I didn't really have a problem with the acting; however, the writing was noticeably poor. So, honestly, four stars is probably generous.
When they were trying to give us information about the characters, the way that information was delivered, was very badly done. It would seem like two characters who were supposed to have known each other for years didn't know each other at all. It really feels like these characters were just dropped in this setting and with each other out of nowhere.
Some things were used as plot devices, I get that, but it really highlighted how bad the writing was. The main character had no idea how much money she made? So, she was never curious about that at all?! Come on, she's a teenager! And pretty much everyone on the planet would want to know that!
They had her operate on her boyfriend because no one else was available? Really?? And she's says she can't do that, but ends up having no problem with it at all? What?
The messaging is all wrong here in multiple episodes. Doogie takes her mother's shoes, sells them, and not once did anyone say, "this is wrong because it wasn't your property to do that with." If you are watching this with your kids, that's an important lesson to teach them. And in the season finale, two of her adult colleges encourage her to basically disobey her parents and run away from home off to another country with her boyfriend because it's an important big step in her life - again, she's a MINOR - while a third just says "we'll miss you". That whole episode was entirely messed up.
They have an episode where the parents were favoring their son, and completely not notice the way that effected their daughter, and then in the next episode had the mom spout the line "a mom always knows." Yeah, because she was so on top of things the previous episode.
Oh, and Doogie's boyfriend that she kissed multiple times? Notice how he doesn't look 16? Yeah, he's played by a 24/25 year old. Doogie's actor was 16/17 when this was being filmed. Deeply unsettling to watch.
I'm sure I had other problems with the show while watching, but those were huge things that stuck out. Not a show to watch if you can't help but think critically. A decent show to watch to find out what NOT to say to your kids, but not a show I would want to watch with my children if I had any. If you can shut your brain off and watch, good for you, I wish that had been me.
All in all, another bad Disney live active show (that isn't supposed to seem like it's in front of a live audience), except with a beautiful setting and decent acting by most of the cast that can trick you into thinking it's better than it actually is.
If they get a second season, I hope their writing improves drastically. However, I'm not willing to waste my time watching it to check if they were able to do so.
When they were trying to give us information about the characters, the way that information was delivered, was very badly done. It would seem like two characters who were supposed to have known each other for years didn't know each other at all. It really feels like these characters were just dropped in this setting and with each other out of nowhere.
Some things were used as plot devices, I get that, but it really highlighted how bad the writing was. The main character had no idea how much money she made? So, she was never curious about that at all?! Come on, she's a teenager! And pretty much everyone on the planet would want to know that!
They had her operate on her boyfriend because no one else was available? Really?? And she's says she can't do that, but ends up having no problem with it at all? What?
The messaging is all wrong here in multiple episodes. Doogie takes her mother's shoes, sells them, and not once did anyone say, "this is wrong because it wasn't your property to do that with." If you are watching this with your kids, that's an important lesson to teach them. And in the season finale, two of her adult colleges encourage her to basically disobey her parents and run away from home off to another country with her boyfriend because it's an important big step in her life - again, she's a MINOR - while a third just says "we'll miss you". That whole episode was entirely messed up.
They have an episode where the parents were favoring their son, and completely not notice the way that effected their daughter, and then in the next episode had the mom spout the line "a mom always knows." Yeah, because she was so on top of things the previous episode.
Oh, and Doogie's boyfriend that she kissed multiple times? Notice how he doesn't look 16? Yeah, he's played by a 24/25 year old. Doogie's actor was 16/17 when this was being filmed. Deeply unsettling to watch.
I'm sure I had other problems with the show while watching, but those were huge things that stuck out. Not a show to watch if you can't help but think critically. A decent show to watch to find out what NOT to say to your kids, but not a show I would want to watch with my children if I had any. If you can shut your brain off and watch, good for you, I wish that had been me.
All in all, another bad Disney live active show (that isn't supposed to seem like it's in front of a live audience), except with a beautiful setting and decent acting by most of the cast that can trick you into thinking it's better than it actually is.
If they get a second season, I hope their writing improves drastically. However, I'm not willing to waste my time watching it to check if they were able to do so.