The Only Show I Don’t Mind Being Rebooted Is Hulu’s Unexpected Take on Buddy Comedies
I would never think that two adult women playing their 13-year-old selves in a coming-of-age story could be this relatable.
I love projects that have that nostalgic feel to them. There's something magical about a movie or a show that can transport you back in time. That's why I'm most drawn to 90's and 2000s media. It just feels like home even when watching for the first time. It has the familiarity that brings comfort like nothing else.
That's why when I stumbled upon a modern show that replicated the exact same feeling that I get from watching classics like Clueless and Mean Girls, I immediately was hooked.
PEN15 (2019-2020) Is Different From Every Other Teen Shows
When I first heard about PEN15, I wasn't sure what to expect. Another show about middle school? Haven't we seen enough of those? And what's the hype all about?
Well, all the questions faded away instantly. Within just a few minutes of watching, I felt that familiar tug of nostalgia. It was not the sanitized, sparkly kind (though I can appreciate that too), but the messy, embarrassing, deeply authentic kind that to be honest caught me by surprise.
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Set in the good old year 2000, PEN15 follows two seventh-graders Maya and Anna, navigating the treacherous waters of middle school. And while the rest of the cast is mostly made up of actual teenagers, Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle (both in their thirties) play their 13-year-old selves.
Now I don't know about you, but if you asked me to relive my 13-year-old self, I would just start nervously nodding and slowly walking away. But Erskine and Konkle do exactly that. And they do it with a great commitment and vulnerability. Their adult perspectives actually add layers to those cringe-worthy teenage moments we all tried to forget.
PEN15 Reboot Would Literally Save Me
The only problem I have with PEN15 is its short run. Two seasons for a show this good?! That’s just cruel!
When news broke that the second season would be the show's last, fans (myself included) were devastated. In an interview to Deadline, Erskine's revealed that she was surprised by this reaction, saying:
"No, I didn’t [expect this reaction]. I think I felt profound sadness, too, even though it was our decision. Then, to hear other people be sad about it, just amplified how we felt about it."
Where Can You Watch PEN15 Right Now
I still can't help but think about how rare it is for a show to create such a deep connection with its audience. PEN15 managed to turn our collective middle school trauma into something we could laugh about together, and for that I am forever grateful.
You can catch PEN15 on Hulu, Fandango at Home, Google Play, Amazon Video, or Apple TV+. You've never seen anything quite like it, and that's exactly what makes it so special.
