There is nothing in life like the awkwardness and confusion that accompanies being a 7th grader. Hulu’s “Pen15” perfectly captures the memories we’d all choose to gloss over at those boring school reunions or while thumbing through outdated yearbooks. Now, the show is back with an all-new set of stories from the lives of Maya and Anna.
Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle’s acclaimed comedy was a hit without the usual fanfare that accompanies many streaming releases. A big reason why it worked was the honest and authentic look at what makes this an excruciating part of life. Not quite a teen, no longer a child, the characters understandably have no clue about what the future holds and no idea what is expected of them in an ever-changing world. The heartbreak of being misunderstood, the ideals that lie in a true friendship, and the pitfalls of trusting the wrong classmates deciphered by creators who have experienced it all.
In Season 2, the pair are set to explore more of what makes this time so confounding. The fairly recent time period provides an opportunity for its leads to be insecure about everything, society being the decade changing bellwether of instilling insecurity. One theme that seems prime for the show’s treatment is how women view their bodies at a young age.
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Maya and Anna are seen working out at a frenzied pace, with Maya even appearing in a larger than life muscular costume. In what is sure to draw the most attention among viewers, Maya and Anna also discover their own anatomy. It’s a healthy glimpse at how girls learn about their bodies in a world where healthy body image doesn’t always come first.
Season 2 of “Pen15” will be split with the first half premiering September 18 on Hulu. Later episodes are set to arrive in 2021.