Lovesick: A TV show review

December 16, 2016

Official poster for season two of Lovesick, now on Netflix (Google).

By LAYANN BASILEH
Staff Writer
Netflix released the second season of the British sitcom Lovesick on November 17, 2016. The show follows the love life of protagonist Dylan (Johnny Flynn), a hopeless romantic who, after learning he has chlamydia, must go through the process of contacting all of his previous partners to inform them to get tested. As he gets in touch with his former companions and reminisces about them in a series of flashbacks, Dylan struggles with the state of his romantic endeavors along with his best friends, the cynical Evie (Antonia Thomas) and the irresponsible player Luke (Daniel Ings).
Since Lovesick is sitcom, it is primarily comedic. Every episode is filled with cleverly written lines and fast quipped jokes which create many laughter inducing moments, such as when Dylan asks his current girlfriend during a wedding ceremony if she thinks that they will be up on the altar someday, to which she curtly replies with “No.” Dylan begins frantically (and loudly) questioning her, much to the chagrin of the rest of the wedding guests, not to mention the bride and groom. The first season of the show mainly consists of such comical moments, however the second season, while still humorous, delves deeper into the lives of Dylan and his friends, exploring how the three met each other, as well as subjects extending to goals in life, personal loss, and depression. It also continues to survey the current and former relationships of the trio, and suggest that Dylan’s past partners, although he was unable to find a “soul mate” with out of any of them, each impacted him in one way or another, whether it be the realization of what he wants to do with his life, or simply making him realize the importance of sharing commonalities with a love interest.
Every character in Lovesick has their own charm, the actors bringing their character to life as they portray them as authentic young and even a little lost adults that the viewer can relate and empathize with. Even with their clear faults, the characters still draw affection from the audience. For example, although Luke is crude and even occasionally rude, his witty dialogue and genuine brokenness give his character a depth and realness that viewer can’t help but be drawn to.
When viewing the show, I particularly enjoyed how accessible the characters were, I could truly see myself hanging out with the show’s main trio. In a lot of sitcoms, it’s easy to see how characters try to appeal to younger age groups, often seeming exaggerated or silly. However, Lovesick’s attempts to connect with its audience are effective, coming across as a bona fide view into what goes on in the life people in their mid-twenties. Another unique aspect of the show was how it handled love and relationships. The series realistically portrays romance, the characters are able to find some form of happiness and satisfaction in multiple different relationships, versus other romance oriented shows which tend to display relationships other the character’s “true love” to be inherently toxic and miserable. Having a more neutral approach added a sense of naturalness to the story.
Not to mention, the soundtrack is fantastic. The youthful atmosphere of the show is reflected with modern and upbeat music such as “So Good” by Nao or “Life Itself” by Glass Animals. Despite being a sitcom, the film work was extremely aesthetic, featuring shots of a beautiful countryside or a trendy, brightly decorated cafe.
Overall, Lovesick is a show that any teenager or young adult can easily enjoy, whether they are looking for a laugh or want something a little deeper and relatable.
Lovesick currently holds a 8/10 rating on IMDb.

Donate to Sword & Shield

$180

$1000

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of University High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.