In the Spring of 2020, the show Betty was released on HBO. Since it was a random selection on my part, I had no clue what I’d get myself into at the time. Yet, I was pretty pleased when I started watching. The series was lighthearted and refreshing to see at the time. Six years later, I’ve watched the show again to only become more fond of it’s endearing feel. Directed by Crystal Moselle, Betty is a coming of age dramedy based on the 2018 independent film— Skate Kitchen (which was also directed by Crystal Moselle). 

The show follows an all-girl skate group in New York City navigating the typical highs and lows of life in your late teens to early 20’s. Immediately in the first episode, viewers are introduced to the dynamic and charming cast of characters one by one: Janay, Kirt, Honeybear, Camille, and Indigo. Amidst the gorgeous montages of the ladies skating, Betty immerses the audience into their lives where their tackling the messiness of friendships, navigating their identity, and subverting the expectations of the male-dominated environment of the skating world. The title of the show itself flips a derogatory term on its head to show just how active women are as participants when it comes to skateboarding. 

Betty does keep the tone casually optimistic throughout the series. Watching the girls still aim to curate and maintain a sense of community among themselves and other women throughout the show could make anyone’s heart warm. There’s an enchanting authenticity and undeniable relatability with all of the characters that make an appearance. Despite the show’s backdrop, these characters can very well be from another state entirely and still pull a viewer in as if it were a day out with some friends that we’ve all come across in life at one point or another. They could be a version of any one of us. 

On my first watch years ago, the show brought up nostalgic feelings of my own carefree youth. Similar to the crew on the show, there have been so many character developing moments I’ve also experienced around that age. Now, as I’m nearing my 30s, I find that time to be even more precious and fleeting. Betty captures the freeing feeling of exploring your sense of self, embracing those that are around you, and enjoying the time you have with what you love the most against all odds. Its feel-good quality solidifies it for me, not only as a great summer watch, but a comfort show with undeniably effortless appeal.

To watch: Betty is available on HBO Max for streaming