It's a shame how under the radar this series has flown, at least in my circles. If you happen to stumble upon it, know that it's more than worth your time.
Alexia Dox is a future superstar with impressive range, fabulous comedic timing, and captivating presence, and I'm surprised that I haven't heard of her before now. Tenea Intriago is just as lovely in her delivery and her physical embodiment of Kat. Intriago's Kat is all shameless confidence; a perfect counterpart to Dox's anxious and awkward June. The two make for a comedy duo endlessly entertaining to watch and root for, even as two flawed characters who make their fair share of mistakes and social faux pas. They're both quirky yet relatable, both totally extra yet totally realistic. It's a wonderful balance that the show pulls off well enough that I can't pick a favorite between the two. Kat and June are equally fun to follow, in their own scenes and in their shared ones.
One of the biggest achievements of the series is that every character is their own unique character who has never existed in another show. There are no archetypes or filler roles. Even minor characters with minimal lines and one-off appearances have prominent personality quirks that make them memorable and loveable. Nick Fink is fantastic as a sexy hipster artist who mansplains tattoos and sells painted rocks for a living. Montana Roesch stands out as an ex-alcoholic film extra who gives an impassioned, impromptu soliloquy on her past then manages to fling herself off the wagon. Kelli Goss pulls off a kind-hearted, high-end prostitute who defies any preconceived notions the audience may hold about her. And those are just the single episode guest roles. In the regular supporting roles, there's Sasheer Zamata as an airy yet semi-successful manager of a pharmaceutical company whose sheer averageness makes her a hilarious role model for June. There's Emily Hinkler and Elizabeth Hinkler as Kat's rowdy best friends, two lovably strange thespian twins whose every spoken sentence is weirder than the last and successfully implies an unspoken personal history that only twins would have and that the audience only gets beautifully interesting glimpses of. There's Justin Kirk as a depressed widow/landlord who Kat and June are obsessed with yet never pay attention to.
It's the writing that makes even the strangest characters feel real and believable. The script carries a confidence that is reflected in the actors' performances. Every character is well fleshed-out and fills a full space in this universe, no matter how briefly we see those characters on screen. The effect is stunning, in that I find myself asking questions and wanting to know more about every person who is seen or even mentioned. How did Hannah get that neck brace? How did Kat meet Molly and Tessa? What are David's kids like? What is Kat's sister like? Who the hell is Pepper? I'm confident the show could pull out both unexpected and hilarious answers for any of these questions and would still leave me wanting to know more. Future seasons could build upon any of the existing characters, and I would be glad to get to know them better. The show has an infinite potential of options to explore in future seasons, and I sincerely hope that it does get future seasons.
The show also has surprisingly good rewatch value. I lost count, but I want to say I've seen the first season all the way through at least five times in the two months since its release. (Some episodes I've watched more than others. The show has a few seasonal arcs, but you can also watch the episodes out of order without being lost.) I still laugh out loud at the same jokes, and I still find myself noticing new little details, like the rotating list of puns on the chalkboard in Kat's room.
The set design is great; lots of bright colors that keep the show visually stimulating and lots of details that work well with the character's personalities. Kat's room says everything you need to know about her, from the light up pizza sign to the chill swing, and June's boring office work environment is a great contrast to her spastic thoughts and wacky outfits. Wardrobe is also fantastic, particularly in the case of June with her "Depression-era home ec" dinosaur sweaters and adorably quirky strawberry slice and bagged goldfish earrings. Kat's wardrobe is also reflective of her personality and the twins receive some aptly strange and androgynous fashion choices that are, in some episodes, scene-making.
The writing is tight. The plot flows. The quick editing keeps the pace fast and engaging. The wit is sharp and dry. The score is fun and memorable.
I could honestly find something good to say about every aspect of this show, and if there's something missing in this review that you were wondering about, I'm going to go ahead and guess that the thing you're thinking of is done well too. Watch Overthinking with Kat & June.
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