ReviewERRZ: Ginny & Georgia (Netflix Series)

Errz Cortes

January 9, 2023

Thank TikTok I stumbled upon this series! I was scrolling mindlessly on TikTok (which is not advisable to someone who wants to aim for self-mastery but oh well...) last week and I watched the scene when Ginny (the teenager) was 'accused' of stealing which shocked Georgia (the mother). Georgia creates a scene claiming that the store singled out her daughter because she's 'black' and then she proceeds to buy some stuff from the store and pays 'in cash'. I thought that was badass and was intrigued which resulted in binge-watching the series. (I was even right on time for Season 2 since I started watching on January 3)

SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY

After her husband's death, Georgia, Ginny, and Austin (a single mom of two, her 15-year-old daughter, and her 9-year-old son, respectively) moved to the rich and 'too cooperative' town of Wellsbury. Georgia went through a lot to provide the 'best and normal life' for her kids, and all the traumas, distress, and disorder from the past slowly unpack throughout the story's progression leading to more life-changing events and feelings for the Miller family.

INITIAL THOUGHTS AND IMPRESSIONS

Georgia was the badass stable mom dealing with her rebellious teenage daughter and the fuel to her child's creativity that's what I thought this series was about. A knowledgeable mom teaches her children the best way to kick the asses of abusive and manipulative people, and it's much more than that. Georgia is knowledgeable in a peculiar way not taught in school books and it's why her character shines most.

Ginny was initially presented as someone who isn't part of the 'cool kids', but after moving, she immediately proves that knowledge is sexy and hot. It attracts like-minded people. But I also thought she was someone who isn't able to speak out her initial thoughts like there's a filter inside a filter filtering her words to feel like she belongs. Austin the imaginative boy who was thought to be strong, loving, and caring.

I thought Marcus was a pure bad influence who drags people down or uses them just because he feels like it. Someone who thinks he can do whatever he wants because of his 'charisma' and is good-looking (I am not fond of his character obviously). I feel like Maxine talks a lot, enough to make the other person feel like s/he is not worth listening to. So I was a bit on the negative side of the Baker twins, but I did like their mother.

WHO IS THE SERIES FOR

First of all, I appreciate the multiple lessons/voices raised by this series, and with all respect to the production team, I'll be recommending it to people mature enough to not use this series to arouse themselves. I don't usually trust the age ratings recommended by books and screens. Do note that my recommendation comes with in mind: Children and teens (or even adults), don't go around looking for fiction books/shows to learn about sex and intimacy, please. Thank you.

On the other note, I would recommend it to people who are passionate about inclusivity, open-minded about family issues, or are interested in relationships (family, romance, friends) and therapy~

SPOILER CONTENT

(Stop reading this part if you haven't watched the series yet, but feel free to come back once you finished too~)

FAVORITE QUOTES or CHAPTERS

There's A LOT so be ready~ Also, my perspective comes from a 21-year-old daughter's mind ;) Cut me some slack UwU

"A woman ill-prepared is a woman set up for failure." - Lynette Miller

It's the 20th century, women have more power and rights than ever before. I think it's important for women to plan for themselves, consider living alone, or raise a child alone. We don't have to be dependent on men, even after marriage. I've seen multiple women lose themselves, and have a HARD time not having financial support from their partners because they decided not to anymore or because they can't afford it. You must prepare yourself, educate yourself, and build yourself.

"I wanna feel secure enough to be truly free." - Georgia Miller

I 100% relate Georgia *pats her back and hugs her*. Do you want to feel secure enough to be truly free too?

"You're never gonna be really happy until you accept the fact that you're you." - Zion Miller

As a child, I often heard fair-skinned Filipinos/relatives commenting on my skin, "Use whitening products to achieve fairer skin." (non-verbatim) and those comments bothered me. It birthed whispers in my mind telling me to want the 'perfect skin', 'clear skin', and 'unrealistic beauty standards'. Fast forward to now, I've grown to love my morena skin, and I don't internalize others' comments about me (unless it's sympathetic criticism). It doesn't matter, they're not the one who owns the body, who feels the body, who is taking care of the body, etc. You do you, embrace it as long as you're happy and healthy. Are you really happy with yourself right now?

"Through the lens is how the world makes sense to me." - Zion Miller

As a previous self-proclaimed photographer, I like this quote. I used to capture A LOT of bare and candid moments. Enjoying others' looks while they laugh and talk about something they're passionate about, spending time with their loved ones, and feelings beyond the boundary. I haven't been able to take lots of fun pictures for a few years now but I'll get back to it someday. Do you like taking pictures?

"I've done things I'm not proud of. And I've done things I never want my kids to know about, but I'd do 'em again. I'd do anything to protect my kids like no one ever protected me. Anything." - Georgia Miller

Life is unfair, but you've got to utilize the cards you've been given. That's exactly what Georgia did, all for her children. She chose the path she thought was right, and that's what everyone thinks about their own decisions, right? We sometimes question the decisions our loved ones made but are we any better? Have we tried placing ourselves in their situation?

"We're wasting our lives chained to these screens for our dopamine hits anyway. Does it actually make us more fulfilled? No." - Marcus Baker

Marcus is spilling facts, everyone! This was when Ellen Baker threatened to take Marcus' phone away as punishment. Is taking away our phones or taking a break from our phones a punishment? When do we need our phones?

"When the system isn't built for you, you're faced with two options. You can try to change it brick by brick, or you can say not today and protect yourself for the bigger battles to come." - Zion Miller

This quote made me see my plans in a new light. We got to choose our battles. I plan to change the system brick by brick, and to do that, I'm choosing to protect myself first now for those bigger battles to come. When do you think is it time to change the system brick by brick? When is it time to say not today?

