Friends from College

Preview from RCR Entertainment Reporter, Fiona Zaring, Follow her on IG at @FionaZaring

Netflix’s Friends From College is finally back for season 2! Fans were captivated by season 1, even though some critics were unkind. The series was created by Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco and follows a group of Harvard grads reunited and living in NYC, based on the creators own experiences. The dramedy has an all-star cast featuring Keegan-Michael Key, Cobie Smulders, Annie Parisse, Nat Faxon, Fred Savage, Jae Suh Park, and Billy Eichner.

One of the main focuses of Season 1, the controversial affair between Ethan (Keegan-Michael Key) and Sam (Annie Parisse), was too uncomfortable for some to appreciate the smart, witty comedy and complex characters. Netflix’s decision to renew the series was in part due to the fact that even fans who didn’t like it couldn’t stop watching.

The show is unique because each episode evokes a wave of emotions in viewers. You want to be a part of the gang, then you are pissed at them for ruining their lives, then you’re anxious on their behalf waiting for someone to get caught, all while laughing at the brilliant comedic breaks. It’s hard to decide if you love or hate these characters, but you are certainly entertained. The eight-episode first season moved quickly and left off with quite the multi-leveled cliffhanger: can Ethan forgive Lisa, will Lisa EVER find out about the affair, does Nick love Lisa???

The gang returns for season 2, picking up one year after secrets start to be revealed at Sam’s 40th birthday party. The show creators understood fan and critic frustration that there was no punishment for characters bad behavior. At the start of season 2, we find out that all of the skeletons in their closets have been revealed, causing the group to drift apart. While Lisa (Cobie Smulders) and Ethan (Keegan-Michael Key) aren’t speaking for obvious reasons we can’t forget just how involved everyone was in everyone else’s business. Most of the group is not on speaking terms with at least one person. It’s clear that none of them were actually able to escape from the messy choices they made unscathed.

Max (Fred Savage) and Felix (Billy Eichner) worked out their relationship issues in the year leading up to this season. Episode 1 reunites the group for their engagement party. The dust has settled, it’s time for everyone to deal with their baggage and attempt to repair their relationships, without ruining Max’s big day. We know that Lisa has mysteriously gone off the grid, Ethan is still on the quest to conquer the world of young adult novels, Sam is trying to rescue her marriage, and being caught in the middle has taken a toll on Marianne (Jae Suh Park). It seems like Nick (Nat Faxon) may still have a soft spot for Lisa, but he has a new love interest played by the hilarious Sarah Chalke.

Season 2 of Friends From College looks like it won’t disappoint fans of season 1, and it should win over critics and viewers who weren’t quite sold the first time around. The 8 new episodes hit Netflix on January 11th.

About Friends from College
Years after becoming friends at Harvard, Ethan, Lisa, Sam, Nick, Max and Marianne are heading into a new era — their 40s. This series, created and executive produced by Nicholas Stoller, delves into interwoven and complicated relationships, including former romantic entanglements and comedic explorations of old bonds. As everyone tries to manage their lives as adults, they also experience nostalgia. For more info and to put on your watch list click https://www.netflix.com/title/80117485