The overwhelmingly charming series Grace and Frankie returns this week to the delight of fans. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin headline the star studded cast, combining dry wit, heart and ‘family values’ in the much anticipated second season.
Netflix is home to some of the most binged televisions shows in the industry. House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt have all accumulated massive fan bases, eager to count down the days to a new season. In contrast an array of Netflix originals exist that while ingenious in design are underwhelming in reception. The likes of BoJack Horseman and Grace and Frankie among many.
The series follows the platonic antics of, you guessed it, Grace and Frankie; the wives of two business partners (Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston) who recently came out and announced they had been seeing each other for years. In an ‘odd couple-esque’ turn of events the two women find themselves living together in the families shared beach house, navigating the world of the newly single. Supporting the main story arc, the children of both couples integrate themselves into the series, exploring the relationships of the younger generation, their acceptance of the situation and their interactions with the others.
The second season is said to pick up where the first ended, exploring the ramifications of the reconnection between Frankie and her ‘ex’-husband Sol, as well as Grace’s plunge back into the dating world.
The charm of the series comes from it’s ability to embrace it’s ‘Dramady’. Occasionally dark, the series is co-created by Friends architect Marta Kauffman and develops fully fledged characters, allowing audiences to connect with them in a real way while setting up situations that adhere to the fantastical world of fictitious television.
The entire season 2 will be available on Netflix on the 6th of May. Perfectly timed to fit in metaphorical ‘eye before the storm’ that is uni exams/assessments.