Nowhere Boys Season One – Back to Reality?
[Please note there are spoilers for those who have not finished watching the first season of Nowhere Boys]
From the moment I started watching Nowhere Boys I was curious as to how the storyline would play out. Now that I have finished watching season one I am happy that any fears I might have had regarding an ‘and it was all a dream’ sequence were completely unfounded. Instead, the experiences and insights the boys gained; of themselves, their families and each other were anything but lost when they returned to their real world.
It is fair to say that Matt Testro’s Jake has always adored his mum but it is his relationship with his dad which will be fascinating to watch. Will Jake continue to see his ‘loser dad’ in the same light after his return or will he view his dad as someone who has unrealised potential? It will also be interesting to see whether Jake’s more caring side continues to develop and whether he is brave enough to stand by it. Jake carrying around the rainbow unicorn that Mike gives him as a thank you was priceless. He carried it around for almost an entire episode! The thing is that Jake is the kind of guy who can get away with something like that and not lose any ‘cool’ points in the process. Whether he chooses to use that kind of social power for good in his real life is the question.
Joel Lok as Andy has gone through many transitions in the alternative reality. He now believes that magic is real and he has also had a taste of popularity, both generally and by being the specific target of one girl’s affection. Both experiences were previously unexplored territory for him and have increased his personal confidence. Although Andy will probably always be a ‘nerd’ at heart his growing belief in himself will mean that he is not the easy target he used to be. It seems like Andy has also gained a deeper respect and appreciation of his family, especially his grandmother. In saying that I don’t believe he will let himself be as overprotected as he has been in the past.
Rahart Adams’s Sam has had a mirror held up to himself and he didn’t like what he saw. Sam was so desperate to return to the real world because there was so much he wanted to make amends for and do differently. His position within his family as the adored baby son was very much taken for granted by him. It was only when he saw that position being so easily replaced that he realised how lucky he was and grateful he should have been. Of course there is also his relationship with Mia. I think it is more than just seeing her with another guy that made him realise how much he loves her. He has been able to watch her from a distance and really began to see her inner beauty and just how special she is. Will Sam is able to show Mia how much he cares and respects her back in the real world or has he left things too late?
Our fourth Nowhere Boys is Dougie Baldwin as Felix. Felix’s journey has opened him up to others and his effect on the world. It took him a long time to be honest with the rest of the boys and to take full responsibility for their situation. Can we blame Felix for wanting his younger brother Oscar to walk again? Of course not. However, the lengths and risks he took were short sighted. The honourable thing would have been for Felix to be upfront as soon as they found themselves in the alternative reality. If he had done that though there would have been little chance of the boys working together as they had not bonded yet. By the time the truth came out all of the boys had had their own personal revelations and they were committed to working with each other.
Crucial to the boys experience in the alternative reality is Michala Banas’ Phoebe. Phoebe very much has her own agenda and while she was willing to assist the boys it is only because she is desperate to solve the mysterious disappearance of her sister Alice. I have to admit that until it was revealed I had no clue that the demon was Alice. It throws up a very interesting twist and although the boys made it home there is still a strong sense that things are still not quite right. The magic shop is closed, Phoebe is missing but Alice has made an appearance. And of course none of the boys are quite as they were, with their new elemental powers. This time it is not only them though; Oscar seems to have gained the gift of insight and once again the boy’s mums seem to be affected by their sons. All this guarantees that here is no chance of them returning to their previous, separate lives, if indeed this is actually their ‘real’ lives at all…
What was your favourite part of season one? Do you have any theories about what season two will have in store for us?