WATCH THE SEASON HERE
First, the Recap:
Despondency. It is no laughing matter, nothing to ever take lightly, and assuredly something that needs to be addressed more emphatically. When life has struck blows to us that become overwhelming, anyone saying “Oh, just get over it” more than evidently doesn’t remotely comprehend how everyone is impacted differently, much less how we react to it being just as diverse. While we can acknowledge that sometimes we DO make choices NOT to put efforts forth to improve our circumstances, letting it all beat us down, the GENUINE support that’s still needed remains imperative. Period. Stone (Craig Selbrede) faces a harrowing decision–he wants to end it all. Even with his sisters Sara (Julia Watson) and Quill (Kyra Radomsky), best friend Bex (April Valentine), and an unexpected new friend Finn (Alvin Edwards III), who’s battling demons of his own, trying to help, will it be enough for Stone to move ahead rather than cease to exist?
Next, my Mind:
Let’s begin by stating we should NEVER, and this critic does expressly mean NEVER, cast aside the existence of, the affects of, and the overt necessity to address and AID those afflicted by mental health-related issues. Period. While it may remain a fact that the acknowledgement and awareness of said troubles are actually a relatively newer thing in our recent history, even more so since the onset of COVID-19 and the associated psychological traumas it created due to isolation for months on end initially, it is simply a given that it should not be dismissed or go untreated, because like the myriad of forms it takes, the reality of one of its most devastating side-effects–suicide–is likewise an imperative trend that MUST be confronted–and prevented. Hence, this is how I felt the foundational gist of series creator/writer/producer/executive producer/editor Craig Selbrede‘s pans out in the first of three seasons he’s manifested covering the aforementioned themes, doing so with absolutely bold candidness and dramatic impact while managing to incorporate humor into it WITHOUT remotely compromising the deadly serious messages taken on.
Collaborating with writer Liam Gilbey, directors Sonia Forcada, Gavin Matthew, Trey Jordan, Anastasia Brady, Ashley Mazza, and Oscar Santa Fe (the first three of whom also took on executive producing and cinematography duties between them as well) plus producers Ben McWhirter, Damon A. Dunn Jr. (who also edited), Cole Hediger, Maz Taylor, and Kyra Radomsky, the series wastes no time in pressing us directly into the unsteady and unsettled mindset of lead character Stone, an aspiring novelist, and his distinctly potent struggle with believing there’s only one way out of the misery he feels life has come to, despite the efforts of those around him who genuinely care but ALSO want to see him help HIMSELF out of inaction and apathy as well. From the very first episode through to the finale presented that makes up the 8th entry for this inaugural season, it never shies away from its cornerstone premise and the portrait of constant volatility all the characters encounter, with some fighting for life itself, some for their identity, while others (both for good or ill) do everything they can to be the bastions of assistance and hope to those in need.
I never felt that any of this came across as forced or not credible. Quite the opposite, frankly. I really engaged with the characters and was always left wanting to know what comes next as each episode came about while viewing the season. The episode titles even carried a nicely unique but definitively apropos meaning to be explored with the primary thematic aims being conveyed rather than just “being” titles for the sake of titles, their intention veiled or unclear. Speaking of thematic aims, the series is RICH in its journeys in this regard, as throughout the season, we’re patching into depression, suicide, self worth, self doubt, being highly self critical, questioning of the future and its inevitability, pursuits of dreams, working hard (but to what ends?), the fear of putting yourself out there, concern over what others think of us/perceptions and what lies on the surface vs. underneath it, parental and self-inflicted expectations that weigh us down, guilt or shame over what we’ve done, loneliness and isolation, the need for support, what we define ourselves by, how well do we really KNOW someone, and wanting to do more for another.
