I’ve never been drawn to college shows the way that series set in high school pull me in. I think it’s probably because the college stereotypes – drinking, partying, sexual experimentation – never seemed as interesting as a base for storytelling as the teen stereotypes – growing pains, sexual discovery, rebellion against the confines set by adults.
Because so much of the narrative and dramatic tension on teen drama comes from the “intrinsic” limits of teendom – curfews, school rules, social hierarchies – limits which we are told will no longer be a problem post-graduation. So I have to wonder what’s left to carry the story once those limits have lifted and young adult characters enter the freedom of college.
Accordingly, it seems inevitable that once teen shows stretch into the post-graduation years of higher education (or in some cases employment) they take a dip. It’s a difficult transition because not only has the situation changed drastically, but (at least theoretically) the show must change thematically as well, to reflect this new stage of life.
So considering all this, I’ve never sought out a college-based show… until one was recommended to me. This came from a trustworthy source, one who’s introduced me to so many great shows including Veronica Mars and Friday Night Lights. I couldn’t really say “no” and so I watched Greek… er, sorry GRΣΣK.
In the beginning I approached the series as I had originally approached Friday Night Lights: wary about a story set in a world completely foreign and strange to me, but optimistic that it might surprise me.
So here are my thoughts on the college show experience:
I thought: Well here’s an advantage over teen shows, all characters are at least 18 which means there is more potential for characters to interact, and there is no reason to maintain a telescopic focus on the original main characters. In theory new people should join every year.
My thinking here was based on a kind of logic, that the reason people (usually) don’t include first years in high school shows is that the difference between 14 and 16 is pretty huge… but of course my reasoning was flawed. This is TV and most TV latches on to main characters with a vice grip, following them through to the bitter-sweet end.
I thought: Perhaps this show will be subversive, exposing the absolute ridiculousness of the greek system/culture it takes as its premise. And here I’m not actually sure what happened. The series never seemed to want to stake a claim, oscillating between sincere exclamations of Greek love and admitted limitations laced with silliness.
Ultimately it seems to land on the side of the Greeks, with its most anti-frat presence coming over to their side by the finale. But this is generally tempered with fun and comedy, which makes the ickiness factor of the system more of an afterthought. The fervency with which Rusty buys into it is almost cartoonish, but he is fiercely rigid in his convictions.
I thought: Rusty will be forced to learn a lesson. You can’t just party all the time and expect to do well in school. School doesn’t owe you. But what he learns is… not balance, exactly, but maybe to set his sights a little lower. To prioritize and put fun and friendship ahead of academic success.
Which isn’t actually a bad message. But it creeps me out a little. Because the way this show approaches nuanced issues is with a fly swatter – smack away the things that bug, relegating alternative choices to the cobwebs of the basement.
I thought: If this is just a show about young people partying and having sex, there’s no way I will enjoy it. But I did. Or at least, mostly. Because it was a comedy-drama that emphasized the comedy. It succeeded in making me care about at least one character, so I wanted to see that person succeed – at life, love, growing up, and moving on.
All the flaws I expected were present: any scene situated in a classroom (rare) was totally unrealistic. It glorified young adult partying, neglecting any alternative lifestyle, or relegating it to judgemental religious extremism. It was soapy, pairing romantic partners with each other’s exes despite a campus full of potential dates (but of course sorority girls only date frat guys and vice versa, so the dating pool os pretty limited.)
But many of these flaws are the same ones that pop up on teen dramas (which I clearly have a soft spot for and a pretty ingrained ability to overlook). So ultimately it comes back to themes, which in the end weren’t all that different. It was coming of age round two. You thought you’d figured it all out, but now when you test it, you’ll realize you’re actually just starting out in life… again.
The situation may have changed, but the themes are there. Growing up, figuring out life and love and friendship, and above all, what to do next.
