Sort Of

I had heard nothing about this show and just set my PVR to record all the new CBC shows of the summer. This was defo my favourite because it doesn't have a loud neurotic supposedly-funny girl-who-should-be-a-woman-but-can't-get-past-her-neuroses-and-ticks at the centre of it (which I mostly forgave Moonshine for (but not completely) and I certainly do not ever forgive Strays for transplanting from Kim's Convenience). Such a relief.

The central character, Sabi, is so compelling and charismatic that I watched in a glow of compassion/love. It's very odd when that happens.

I don't think this show is particularly intended to be funny, so unlike some reviewers, that wasn't a negative for me. I think it is intended to be thoughtful and poignant and gentle about tough situations and tough circumstances. I felt that and I liked it. I liked the thoughtful pace of the action.

I also love Sabi's fashion sense - they have style in everything.

I really hope they do NOT get a better comedic writer on the show. It was lovely as was.

Every once in a while, there is a character in art that I wish I could know. Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, from Gentlemen in Moscow, Fleabag's main character and the refreshing lead character, Sabi, in "Sort Of." Sabi struggles with where to draw the line of showing up for others in need that you care about and excepting/valuing yourself enough to show up for your own best life. And the struggle of figuring out what your own best life looks like. For me this is the main question of the piece and the writing is pristine. It's funny, sensitive and poignant all at once. Biala Baig is a wonderful actress and writer. I can't emphasis enough how much I love this show!

I was feeling just OK about ep's 1 and 2, but the third ep. Really found me getting into the character and identifying with their feelings and issues and struggles.

If you're unsure about this show after 2 episodes, I recommend sticking with it. It does get better, and it is well written and draws you in.

I wanted so badly to fall in love with this because I loved the character of Sabi and the story they were telling. I had a harder time with some of the supporting characters that just didn't feel very real. The last two episodes are really excellent, I think they might've found their groove and I hope next season builds on this.

Lockdown has narrowed my circle of friends and people so I loved engaging with this unique story of Sabi. They are beautifully complex and I was hooked from the first episode. It's clever in offering insights into the LGTBIQ community as well as pressures of migrant children. Support characters are also unique and engaging and I learnt how to use the pronouns 'they' and 'them'.