REVIEW: On My Block, Season 2 (2019)
Expectations were high for the second season of the critically acclaimed Netflix Original, On My Block, and somehow it is even better than the first. The series, which debuted in 2018, captured viewers’ hearts as we watched Monse (Sierra Capri), Ruby (Jason Genao), Olivia (Ronni Hawk), and Jamal (Brett Gray) attempt to pull Cesar (Diego Tinoco) out of his brother’s gang—the Santos—all while navigating high school, relationships, and a Goonies-style treasure hunt for the mythical spoils of the ‘RollerWorld’ heist. But one of the reasons this series is so poignant is its depiction of the characters—their lives, personalities, and struggles—from a so-called ‘bad’ neighbourhood beyond any stereotypical tropes of their circumstances.
Season two begins shortly after the explosive climax of the first season, with the cast dealing with the ramifications of Olivia’s death. Cesar is now homeless, having been beaten out of the Santos when they discovered that he didn’t kill Latrelle (Jahking Guillory), a member of the rival gang who went on to murder Olivia at her quinceañera. Monse is struggling to support him against her father’s wishes. Ruby is wrestling with survivor’s guilt. And Jamal, who found the ‘RollerWorld’ money and developed a strange, but comical, friendship with Juanita—a garden gnome—isn’t sure when to share this news as the community grieves.
The first season focussed on the group and their friendship dynamic as a whole, while this season delves into the characters as individuals. Capri delivers a gripping performance of a young woman with mixed heritage (Afro-Latina) discovering who she is in a struggle that many young, mixed-raced people can identify with. She finds herself caught between the subtle divides of race, colourism, class, privilege, and retaining loyalty to her roots.
Then there’s Ruby, whose character highlights the lasting effects of trauma in a way that many shows of similar genres fail to achieve. We watch as he tries to come to terms with what happened and learns that it is okay to not always be okay. He finds himself slipping in and out of depression. His portrayal of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is particularly noteworthy, demonstrating how even the seemingly smallest of things can trigger symptoms—a large crowd, a song, a sound. This is not only relevant but is also desperately needed to raise awareness about mental health.
Losing a main cast member can often be difficult for a series to overcome, however Olivia’s death allowed for Jasmine (Jessica Marie Garcia) to be promoted to a season regular and, through her inclusion, the topic of mental health is further explored. We are introduced to her home life, seeing how she cares for her father who has been left in a catatonic state since his return from Afghanistan, highlighting the plight of many USA military veterans who often do not receive sufficient financial or mental health support. The source of her self-confidence is also revealed. In Chapter 13 she explains that, while she knows that she may be annoying, she is okay with this as her father’s condition made her realise that “the only thing [she] could actually control was [herself]. So, [she] decided to be happy, because why screw yourself if the universe if just gonna screw you anyway?”
Cesar’s story, which is a central plot to the season, demonstrates the gravitas of a child forced to take on the responsibilities of an adult. He finds himself alone, regretting allowing Latrelle to live as his friends become targets and his life is turned upside down. Through his story, the complexity of the gangs in the community is revealed. His older brother, Spooky, is depicted as fully aware of the violence the Santos brought to Ruby’s doorstep, and tries to help him as we discover how he was forced to turn to gang life and give up his own dreams to provide for Cesar in the absence of their parents.
And while Jamal has a regular home life, with loving parents, he not only demonstrates the strength of his loyalty to his friends, but he (along with Jasmine) also provides essential comic relief, seamlessly weaving between comedy and drama to keep the show engaging.
The second season of On My Block once again provides a breath of fresh air from the overly objectifying tropes that we have come to expect in shows centring around portrayals of inner-city communities. It is a show with agency and authenticity (and a fantastic soundtrack). Its execution proves that we need more shows with such carefully crafted narratives, tenderly portraying the characters as real people and challenging the norms and expectations that are held about mental health, teenagers, and gang life.
Star Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Summary: a thought-provoking series, challenging the norms and expectations that are held about mental health, teenagers, and life in an inner-city neighbourhood through a mix of comedy and drama.
Article tags: | intersectionality | diversity |
Image Source: On My Block/Netflix
Image Source: Nicola Goode/Netflix
Image Source: On My Block/Netflix; NME
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