There’s a certain quality to multi-generational family dramas. They often unfold at a deliberate pace, slowly peeling back layers of family secrets, even when the dynamics aren’t always harmonious. The new South African family drama captures this essence, filling in narrative gaps along the way.
Summertide: Would you like to stream it or skip it?
Opening shot: A tranquil sea. A car meanders along the coast, revealing the village of Simon’s Town in South Africa.
Key Points: Martin Field (Frank Lautenbach) returns to his hometown with his children, Tristan (Jan Kombbrink) and Lucy (Evangelina Hallock). Following the death of his wife, Julia (Amalia Wise), he feels compelled to honor his promise to return to Simon’s Town. However, since they’ve lived in Cypress for most of their lives, it’s a mixed bag. Lucy looks forward to the change, while Tristan is less enthusiastic, particularly due to leaving his girlfriend behind.
Once they arrive at Martin’s parents’ home, we meet Jack (Andre Jacobs), a former naval officer, and Wilma (Terry Norton), who aren’t particularly thrilled with Martin’s career as a marine conservationist. His younger brother, Gavin (Tyron Kew), lives there as well. Wilma takes it upon herself to help out at the local Penguin Conservatory. Martin, on the other hand, unwittingly stumbles upon chaos when he’s almost involved in an incident with one of the local penguins.
While trying to find a boat to work on cleaning the bay, he spots a rusty container he knows well at the local market. It’s now in the hands of his former student, Rebecca Solomons (Monique Rockman), a chef who had a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York but returned home after her father’s passing. She’s now with Gavin, albeit casually—though he doesn’t exactly agree with her lifestyle choices.
Martin struggles with the grief of losing Julia, which becomes evident in scenes where he dives with Gavin and Rebecca. He grapples with the dynamics he shares with his father, who looks down on him for being immature in his forties. Tensions with Tristan escalate, particularly when Tristan clashes with Wesley du Plessis (Matthew Vey). After his girlfriend books him a ticket back to Cypress, he ultimately decides to leave in frustration.
What shows does it remind you? Summertide feels reminiscent of Everwood or a more contemporary series like Sullivan’s Crossing.
Our Take: Summertide unfolds slowly but has an intriguing premise. Martin’s return to his hometown post-tragedy sets the stage for exploring deep family dynamics and unresolved romances. The first episode effectively establishes Martin’s world, even if there are a few narrative missteps along the way.
Some of these missteps feel substantial. For instance, the revelation about what happened to Tristan felt a bit disjointed—often relying on a mention of Cyprus multiple times before things clicked. The family’s lack of clear communication about his whereabouts, despite knowing where he was headed, also raised questions.
We delve into such details mainly because we hope they don’t reflect the overall writing of the series. Currently, the details surrounding Julia’s death are vague; it seems linked to the water. The complications between Rebecca and Gavin appear nuanced, with her wanting a more serious connection while staying casual. When Gavin interacts with a waitress (Tanya Van Graan), it leaves the audience wondering about potential romantic developments.
With the first season consisting of 52 episodes, there may be a reason for these gradual reveals. The slower pace allows the Field family to evolve and connect, fostering a warm chemistry among the cast. Even when tensions arise, it’s this interplay that grounds the series.
Sex and Skin: None.
Farewell shot: As Rebecca watches Martin’s family interacting with the penguins from the boat they sold to her, there’s a sorrowful element to her expression that hints at deeper feelings.
Sleeper Star: Award this to the penguin roaming the town. If you’re surprised by a penguin in South Africa, check out the documentary series Penguin Town for context.
Most pilot Y-line: The conflict between Tristan and Wesley sparks over rather trivial reasons, but then again, they are just teenage boys—doesn’t take much to ignite their tempers.
Our Call: Stream it. Summertide is a series to settle into, as the storytelling takes its time. But what truly captivates is the stunning South African landscape, the warmth of family drama, and the occasional penguin sighting.
