The Best and Worst: Show Edition
BY ALANIS MELENDEZ — Staff Writer
Netflix’s fan-favorite series, Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, On My Block, and Ginny and Georgia have been awarded with praise and their popularity is often recognized on Netflix’s Top 10 list. However, their popularity does not mean each episode received five star ratings. The shows’ best and worst first season episodes will be judged on plot, character likeability, and manner of addressing sensitive topics.
BEWARE SPOILERS AHEAD!
Worst: Granted, while it was only the third episode of the first season in Stranger Things, “Chapter Three: Holly Jolly” still lacked in captivating the audience’s attention. The episode contained an appalling amount of unnecessary montages that wasted 8 minutes of screen time. Notably, the montages did not drive or flatter the plot in any way. The plot was hyper-focused on building tension throughout the episode; however, the slowburn of anticipation wasn’t enough for audiences to stick around for the climax.
Best: “The Bathtub” was a Stranger Things’ episode at its finest, as it showcased a spectacular plot filled with tension, excitement, and action. The main characters were finally on the same page and began working together to stop Hawkins Lab. The show’s special effects were impeccabile as the character Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, telepathically flipped a vehicle over her and her friends’ heads during a high speed car chase. The storytelling was well written and didn’t feel rushed, nor was it too packed with forgettable information.
Worst: In Nickelodeon’s hit TV show, Avatar: The Last Airbender, the worst episode was “The Great Divide” by far, as the plot lacked substance. In particular, the episode concentrated on the opposing clans, Gan Jins and Zhangs. Each clan was both equally annoying and senseless, as they instigated problems throughout the episode out of baseless assumptions and pride. Even as a filler episode, “The Great Divide” lacked interesting characters; yet, their only use seemed to be to divide our favorite main characters, Sokka and Katara. As a viewer I was unamused with this episode, as it did nothing to develop the plot of characters.
Best: Once Avatar: The Last Airbender’s season one climax was reached, the animation was more refined. During the last episode, “The Siege of The North: Part 2,” the moon spirit was killed by Zhao, a fire nation general; black and white hues colored the screen, creating depth to the situation, as the lack of colors represented the death of the moon spirit. Despite the lack of color in the scene, the animation of Princess Yue’s vibrant blue eyes foreshadowed her heroic sacrifice that would follow later on in the episode. The visuals and their symbolism were incredible for a season finally; despite how old the show is, the animation is truly a timeless and impactful work of art.
Worst: Netflix’s On My Block’s sixth episode, “Chapter Six,” was by far the worst episode in the entire season. The show depicts an ethnically diverse group of friends, however viewers were surprised when Olivia, a Hispanic written character, butchers a rant meant to be spoken in Spanish. Once the episode aired, Ronnie Hawk, the actress playing Olivia, received backlash for playing a Latina role as a white woman. The episode was offensive and did not represent the values of the show.
Best: On My Block’s “Chapter Four” began with an upbeat soundtrack that continued throughout the episode. The audience saw the characters kickback with normal problems, well as normal as it can get in a drama series. The Halloween themed episode addressed important topics, such as harmful and racist stereotypes targeting Hispanics. Despite the hard-hitting topic, the show was upbeat and treated the situation with class.
Worst: Even though Netflix’s Topped Watched list features Ginny and Georgia, “Happy Sweet Sixteen” does not shy away from cringy scenes, like Hunter’s public tap-dancing performance. As far as character personality, Ginny’s attitude throughout the episode was enough to make it unwatchable. Ginny’s teenage angst and lack of respect towards her mother seemed to be a millennial’s inaccurate portrayal of unrelatable and over-dramatic teenagers. The portrayal of stereotypical 16 year old behavior marked this episode down for the worst one in the series.
Best: Despite the unrealistic representation of teenagers, Ginny and Georgia’s third episode was impactful. It gave depth to much needed side characters, Abby and Marcus, and allowed the audience to sympathize and understand them. Furthermore, the episode demonstrated a common struggle for African Americans with textured hair. Specifically, when an uneducated hairstylist dry brushes Ginny’s curly hair, Ginny is left feeling embarrassed and misunderstood. The episode addressed sensitive topics in a mature and careful manner, which swiftly allowed this episode to be branded the best episode of season one.
Honorable mention goes out to Ginny and Georgia’s episode eight, “Check One, Check Other.” The episode allowed for more sensitive topics to be addressed. For example, a class assignment leads to a heated argument between Hunter and Ginny, on the subject of oppression and the struggles of being biracial. The scene opened a new conversation both in the show and with the audience. Personally, the scene was impactful because it forced me to think from a different person’s perspective, one with different racial and ethnic backgrounds than mine. From that scene, the lesson of having empathy for others was prominent and memorable.
In spite of the criticisms, Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, On My Block, and Ginny and Georgia were incredibly entertaining to watch. What were your favorite, or least favorite, episodes?
