Let’s be real, if you have been anywhere near the same corner of the internet as me recently, you will have heard and seen all the hype around Off-Campus. Now you and I both know I am normally really stubborn about watching things whilst they are still in there “hype” phase, but this one, well, this one had me intrigued. Also, unlike me, I am going into a book-to-screen TV show without having read the book first (I know, I am shocked too!).
That being said… I am joining the hype train and felt the need to talk about it, so here we are. Welcome to my review of Season One of Off-Campus with as few spoilers as possible.
Hannah & Garrett
Season one follows the wonderful Hannah Wells, and now it comes as no surprise that I am a little in love with Wellsy. She, without necessarily knowing it, is a kick ass woman, who has dealt with trauma that isn’t something I would wish on my worst enemy. She is a music major, and she’s well obsessively crushing on a guy from a band. (Who can blame her?) She’s still healing, but with a best friend like Allie holding her strong, she is doing so with grace.
Then Mr Garrett Graham, our ice hockey captain, comes along needing her help, and, in return, they agree that he will help her get the musician’s attention. From processing his own emotions and trauma to supporting wellsy with hers, Graham had me hooked.
Throwing us into a will they? won’t they? The ” do they catch real feelings trope, filled with jealousy and chaos, as expected, right. Wrong, we are also gifted the softest and gentle moments between the two.
So much so that this *Silly Little Dance* that comes towards the middle of the season has been stuck in my mind for days. Quite frankly, an obsession I wasn’t aware I would have.
Allie & Dean:
Now we must talk about the best friends and the side little romance, Allie and Dean. From the silly little nicknames to a dance scene that had hearts racing. It is without fail that I am screaming that we need more of them.
I don’t want to give spoilers, but again, there is a dance scene that I promise you now is just *chef’s kiss*. I have never been more invested in two people almost instantly. They just look good together.
Allie is someone I feel like everyone needs at least one of, supportive but chaotic, but someone who dreams incredibly big and will not let anyone stand in the way of that.
Dean… well, I started with a bit of a love-hate with the ladies’ man seen with woman after woman or women depending on the day, but he quickly became one of my favourite characters. There are layers to him that I feel need unpicking. Was my opinion slightly changed because he dresses as one of my favourite characters of all time, and I forgot how to speak… maybe. (Don’t be judging now).
The Hockey Element:
Now the series heavily features the hockey team and Garrett’s role as captain, the connections to generational success, and the insane pressure. I came for the romance and somehow left with a newfound interest in ice hockey players, whilst still not being 100% how the game works. Step aside, baseball; ice hockey is the new fixation.
Final Thoughts:
It’s Messy. It’s Sweet. It’s Funny. It’s Steamy. It’s the rom-com energy we have been missing. It goes to show that a good old rom-com, when done well, can attract a multitude of watchers. Binge-worthy and one I binged happily over two days.
Now, not to get anyone overexcited (I almost squeaked out loud on the train), season 2 has been confirmed. Our need for more Dean and Allie is about to be answered. But it also means more Wellsy and Graham, and that, in my opinion, could never be a bad thing.
The casting of this show is one I think they have done well. They carry this story so well that they have us swooning. The entire cast feels like a group of friends you know you would get into trouble with, but laughing the whole time.
Have you watched Off-Campus? What did you think? Have you read the books? Are they worth the read?
Let me know in the comments below.
Love Always,
Gee xoxo
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