If you’ve been following Henlit Central for any length of time, you’ll know that I have a soft spot for dramedies. Give me a story that can make me laugh one minute and reach for a tissue the next, and I’m all in. Life itself is a dramedy, isn’t it? Rarely all comedy, never entirely drama, but usually a complicated mix of both.
That’s one of the reasons I was immediately drawn to The Four Seasons on Netflix.
Based on the 1981 film, the series follows three longtime couples whose annual seasonal vacations are disrupted when one couple announces their separation. What unfolds is a thoughtful, funny, and often poignant exploration of friendship, marriage, aging, and reinvention.
And I was thrilled that Netflix has renewed it for a second season!
What makes The Four Seasons special isn’t the premise itself. Stories about marriage and divorce aren’t new. What makes this series stand out is the way it tackles serious life issues while keeping a sense of humor. The characters are flawed, relatable, occasionally frustrating, and entirely human.
That’s the beauty of a good dramedy.
Life-changing conversations happen around dinner tables. Tensions simmer beneath vacation plans. Long-held resentments surface alongside moments of genuine affection. There are laugh-out-loud scenes followed by moments that make you stop and think about your own relationships.
But perhaps the biggest surprise for me has been who I’ve been watching it with.
My 25 year old daughter.
In a world where our viewing habits often differ dramatically, we’ve both found ourselves equally invested in these characters and their stories. Naturally, I decided to “interview” her about what she was getting out of a series centered primarily on people in their 50s.
Her answer surprised me.
She told me she likes how the show tackles serious issues in a relatable way. She enjoys the acting, the range of characters, and particularly the perspective of the younger generation.
But what she finds most fascinating is watching relationships evolve over time.
For many younger viewers, romance is often portrayed as the exciting beginning like the butterflies, the chemistry, the pursuit. The Four Seasons shows what comes after that. It explores how passion can gradually become domestic life, how couples can sometimes drift into feeling more like roommates than romantic partners, and how easy it is to take each other for granted.
Yet the series doesn’t present these challenges as inevitable endings.
Instead, it shows that relationships require attention, communication, and commitment.
As my daughter pointed out, it’s both funny and enlightening to see adults navigating these realities. It offers a glimpse into a future many younger people haven’t yet considered, a future where love isn’t just about finding the right person but continuing to choose them through life’s ups and downs.
For her, the series reinforces the idea that long-term relationships aren’t perfect, but they can endure. Challenges can be worked through. Difficult conversations can be had. Relationships evolve, but that doesn’t mean they have to end.
As someone in midlife, I appreciate the show’s honesty. As a mother, I love that it’s sparked conversations between generations.
Because while my daughter and I may be watching the same show from different life stages, we’re both finding something meaningful in it.
She’s seeing possibilities for the future.
I’m seeing reflections of the present.
And together, we’re being reminded that every relationship, whether it’s a friendship, a marriage, or the bond between a mother and daughter, requires care, patience, and a willingness to keep showing up.
Like the changing seasons themselves, relationships evolve. Some seasons are easier than others. Some challenge us. Some surprise us.
And the best ones, much like The Four Seasons, leave us laughing, reflecting, and looking forward to what comes next.
