MTV’s ‘Awkward’ season 5 finale review: Learning is fundamental
While we did discuss the possible series finale of “Awkward” earlier this week, we realized that we have not really given it much of its due when it comes to a creative perspective.
So did the show accomplish everything that it set itself out to do? We’re a little mixed on that, mostly because of the mixed messages when it comes to the Jenna / Matty relationship. For much of the series, it’s been taught and reinforced time and time again that these two should be together. In the finale, we saw maturity out of Matty in letting him see her go back to college without any further drama. Sure, there’s a nice message with that, but for all of the years of this show, we feel like viewers did want to see the two of them together at some point. Not having that happen was a little bit of a letdown.
Elsewhere, the show did make some big, welcome moves. While we don’t necessarily want to see Tamara suffer, having her get some comeuppance from her spending ways was appropriate, as was giving her an opportunity to really bounce back and get some redemption for herself. Jake also moving on with his life after that “gap year” proved to be some necessary evolution in his own way. Lissa is continuing to learn more about how she doesn’t want to be a “Palos Hills mom,” and we think that over the course of the past ten episodes the writers have really done a great job when it comes to character development here.
Now, let’s talk Sadie and her own progression. We never really saw the car crash here as necessary, mostly because she was never a complete villain in our eyes in need of some sort of karmic retribution. Instead, she was representative of a certian type of person out there who has her good qualities, but just isn’t someone you rely on. For us, this felt like too big of a stunt, and an incomplete end of the story.
We do hope there is a season 6 to resolve some of the Jenna / Matty and Sadie issues; as it is, this was at least a solid end to season 5 with some humor here and there. Grade: B-.
Abigail
June 4, 2016 @ 10:22 pm
Jenna Hamilton is the most insolent character in history. The ending makes no sense because Jenna’s previous college had a chill, hippie environment which rubbed off on her, CHANGING JENNA. Although Jenna originally wanted to go to SCU because Luke went there, it’s a great school and would’ve helped her with her future endeavors. And she wanted to go there before as well, so she does like and have some interest in the school. If she was going to choose what was best for her SCU would be the answer. And Luke occasionally acts like a douchebag but literally 5 seconds after he says something rude he apologizes- he’s a decent guy! I was praying that Jenna wouldn’t once again fall into Maddy’s trap, but of course, being the predicable idiotic person she is she decides to throw away a great opportunity to crawl after McKibben(and once again most likely break it off due to differences between eachother.) . I know this is difficult for Awkward fans to admit, but Maddy and Jenna just don’t belong together. It never works out between them and it probably never will. I have loved all of the stories between the side characters- this season I was rooting for Tamara and Lisa. The only person who has the leadt common sense and charisma whatsoever is Jenna freaking Hamilton.