Additionally, coping mechanisms, the fear of losing control, how our individuality IS good, how quickly we judge others, how we push boundaries to our serious detriment, the rationalizations/justifications we cling to for our addictions, how we can control others to mask our own pain, sometimes having to put aside our own troubles to be there for someone else, show willingness to reach out rather than avoid our hurt, taking responsibility, believing we don’t deserve to be happy, and needing to SEE much less ACCEPT our WORTH and find the HOPE and VALIDATION that comes from it. I wished to list every single one I felt was portrayed because THAT is how IMPORTANT it is when it comes to encountering the aspects of mental health and the troubles it can bring–but also to understand THERE IS A WAY OUT that’s HEALING rather than harmful. Now, while I will be equally frank that this being the first of three seasons of the show I’ve seen to date, it was rather evident that there were production flaws (for me–editing, some skewed scene transitioning, sound issues, and just general flow being a little choppy at times) throughout.
BUT, as anyone who is familiar with my personal perspectives and preferences via reviews, it is STORY, it is HOW that hits me with relevance and accessibility in its content, CHARACTERS that are given time to develop and that you become endeared to, plus, at minimum, illustrates the palpable passion, heart, and utter determination behind it all to make it something truthful rather than just melodramatic fluff with no soul. This series HAS soul, and intent, and pertinence. THAT is what I feel is an INTEGRAL win here, and hence I can at least hope that the future seasons will show the improvement in production that I WOULD expect. Selbrede’s performances as Stone over the course of the season were just very REAL for me, carrying that “everyman” vibe that perfectly suits the show. Watching him navigate his character through the tumult of emotional baggage and frayed mindsets he endures is wholly believable, making us as the viewer totally root for his redemption and even applaud his imperfections, NOT meaning cheering on his condition, but more in the context of sincerely wanting him to MAKE IT THROUGH.
How this is handled is likewise believable, and Selbrede’s uncomplicated demeanor and understated intensity in bringing out all this instability is brought about smartly WITH both humor and affecting emotive power. Watson and Radomsky, playing Stone’s siblings Sara and Quill respectively, also come across grounded and realistic, with one being the more steady voice of (frustrated but supportive) reason and the other being stoutly businesslike and more adamantly firm about matters, but still tempered with empathy. Valentine is delightful and charming while also being dramatically emotive in her role as Bex, Stone’s longstanding friend who’s trying to make something of her life as well, facing the agitation of feeling inadequate and buried by parental expectations, but also SO deeply committed to wanting her friend to remain alive and vibrant so he can embrace the value he needs for himself and for her as well. Edwards III’s Finn joins Stone in complete, mutually shared, fervent desperation in wondering if life is at all worth living.
How the pair bond and have conflict over this really cements many of the series’ core themes into your mind, and I loved how Edwards III makes the fallibilities Finn has to face just as ardent as Stone’s, but in a differing enough way where BOTH of them need to be shown how MUCH they need help and SHOULD do so, with Edwards III portraying Finn’s vulnerability in everything conspicuously and compellingly evident. Primary and additional supporting appearances are made in the season by
Jessica Yin as Finn’s girlfriend Andrea, whose caring yet more manipulative manner with him supposedly represents her support of him and the requisite help she wants him to get, Livisha Renee as Charley, an enigmatic presence in Stone’s life, and mind, who could almost be construed as his conscious, perhaps, Chat Burst as Griff, an old friend of Stone’s who reenters his life and could become a catalyst for Stone’s awakening to life again, Olivia Dantzler as Zoe, an embodiment of what Stone needs more of to find his way out of the darkness he’s in, Ari Halvorsen as Huntley, and Kaden Woods as Sailor, both friends of Griff’s who have a hand in Stone’s coming back to actuality. So, in total, look PAST the production snags and see that “Hurt: Season 1” is a stirring, surprisingly entertaining, and intelligently applicable exercise in the realities of mental wellness, the damage caused when we’re not stable, the ways it can end up making us “see” in a new way, the uncertainties and trials we must face, and the ultimate truth that sometimes the way OUT is by going THROUGH it, BUT with the necessary, accompanying recognition that it’s not only WORTH bearing, but that most assuredly we DO NOT have to come through it alone. This critic now anticipates seeing Season 2 and how it will all be filled out even more.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
