Feeling drained by shows that revolve around the wealthy? Or perhaps you’re in the mood for a teen drama steeped in mystery? If so, a new Prime Video series might just catch your eye, blending both themes in a way that’s rather enticing.
Opening scene: “Something terrible happened last summer, and I can’t recall who hurt me or what actually happened,” reveals Cadence Sinclair Eastman (Emily Allyn Lind) as she lies on a rocky shore late at night, apparently injured.
Key Insights: In “Summer 16,” Sinclair poses for a photo with her best friends, Gatt Patil (Shubam Maheshwari), along with her cousins Mirren Sinclair Sheffield (Esther McGregor) and Johnny Sinclair Dennis (Joseph Zada) on Beechwood Island.
On this island near Martha’s Vineyard, you’ll find the homes of Cadence’s grandparents, Harris and Tipper Sinclair (David Morse, Wendy Cruson), and her mother Penny Sinclair (Katelyn Fitzgerald), along with other family members. Since her divorce, Penny has been in a long-term relationship with Gatt’s uncle, Ed (Rahul Kohli).
The group had thought Ed was in India, so they’re thrilled when Gatt returns. He met them back in “Summer 8,” and he and Cadence have been close friends ever since. They’ve often been labeled as “liars,” but as the summer unfolds, a deeper connection seems to develop between Johnny and Mirren, despite their efforts to maintain a platonic front.
Cadence’s sisters appear to be caught up in their own narratives; Penny is trying to recover from her divorce, while Beth feels neglected in her marriage. Meanwhile, a party boat in the bay draws Harris’s unwanted attention and encourages Johnny and Mirren to check it out.
Cadence and Gatt initially enjoy a flirtation, but their budding romance takes a turn when Johnny and Mirren obtain fake IDs to sneak onto the party boat for a meteor shower. But what unfolds leaves Cadence stunned, as she has no memory of the events that follow a year later.
What does it echo? We Were Liars, adapted by Julie Plec and Karina Adrie Mackenzie from E. Lockhart’s novel, shares some thematic elements with Plec’s earlier series The Vampire Diaries (minus the vampires, of course). It also has a flavor reminiscent of other teen thrillers like Yellowjackets and One of Us Is Lying.
Our Take: The first episode of We Were Liars doesn’t fully reveal the core of the story. Cadence’s return to Beechwood Island a year after her accident and her attempts to piece together the truth are central, incorporating various family members and lingering past relationships. The narrative toggles between “Summer 16” and “Summer 17,” with hints of flashbacks to “Summer 8” that delve into Cadence and Gatt’s friendship beginnings.
While the plot elements are engaging enough, much of it feels like the standard fare of teenage thrillers from recent years. Honestly, I found myself more invested in the stories of the adult characters, particularly Penny, Beth, and Carrie, rather than the teens. Their interactions radiate a sibling energy reminiscent of Bad Sisters. More often than not, however, we’re stuck in the predictable dynamics of the teenage narrative.
Even the romance between Cadence and Gatt comes off as somewhat cliché. Sure, these feelings have simmered for years, but they bubble to the surface amid the familiar backdrop of teenage hormone drama. It’s not that the first episode is devoid of chemistry; rather, it feels underwhelming. There’s a sitcom-like awkwardness that halts the “big kiss” moment, alongside a repetitive dialogue that dampens the pacing.
So, is this show more about the secrets of the kids or the adults? Yes, adult secrets could offer richer intrigue, but teens appear to take center stage.
Sex and Skin: Mirren catches her mother in an awkward moment with the owner of a boat named “Salty Dunn” (Tim Rozon).
Final Scene: Two months later, we find Cadence by the coastline saying, “It’s important to remember… we were liars.”
Sleeper Star: Caitlyn Fitzgerald adeptly portrays the archetype of a troubled, affluent woman, reminiscent of her role in Masters of Sex.
Highlight from the Pilot: “I’ve had 18 years of marriage, and I’m not even thinking about him,” Penny quips about her ex. Her admission adds a layer of contemplation about her past.
Our Verdict: Skip it. Although the performances are solid and a few characters spark interest, we found ourselves losing patience with the teenage focus, yearning for depth that the narration often lacked.
