Crime
Wayward
Wayward tries to make a statement about intergenerational trauma, but it comes with a lot of content issues that will make the show a nonstarter for many.
For many teens, college is the thing you look forward to after high school. It’s the next phase in life that helps you prove to yourself, and everyone else, that you’re prepared to step into the world of adulthood.
At least that’s how Zoey and Andre Junior Johnson see it.
Zoe really does think she’s ready until, of course, she misses class registration for her freshman year and finds herself in a late-night class (not her choice, of course) with prostitutes, possible drug addicts and a random group of people she’d never typically hang around. But all it takes is one night in this class for these random young adults to share some pretty personal stories and feel bonded for life–even as they go through some significant changes in their own lives.
And although Junior originally plans to “get in, get out and get back into the real world” (expecting nothing more than a well-paying job from his college career) his new friends convince him to take advantage of the full college experience.
With the help of their friends, Zoey and Andre Junior work through emotions, drama and life as they attempt to keep it together and finish their degrees.
Grown-ish is a TV-14 spinoff dramedy of ABC’s Black-ish, focusing on Andre and Rainbow Johnson’s collegiate daughter, Zoey and, in the fifth and sixth seasons, Zoey’s younger brother, Andre Junior. Their college journeys come with plenty of content issues and changes as each academic year passes.
And, of course, their lives (and the lives of their friends) have changed as well. Zoey has had plenty of flings and continues to have an on-again, off-again relationship with Aaron. Ana, Zoey’s former roommate, is no longer a virgin, but has rekindled her relationship with God and often talks about prayer. And Andre Junior learns to live with his female roommate, Zaara.
In these changes, there is some good to be found. I was surprised to hear a character talk about God and encourage her friends to rely on prayer for strength. I was also surprised at some of the themes, such as perseverance, celibacy (for some), honor and respect. But that’s not where this review ends.
Political opinions and protests are prevalent as is casual sex, homosexuality, drug use and foul language. People take stands and spout morals that are questionable at best.
So if you thought this might be a show for the whole family after watching Black-ish, just know that this show is far more grown than you might expect.
Aaron copes with his recent breakup with Zoey by filling his schedule with goals and activities. Meanwhile, Andre mends his friendship with Zaara, who is frustrated that he ignores her problems.
Andre worries about his relationship with his girlfriend, Annika, and he explains to Zaara (a woman who used to be his roommate) that he’s having trouble getting into “the groove” during sexual encounters. In one scene, Andre and Annika lie in bed together (both presumably unclothed, and Andre seen without a shirt) and discuss a disappointing sexual encounter. Later he asks Zaara, “How important would you say sex is to the survival of a relationship?” This question completely glosses over an important issue Zaara was trying to tell Andre. When Andre walks away, Zaara yells, “Good luck improving your lovemaking.”
Characters also use sexual innuendos throughout the episode. Andre remembers a moment in which a college guy tells his fraternity about an embarrassing sexual problem, and his frat friends poke fun at him. A woman sees a man and explains that while she’s “not into men,” she “wants to be touching him.” A woman is briefly seen wearing only a towel, although nothing critical is seen. Some characters wear crop tops. An RA tells some of his residents that he plans to host a sex-addicts anonymous meeting.
Annika and her friends are living in the sober dorm on campus. While they are at a dorm get-together, one of the girls says she wants to go to a bar instead. Aaron hangs out at a bar. While he’s there, his friend encourages him to work through his feelings about the breakup instead of bottling them up. A woman approaches Aaron at the bar to introduce himself and flirt, but he respectfully declines the offer.
Girls gossip about their new roommate who they find annoying. A character reveals that her parents are getting a divorce. At a game night, a character wants to play a game called “Sturbridge Witch Hunt” which is a whodunit about subverted gender roles.
Characters use some profanity including single uses of the s-word, “b–ch,” “a–” and “crap.” Characters also misuse God’s name, and there are censured f-words (including once when the word is written out and blurred over).
As Zoey and her friends all reunite at the hospital in support of Vivek and his critically ill father they re-examine their lives.
Zoey and her friends talk about not wanting to “jinx” anything, they mention that the “universe” plays cruel jokes, that the “energy” in the room needs to stay positive, that prayer helps in times of distress and that “God is good all the time.” Vivek prays to “Muhammed, God or whoever is up there.” He later prays directly to God, apologizing for his “life of sin” and says that if God heals his dad, he will work to make God proud.
Zoey and Aarom lay in bed together, fully clothed, after sex. A woman sports a crop top, while a few others wear cleaving-baring shirts. The s-word is used a few times, as is the word “a–.” A man uses a crass reference to testicles.
Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).
Wayward tries to make a statement about intergenerational trauma, but it comes with a lot of content issues that will make the show a nonstarter for many.
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