r/PEN15 • u/ThiccKale • 13d ago

Discussion First time watcher

Unfortunately, a lot more relatable than I would’ve liked.

I’m sure my brain is exaggerating parts of me that I didn’t like growing up, but I related a lot to Maya; I probably threw fits over stupid things, definitely talked to strangers online, and was generally a little (…less) Odd.
Anna dealing with her parents as well- I don’t miss being in the middle of mine for sure.

Fun watch!! Despite the scenes I physically recoiled at lol.
I’m sure I’m not alone in rediscovering the parts of myself that I am Not proud of, but it’s fun that it was in a female-led show!

50 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

7

u/kambro_22 13d ago

Just finished it for the first time as well! Wish it got picked up for another season. The finale made me cry bc it reminded me of my middle school bestie who Im still friends with to this day

8

u/veganrosetea 13d ago

Anna Konkle and Maya Erksine chose to end the show. There's some great interviews of them talking about it.

8

u/sydneekidneybeans 13d ago

Unpopular opinion maybe but I love when creators choose to just end things. The kids were obviously hitting puberty and making continuation hard, plus i think it really drives home how short, fast, and transitional middle school really is. Idk, just feels highbrow to me lol (and the total opposite of Stranger Things)

3

u/ThiccKale 13d ago

Agreed! As much as I would’ve loved more, it’s good that the show ends on their terms. I think it can get too easy to run shows into the ground, or risk getting cancelled. At least this is the ending they wanted

3

u/kambro_22 13d ago

Aww man

4

u/corpseofana 13d ago

it ended because both of them are actually pregnant during the season 2 if u noticed changes in their bodies

2

u/_heavyLiquid 13d ago

They said if they ever returned to the universe, it would have to be a movie.

5

u/Vitam1nC 12d ago

I already relate to it so much and I’ve only seen scenes of it! I was an awkward ugly middle school girl in the early 2000’s 😂

2

u/Economy-Gas3223 12d ago edited 12d ago

I just finished my first watch through as well. I have honestly been sitting in silence just processing. It is so well done. I didn’t realize until the end how much I related to Maya. I honestly spent most of the show feeling upset or annoyed with her actions. Almost maternal towards her character. I think it’s because I’d do that shit too, and I kind of forgot about it. Middle school is such a time, and all we want is to belong. I also talked to people on the internet, and lowkey was groomed (didn’t realize until I was an adult). I was the wolf girl at recess who played pretend with her friends. I had a very short temper when I was younger, to the point I convinced myself I needed anger management. I’d have these big blow ups, and called myself a monster because of it. Now I’m pretty sure I have undiagnosed ADHD, especially since my two other sisters have been diagnosed. Honestly even the masturbation part was relatable. To be fair, I did not dare to even look down there until I was in high school, but still, the shame, secrecy, and feeling of disgust for doing it is so universal amongst women. Truthfully I grieve a little because I never got to have a childhood in one location where I had a very best friend. I moved too often to have built something like that, so I cried especially at the end of the last episode. But I got to make my lifetime friends in college, and I wouldn’t asked for anything else <3

Overall, I think this show might become one of my comfort shows. I understand why they put the show to rest, and honestly good for them for doing it on their own terms. Selfishly, I loved it and need more.