Something to consider while watching…

One thing I haven’t seen discussed too much is keeping in mind that this story takes place in the past. And while of course we are watching with a 2025/2026 lens, I think it’s important to view the show as a (IMO accurate representation of a) moment in time, without imposing our present day morals and way of experiencing the world on these characters. Easier said than done but as someone who is the same age the characters and was in college during these years, I find the toxicity of the environment they exist in to be really true to life.

Even thought it wasn’t *that* long ago, 2008/2009 was a MUCH much different time. Pre-Me Too, early days of social media. It was ripe for slut shaming (look at how female celebrities were treated and talked about during that time), and kind of a toxic time for body image and alcohol and drug abuse. Even in 2015 when the engagement & wedding are set we were dealing with things like the Brock Turner case (re: sexual assault).

There are sooo many themes in the show that transcend the time period it’s set in, but I think it’s important to take into consideration the time it’s set in too. I think it informs the way some of the characters, especially the female characters, act and react to the world around them (not Steven, he’s a vile narcissist that defies time).

Not sure if anyone else is the same age as the characters (in college 2008/2009), but personally it’s been eye opening to me to see the culture of that time play out on screen and be so thankful that some things have really changed for the better since then!