I binge watched every teen drama during lockdown: here’s what I learnt…
By: Livvie Gillett
Tags: Television, TV Series, Lockdown, Teen Shows, Teenage Angst

Dawson’s Creek

This was the first show I watched in my teen television journey and I was not disappointed. I immediately feel in love with the small town of Capeside and its smart-talking, angst filled residents. The show holds up surprisingly well with some very woke storylines for its time. The premise of this series seems so simple in contrast to all the murderers, vampires and cults in many more recent teen shows but the simplicity is what makes Dawson, Joey, Pacey and Jen just so relatable.

P.S. I definitely did not cry at the ending.

The lesson I learned: If a guy buys you a wall — he’s the one.

The OC

Never before have I loved a TV show so much! From the questionable 00's Hollister to the Chrismukkah celebrations, this show is funny, self-aware and gave us Sandy Cohen (aka the best TV Dad ever!). I loved being transported to world of Orange County, really getting to see how the other half lives. Across the four series the show had so many iconic guest stars from Paris Hilton to The Killers. The OC manages to perfectly balance comedy and melodrama, all with a revolutionary indie soundtrack.

The lesson I learned: It’s cool to be a geek; well, as long as you look like Adam Brody.

Teen Wolf

This series really shocked me. An edgy MTV show based on a supernatural 80’s comedy movie? It shouldn’t work, but somehow it really does! The characters are so lovable with Scott and Stiles taking best friendship to a whole new level. The supernatural plotlines were entertaining and super unique taking inspiration from mythology originating across the globe. The show is witty, captivating, blood-soaked and full of shirtless hotties. And of course is responsible for birthing Dylan O’Brien's acting career.

The lesson I learned: Do not go into the woods in the middle of the night looking for a dead body — not a wise idea.

One Tree Hill

I held off this watching this series for quite a while being intimidated by its nine seasons but when I finally watched it I was very impressed. Going into the show I didn’t think I would be a fan of all the basketball but I ended up being really into it! I found the relationship between estranged half-brother’s Lucas and Nathan to be really compelling and I also appreciated the strong representation of female friendship. The show really conveyed how relationships changes from adolescence to adulthood. However, don’t even get me started on Dan Scott.

The lesson I learned: Don’t leave your uncle with a school shooter and your dodgy father.

Riverdale

If you have never seen this show then I have no idea how to explain it to you. Never before has a show had so many chaotic storylines in four seasons; from a charismatic cult leader to a speakeasy being ran by a seventeen year old to the a drug called Jingle Jangle, Riverdale certainly never fails to entertain. It really had potential but by the time I reached the episode where Jughead fakes his death I had had enough. However, overall I do think Riverdale is a fun watch so long as you remember not to take it too seriously.

The lesson I learned: Don’t join a cult — even if it’s ran by Chad Michael Murray.

Gossip Girl

This show provided a cultural reset not only in the world of TV but also in the world of fashion. This series is steamy and drama-filled, although problematic at times (I’m talking about you Chuck Bass). The show is jammed full of quotable lines and clothing items I’m dying to steal! Gossip Girl has so many memorable plot lines from surprise threesomes to masked balls, I was engrossed every single episode. However, the ending really let the series down — it was a shocking twist but left us with a multitude of plot holes and many unanswered questions.

The lesson I learned: New York is beautiful. Period.

Awkward

This delightfully cringe-worthy MTV series is criminally underrated! The show is laugh out loud funny with such relatable characters. There were so many moment where I was like ‘been there, done that!’. Jenna was such a unique character and I applauded the writers for giving us her flip of character in the third season. All I want to know is… are you Team Jake or Team Matty?

The lesson I learned: Don’t hook up with someone at summer camp — it’s kind of gross and you’ll probably regret it.

Pretty Little Liars

I’ll be honest and say that I didn’t quite manage to finish this show before it got taken off Netflix but I enjoyed the first four seasons very much. I loved all of the four main girls as they all brought something a little different to the group. I was incredibly shocked by the first reveal of who ‘A’ was but as the various dramatic reveals continued throughout the series it did become quite tiresome.