Watch Grand Army

Grand Army is a recent Netflix original series that aired in 2020. It is a teen drama that follows the lives of five students at Grand Army High School in Brooklyn, New York. The show explores the issues that the characters face in their personal lives, the school environment, and the broader societal context.

Joey Del Marco, a promising pianist, is one of the five main characters. Joey is the lead singer of a band struggling to get noticed, and her family is coping with financial issues. She is also dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault. Meanwhile, Dominique Pierre rebels against her Haitian parents and seeks out authenticity in her own life. She starts a relationship with John Ellis, an activist and soccer player who struggles with his own family issues, including his father's deportation.

Sid Pakam, the son of Indian immigrants who own a bodega, is a gifted student who struggles to find his place among his mostly white classmates. Jayson Jackson, an African American student, is a talented basketball player who faces the constant pressure to succeed and provide for his family. Finally, Leila Kwan Zimmer experiences cultural conflict as the daughter of a Jewish American mother and a Muslim Chinese father. She also struggles to come to terms with her sexuality.

Throughout the series, the characters' lives become increasingly intertwined, and their relationships are tested. As the school year progresses, the students face numerous challenges, including race relations, economic inequality, and social injustice. Grand Army tackles these issues head-on, bringing to light both the subtle and explicit forms of systemic oppression that the students face.

The show examines not only the issues of the present but also the historical traumas that inform them. Joey's assault explicitly connects to the Weinstein trial, which was taking place while the show was filming. Similarly, Grand Army addresses education inequality by referencing the longstanding practice of redlining, but reframes it in a way that is relevant to the students that attend Grand Army High.

Grand Army covers a wide range of topics, such as LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, immigration policies, and police brutality. Each character embodies important social issues that are fundamental in today's world. Leila's character in particular adds much-needed representation for queer, Asian Americans, while John Ellis serves as a representation of Black activism, showing both joy and pain in his efforts.

The show's storytelling is indeed remarkable, made possible by the remarkable performances of its talented cast and crew. Its unique approach to dramatizing social issues grasps the audiences' attention and brings awareness to the viewer. It breaks the "teen angst" mold by delving deep into the wider societal aspects affecting the students and is a reminder to the audience that the issues raised affect people's lives in a profound manner. The show never shies away from the real-life horrors that we see every day on news headlines.

Overall, Grand Army is a must-watch for those interested in themes of race, class, and sexuality. It uses storytelling to challenge viewers' preconceptions and shines a light on important social issues facing America today. The show provides much-needed representation and highlights the importance of intersectionality in our society. It is a powerful show that speaks to the current social climate and is a must-watch for individuals who want to better understand the issues that today's society is struggling with. It certainly deserves to be on everyone's watchlist.

Grand Army is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between October 16, 2020 and on Netflix