Netflix series is like a spin-off of The Split and I was surprised to love every minute
Netflix's new comedy series had the feel of a spin-off of The Split and I was surprised to love every minute.
At first, I thought The Four Seasons was actually going to turn out to be more of a White Lotus spoof. Then part way through the opening episode, it seemed to be more in line with The Split: Barcelona. This was a concern. The BBC drama wasn't really for me.
Thankfully, I was wrong on both counts. I had stop myself from binging the entire eight episodes too quickly and was left wanting more.
The Four Seasons follows six friends as they initially head for a relaxing weekend away only to learn that one couple in the group is about to split up. All three couples are completely upended by the news and can't help but examine their own relationships as a result.
Viewers will stay with these friends over the course of a year, as they go on to spend four varied vacations with each other. Witness the ever changing dynamics as old issues and new begin to bubble to the surface.
This group of friends consists of a stacked cast including the series co-creator Tina Fey, Will Forte, Steve Carrell, Superstore's Kerri Kenny-Silver, Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani. There's at least one character for every kind of viewer to empathise with and Domingo once again proves he can handle any role that comes his way like a master.
As the friends are introduced with all suitcases in hand, there is the worry it's reminiscent of a spin-off of something like The Split or even akin to a dreaded US remake of the beloved BBC drama. It's quickly evident that is not the case. Nor does it do it justice to label it a budget or spoof of White Lotus. It's so much more than that.
It's actually remaking a 1981 film of the same name, starring and directed by Alan Alda. It mostly follows the same premise but with sensible and impactful modern updates that not only allows it to stand on its own but enable it to become a successful translation from feature to episodic series.
Two episodes each are reserved for each season of Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter, which prevent any instalment from going by too quickly or overstaying its welcome. The trips the friends take are just as varied, from a trip to their old college to an excursion you could only enjoy in your twenties. It's a good sign that episodes seem to fly by at double speed.
This is a show that is full of wit and memorable moments that are good enough to encourage a second immediate binge through. There's bound to be 30 Rock-style quips I missed and I'm looking forward to watching it all over again.
With a dramatic twist of a finale fitting of any Netflix hit, there is plenty of room for more even more seasons. Like a weekend away with some of the best friends in your life, you still want to spend more time with them, no matter how circumstances in your life drastically change.
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