"It's just in your brain, and it doesn't exist. So you get to make it real." - Silver

Isn't it mind-blowing? How art is created (visual, performing), crafted by one's soul or multiple human's thoughts, feelings, skills, like WOW. It's a lot fascinating as well when I create art, like 'I made this! And some people appreciate that I made this!' This is me expressing my love for the art community haha! So if you're thinking of creating something now, DO IT! Action brings a lot of difference. You can think of a million amazing things but if you just let it pass by, someone else will get to make it real. Let that someone be you.

"Consent is sexy." - Bracia

YES, in every possible you can think of.

"I have my own experiences too, Mom" - Ginny Miller

Our parents sometimes tend to have expectations, want the best for us, and have plans for us, and sometimes we let them down. We may not mean to invalidate their sacrifices for us, but sometimes life hits us differently than the way they wanted. And I think that's okay. That's just how life goes. We'll all learn from it eventually and adjust accordingly.

"No one person should be responsible for your happiness." - Marcus Baker

Whether it's with your partner, idol, parents, siblings, or the internet, you'll only be truly happy when you're happy by yourself. I find it unhealthy. Suppressive even. How will you feel if you're responsible for someone's happiness? Or if you're relying on someone for your happiness, what if they leave unannounced?

"You have the talent to make people feel like they have the permission to be silly." - Clint Baker

Parents' observations and love language mean a lot to their children, especially when their children are having a hard time. I felt a father's love when Clint expressed how his daughter's skills/existence can positively contribute to someone else's life. How does your parent make you feel special?

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Poem Open Mic Night. My favorite scene was when Zion brought Ginny to a poem open mic night, then proceeds to present his poem, I cried. TuT I really can't comprehend most parents' love for their children. This series gives you a blazing fire of family trauma and reconciliation, and I'm here for it.

Asian-American. I used to watch a YouTube channel called 'Wong Fu Productions', it's a channel with Asian-American actors and I've seen them make comedy skits about not being 'white enough', and still not 'too Asian'. So it makes me feel like the voices of Asian-American who feel the same have been magnified and validated. (I can't relate but I'm glad for them haha)

Feminism. There was this class discussion about feminism. Nowadays, there's been a lot of 'feminists' and various generations have started misinterpreting the 'initial goals and purpose' of feminists which is sometimes causing hate and misunderstanding. It was impactful for me and made me wonder 'what do other people think about feminists?'. How loud are being 'too loud' and 'aggressive'? (Comment what you think)

Sign Language. I AM IN LOVE with Ellen and Clint Baker. When the Bakers do sign language, it amazes me, they must've studied and memorized it well. I appreciate the production team for scouting a real deaf actor. I plan to learn how to do sign language in the next 5-10 years, and this part of the series made me want to learn more. What are your thoughts on sign language?

Batang Ina (Young Single Mother) Moments. It breaks my heart to think that Georgia went through all of that. No one deserves to experience all of those at such a young age. And it's even mind-boggling that it's happening in real life. That's why the system should reconsider its ways of protecting and educating children. There's no good thing that will happen if you cover things up with sparkle and glitters. Don't you think that one way or another, the children and youth will find themselves looking at the cruel and harsh reality of the people around them?

SEASON 3 FORECAST

I'll keep this short. Simone will probably help Georgia. Samantha gave signs of pregnancy. Georgia finally decides to consistently attend therapy. Austin gets to take special classes. Deal with Mr. Gitten. And Joe's true ending might be something to look forward to.

OVERALL OPINIONS

The character development of the characters is definitely worth watching out for. I appreciate the time and effort they provided for most side characters' stories and feelings, like Abby's relatable teenage body consciousness, Norah's adoption and therapy, why Hunter's friends with Pres and all, Joe's cute high school back stories, Zach and Austin's delightful friendship, school pressure, kin pressure, peer pressure, anddd there's a lot, okaaayyy? Just rewatch the show haha!

Then, there's also the inclusivity issues discussed, THERAPY (I love the series is pushing for people to normalize it, and I really would love to go on therapy for mental maintenance soon~), checking out on friends and family's feelings (everyone's dealing with their own mind ;)), what else could you ask for?

And of course, who can forget Georgia's appealing skills in proposing clever and out-of-the-box projects that may or may not involve unity, wit, and money? I can't!

Oh! Did I mention the series' playlist yet??? Cos I feel badass listening to some of them haha! I liked the song 'Thank you' by Diana Gordon most~ (You better search it up on Spotify if you like empowering yourself!)

Also, it's not all sparkles, here are some scenes that bugged me: first, when people get into rooms that are supposedly locked? Like how did Cynthia get into the Mayor's office? Aren't there supposed to be guards?; second, I got triggered when Georgia went into Ginny's therapy journal, it bothers me when someone snoops into your personal belongings (Especially when it comes to intimate and personal journals), it makes me feel like I can't be bare, raw, expressive of my buried thoughts even on WN journal because someone might see it, act upon it, and judge me; lastly, talking about problems then proceeds to sex, or opening up to someone and then sex, likee does that mean that some feel more important to have sex after being vulnerable? I honestly don't understand. I just don't want 'vulnerability' to a romantic partner to be a 'sex thing'.

Sometimes I forget how hard it is to be a teenager, and how resources, world problems, and experiences changed per generation. It sometimes amazes me how my grandparents or parents survived raising a child when they were my age or even younger! In my family, some of my grandparents conceived children before the age of 20. And I'm 21 now, like??? It must've been crazy hard, and I salute most of them for doing their part as parents of the children they conceived, doing the best they can. I love you nanay and tatay~ I appreciate you more than you know~

Lastly, I watched some parts without taking notes so I might've left some details that you want to share. Feel free to comment to let me know your thoughts~