Her weary eyes and skittish behavior provide a haunting look into the trauma that survivors live with. Similarly, Jean’s performance as Dom perfectly captures the dichotomy that several teenagers face—being both a dependable breadwinner and an awkward teenager navigating relationships. As a Haitian-American herself, Jean seamlessly slipped between acting in English at school and Haitian Creole at home. Although Dom is Jean’s first role, she was able to hold her own as a versatile and strong actress.
What separates “Grand Army” from other teen dramas is the immense realism. Many of the reactions and exchanges between characters mirror the vernacular that I would hear on campus. However, the characters do not exhibit exemplary behavior. Several characters use illegal substances both for coping with stress and for recreational purposes. A more major offense is the problematic actions of Leila Kwan Zimmer (Amalia Yoo). Leila is the youngest of the five protagonists, a freshman, and arguably the most infuriating character in the show. When upperclassman George Wright (Anthony Ippolito) takes an interest in Leila, she is quick to abandon her values and friends to maintain George’s attention. Even though Leila takes a turn for the worst and makes egregious mistakes, her story is still valid. Viewers should not celebrate or emulate bad behavior, but instead they should learn from it. Of course, teenagers make mistakes, so it makes sense for the Grand Army kids to make some lousy choices.
“Grand Army” is neither the first nor the last teen drama, but for what it’s worth, the show brings a refreshing breath to the genre. Its inclusivity, gripping plotline, and uncanny resemblance to real life, make “Grand Army” a worthwhile series.