OSTW REVIEW

First Love, Fearlessly Told

What happens when young love meets real-life complexity? Netflix’s drama "Forever" offers a heartfelt and deeply relevant answer.

Based on Judy Blume’s once-banned 1975 novel and reimagined by the talented creator Mara Brock Akil, "Forever" is more than just a coming-of-age romance; it’s a heartfelt drama that resonates with modern teenagers and their parents. In today’s hyper-connected and emotionally complex world, this is a show that every family with teens should watch together.

Set in Los Angeles in 2018, "Forever" follows Keisha Clark (played by Lovie Simone), a sharp and ambitious high school student from a working-class background, and Justin Edwards (played by Michael Cooper Jr.), a charming basketball star from an affluent family who struggles with ADHD and parental pressure. Their love story is electric, emotional, and, above all, honest.

What makes "Forever" stand out is its dedication to portraying teen stories without judgment or condescension. It’s uncommon to find a teen drama that allows young people to be complex, flawed, and authentic without reducing them to stereotypes. The chemistry between the lead characters is palpable, but it is the nuanced and well-developed writing that truly elevates the series.

Why "Forever" Matters for Families with Teens

Parenting teenagers can often feel like navigating emotional minefields, but "Forever" offers a reflective perspective and a starting point for important conversations. Here are a few reasons why it is significant for today’s families: Unlike many shows that sensationalize teenage intimacy, "Forever" handles the topic with nuance and care. It provides teenagers with a safe way to see themselves and gives parents a framework for discussing important issues like boundaries, readiness, and respect.

The series doesn’t shy away from modern pitfalls like leaked private content and the weaponization of social media. It’s a timely reminder that every digital choice can have real emotional consequences.

Instead of portraying parents as obstacles, "Forever" present them as parents who are trying—sometimes failing—but always human. This helps bridge the emotional distance many teens and parents feel in real life.

What The Critics Are Saying

"An absolutely adorable TV take on Judy Blume’s banned teen sex classic." — The Guardian

"A powerful re-imagining… It’s tender, timely, and full of emotional truth." — TIME

"Forever understands today’s teens because it respects them. It’s a rare feat." — Decider

Audiences have consistently praised the cast’s performances and the emotional depth of the show. The story’s slower pace is intentional, allowing quiet moments to resonate and important themes to be fully appreciated. "Forever" is more than just entertainment; it serves as a cultural touchstone. For teenagers, it provides relatable narratives and representation. For parents, it opens avenues for conversations that might otherwise remain unaddressed. For families, it creates a shared emotional experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Family Viewing Recommendation

Watch with teens aged 14+

Discussion starters: What does a healthy relationship look like? How should we handle digital boundaries? What does it mean to really be ready for love?

Must-watch for: Families with teens, educators, and anyone who remembers their first heartbreak.

Skip if: You prefer fast-paced drama or aren't ready to engage in deep family conversations.

Similar TV Series: "Freeman's College" (Nigeria), "Waterloo Road" (UK) & "Overcompensating" (US).

OSTW Rating: 95%

*Photos courtesy: TMDB & IMDb

FAN'S REVIEW

Sewedo Nupowaku is CEO, Revolution Media. (Lagos, Nigeria)

The Party is a three-episode series that I largely enjoyed—especially because, unlike the usual Nollywood "third act vulnerability," the final part of the mini-series delivered a substantially satisfying ending. I must also commend the inimitable Bimbo Manuel, Shaffy Bello, and Femi Branch for delivering enjoyable performances that helped smooth over some storytelling kinks.

On the narrative front, the series presents itself as a whodunnit, but at its heart, it's really a family drama. I appreciated how the story doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexity of the murder victim, whose death drives the plot. That said, some lines felt repetitive, and in the first episode, it seemed as though the plot wasn’t moving with much urgency. Fortunately, the story begins to gather momentum towards the end of the second episode, even if some of the developments felt a bit head-scratching. Episode 3 carries the weight of the plot, and once the central twist unfolds, the nuance in Chief Manuel’s performance becomes even more apparent and rewarding.

Yemi Morafa deserves plaudits for his commendable direction. I’m not sure I’ve seen better cinematography from Jonathan Kovel—probably a result of the singular vision Filmboy brought to the project. One minor gripe I had was with Tolu Obanro’s musical score. While he’s distinguished himself with past Yoruba epics, his brooding theme here didn’t quite align with the tone of this story. The editing, on the other hand, was eye-catching, with smooth transitions and a clear effort to keep the complex threads of the story coherent and engaging.

The script could benefit from more refinement and doesn’t always match the ambition of the cinematography. Still, it’s far from bad. There are a few standout lines of dialogue, and the vibrant visuals keep things moving. Despite the story’s Agatha Christie-like aspirations and some of the aforementioned quibbles, I didn’t feel my time was wasted—and for that, I’m grateful.

I’m not saying The Party will change the world, and opinions may vary, but for a series that compelled me to write a review without hesitation, it’s something I’d gladly recommend. It’s not a bad way to spend a lazy Saturday or Sunday, and I’m definitely looking forward to more from this team.

The Party is streaming on Netflix.

FAN'S REVIEW

 Dr. Kemi Osigbesan (Washington D.C)

I preface this TV show review by putting out a disclaimer about how I think human behavior is shaped and formed.

When I have conversations about the origin of each person's behavior, I always say that your behavior is shaped by your family and your environment, which includes your culture, religion, and peers. Technology is also starting to play a huge role in how our children and even adults ingest information that later forms our personality and behavior.

If you are looking for a fun show to watch, Adolescence is NOT a feel-good show. It is not a bad movie; it is a TV show that does not give you warm and fuzzy feeling because of the emotionally charged storyline. I was sad intermittently while watching this TV series. There were four episodes, and it had such a heavy message that I could not help but delve into research mode to see if it was based on a true story. While it is not a true story, the story is based on the knife stabbing pandemic in the United Kingdom.

Thirteen-year-old Jamie and his family are asleep in their house when the police break through the door and arrest him for suspicion of murder. In the four episodes, you wonder if he is indeed the culprit or if he is covering for someone else. You also want to know why the offense was committed in the first place. Through the show, I noticed a stark difference between how the United States processes juvenile justice and how their punishment are meted out in comparison to the U.K. There was an element of humanity when Jamie was arrested that I have never seen happen here in the U.S.

In the show, we watch Jamie transition from a meek 13-year-old child to a child screaming and yelling obscenities at his counsellor while explaining the story. It was determined during his psychological evaluation that Jamie was being bullied because he was an incel (I had to go dig for the meaning). In the course of the show, Andrew Tate's name was mentioned, and you know that definitely would not bode well for anyone using him as a yardstick to measure how men are meant to treat women. On the other hand, Jamie's parents are also questioning their role in how Jamie turned out, and they resolve their inner conflict by reassuring themselves that Lisa, Jamie's sister, turned out well. But, could they have done better?

Overall, the storytelling was amazing. You were equally fascinated and annoyed at Jamie for putting his family in such a bad situation. Then you look at how tender the police were with him when he was arrested. Some will watch this show and bring in race as a determinant for how Jamie was treated by the police. However, it would be remiss not to say that his initial interaction was with a black police officer D.I. Bascombe. Who gave him a very good advice and you could tell there was a softness in his eyes due to the tender age of Jamie.

I’ll say this much: watch your kids all the time and do not let technology raise your kids. If they are quiet, check in on them.

Adolescence is still on Netflix.