One issue with this type of mini-series, running a total of around 6 hours over 8 episodes, is that by the time you can judge if it is worthwhile viewing you have seen most of it. So it requires a lot of trust, that the script and actors will make it worthwhile.
My wife and I watched it streaming on Amazon Prime, usually two back-to-back episodes in a single night, and we both found it worthwhile viewing. Entertaining and meaningful, with a bunch of really interesting characters. The main downside is the profanity level is quite high, with excessive swearing in all episodes by most characters. Not realistic and mostly unnecessary.
It is at its core a story about human trafficking and a covert organization with a mission to stop it and rescue kids. In the first episode there is what appears to be an unfortunate vehicular accident, teen Mickey's dad does not survive. But as the story continues an older lady known locally as the "Bat Lady", living in a spooky older house, whispers that his dad isn't dead. So, much of the middle episodes deal partially with Mickey trying to find out if his dad really is alive.
The old woman is played wonderfully by veteran actress, and one of my favorites over the years, Tovah Feldshuh who, with appropriate makeup, looks older than her actual years.
Yes, there are a number of well-worn teen tropes on display, but the over-arching theme includes students who started out ignoring each other gradually becoming friends and working together to get at the root of the issues.
And yes, it is fiction, from the mind of writers. Not all of it is realistic but when we watch programming like this the main requirement is "Is it entertaining?" And yes, it is.
