Everyone loves a good underdog story. Unfortunately, Hollywood inserts so much liberal propaganda into almost every production these days, it’s hard to find a good one anymore. So, when a gem like Netflix’s charming Geek Girl comes along, without any agenda tied to it, it’s like a breath of fresh air. This is a show the whole family can enjoy.
Based on the eponymous young adult novel by Holly Smale, the British dramedy centers around high school student Harriet Manners (Emily Carey), a shy, awkward girl who is “neurodivergent,” according to IMDb, and bullied by the more popular students at her school.
When Harriet ends up being sought after by Wilbur (Emmanuel Imani), a modeling agent that her best friend Natalie (Rochelle Harrington) was hoping to be discovered by, chaos ensues:
Though Wilbur’s character is flamboyantly gay, it doesn’t feel like anyone is pushing any kind of agenda. As Harriet’s hero, he’s a very likable character. And this is the world of fashion, after all, so having such a character is accurate for the overall story.
His one scene with his husband is very chaste, and there aren’t any vulgar pride parades or sexual scenes that are so often pushed onto young viewers these days. He does remark that Harriet’s principal is “fine” after finding out his last name is “Fiennes.”
But there is one concerning line that might be a deal-breaker for some. In episode 10, “Chapter Ten,” after Harriet’s dad Richard (Tim Downie) comes to the rescue with a dress for Harriet to wear to an important fashion event, Wilbur, excited after seeing the dress proclaims, “God, that man. Got me so hard.”
It was so out of place with the tone and feel of the entire show that I wondered if he meant something non-sexual by it. Even if it was sexual, it was said so quickly and under his breath that it wouldn’t be a dealbreaker for me as a parent, especially since we all know that no Hollywood production is ever going to be perfect. Also, it wasn’t worth ruining the entire show for just that one line, in my opinion.
But some may understandably not want their teen(s) exposed to it, so we’ll let you be the judge:
♪ That's what I'll tell myself to make me feel pretty ♪ ♪ In the back of my mind there's a reason ♪ ♪ When I cannot seem to talk when I see him ♪
Wilbur: Mais non.
Richard: Mais oui!
Wilbur: Okay get it up, get it up. Go, go, go, go. God, that man. Got me so hard.
Really, compared to most productions we’ve covered that were geared towards teens, Geek Girl is still a breath of fresh air even with the one questionable line, in my opinion. The rest of the show should be proof to Hollywood that you don’t need vulgar language, sex, drugs or a political agenda to make a show interesting or entertaining.
Speaking of vulgar language, Harriet continuously mutters the term “sugar cookies” throughout the show when she’s frustrated rather than swearing, which is both adorable and a nice change of pace from the norm:
Annabel: Harriet, time to go!
Harriet: Okay, focus, you're doing this for Nat.
Annabel: You should wear the bumblebee shirt.
Richard: Don't you think it gives me a bit of a belly?
Annabel: No. And I like your belly. It's cute.
Richard: Cute? Just what every nearly 40-year-old man wants to hear.
Annabel: Dashing. Suave.
Richard: Yes.
Harriet: Devastating. Why can't you two just politely loathe each other like normal parents?
Annabel: You look very cool today, sweetheart.
Harriet: I do not, Annabel. And if you mean "calm and collected," then...not even close. Sugar cookies. If my 40-year-old stepmom thinks I look cool, I've got it wrong...yet again.
Her stepmom almost slips with the “f” word, but ends up saying the word “fudge” instead. Harriet’s parents are as cute as she is when they sneak onto various sets during a perfume campaign Harriet ends up being cast in, and playfully frolic together like they’re kids again:
Annabel: No, no, Rich! You most definitely can't! No, I most definitely can, get the camera, get the camera!
Yuji: Why are there two middle-aged tourists in my bathtub?
Assistant: Your guess is as good as mine. I'll handle it.
Sure, it could be seen as a bit hokey, but we’ll take hokey and wholesome over raunchy and laden with propaganda any day - especially since teens are the target audience.
Altogether, all ten episodes are sweet, lighthearted, inspiring and fun, and they make for a great summer binge. (Spoiler ahead!) There’s an innocent romance between Harriet and a fellow male model, rivalry between Harriet and a jealous, vengeful top female model she ends up unseating, triumph over said rival as well as the bullies in her school, and estrangement then redemption/forgiveness with her best friend Natalie.
If you long for the days of wholesome television, you’ll absolutely love Geek Girl.
