Two years after a successful debut on Netflix, Ginny & Georgia is back.
The show, which tells the story of Ginny Miller and her mother Georgia adapting to a new life in New England after the passing of Georgia’s husband, debuted its second season earlier this year.
Featuring a higher emphasis on mental health and race, the second season redeems itself from the lackluster dialogue of its first season.
Ginny’s struggle with self-harm, which was overlooked in the first season, takes center stage this season as she reveals to her father, Zion, that she’s been self-harming.
Many have praised the authenticity of the situation. Seeing a character who struggles with self-harm and seeks professional help sends a good message to viewers who may be struggling with the same malady.
Another subject season two touches on is the depression that Marcus, Ginny’s love interest, faces after losing his best friend. Despite loving Ginny, he breaks up with her after abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with the grief.
While Marcus’ descent is evident throughout the season, episode eight focuses on him by showing a depressive episode through his point of view, which helps viewers detect the signs of depression they might be experiencing.
Ginny & Georgia also explored body dysmorphia through Abby, one of Ginny’s friends who tapes her legs to look skinnier.
Another change in the show’s second season is its approach to race.
In season one, the show faced backlash after an episode in which Ginny and her half-Taiwanese boyfriend, Hunter, argued over which of their racial experiences is worse.
Season two fixed this by showing how Ginny, who has a Black father and a white mother, encounters casual racism and has trouble making her mother comprehend Black struggles.
Ginny also calls out her English teacher who exhibits racist behavior. Her confrontation leads to an uprising against the teacher that encourages other students to speak out about her behavior.
The show’s second season incorporates fan feedback after season one and serves as a positive venue for awareness of the racial and mental health issues today’s youth face.
In an age in which most shows oversimplify teenage struggles, Ginny & Georgia is a clear example of how media can be used as a tool to elevate representation and social awareness.
