Binge Or Cringe: ‘Boarders’ Is A Humorous High School Dramedy Lacking In Confidence
Prestigious institutions’ affectations of diversity are often unveiled as selfish facades to garner public support. Inclusivity has become the norm, not because corporations and institutions care about the root issue, but because it’s economically beneficial to do so; this phenomenon kicks off Tubi’s Boarders. After a viral video engulfs the prestigious St. Gilbert’s College in controversy, five Black teens are given full scholarships in order to dispel the negative reputation the school has garnered. Each student is gifted in their own way, yet the constant racial tension in this predominantly white boarding school leaves the South London quintet in an all too realistic fish-out-of-water dilemma. The characters are lovable, their environment is dreadful, and the contrast between the two results in a series brimming with charisma and social awareness, despite some monotony. Tubi’s first original scripted series eloquently interweaves criticism of higher education, class elitism, and racial injustice thanks to the cast’s amazing synergy. Boarders highlights the plight of the U.K.’s downtrodden youth. Even though its commentary on race is often platitudinous, an amazing cast and relevant discussions about poverty, inequality, and institutionalized prejudice douse the series in charm and humor.
Meet The Quintet
St. Gilbert’s College is elite in every sense of the word: expensive uniforms, historical significance, and plenty of legacy admissions. However, its reputation dwindles as a viral video of students led by Rupert (Niky Wardley), the school’s vehemently hostile and racist top donor, antagonize and abuse an unhoused man. Headmaster Bernard (Derek Riddell) decides to rebrand the school by implementing a diversity, equity, and inclusion team, and enrolling Black scholars as part of their new outreach program.
Jaheim (Josh Tedeku) is a brash, yet brilliant student immersed in the wrong crowd. He knows he’s leaning toward a path of self-destruction and decides to make an example of himself for his brother and grandma. Leah (Jodie Campbell) is a firecracker, politically outspoken and eager to contend with the racial history and prejudices plaguing St. Gilbert. Femi (Aruna Jalloh) is desperate to uphold his Nigerian family’s tough expectations. Toby (Sekou Diaby) is a charming businessman looking for any avenue to garner revenue. Omar (Myles Kamwendo) is a queer cartoonist scared to show his authentic self. Each character plays off each other seamlessly thanks to this impressive cast of newcomers. In particular, Tedeku and Campbell steal the show. Despite the political radicalism at the heart of the narrative, the series doesn’t say anything bold or new, instead opting for uninteresting social commentary that feels entirely derivative. Moments of political grandeur — Leah protesting during the school’s award ceremony and Jaheim’s speech — feel terribly hollow when the series makes no effort to highlight the root causes of bigotry in academia. While not explicitly over-the-top, the series presents racism as a vehicle that drives the plot instead of meaningfully engaging with the politics of its characters. It’s shallow and unproductive, ultimately trying to bite off more than it can chew.
As with any high-school dramedy, our characters indulge in material excess, drugs, and relationships, yet it never feels artificial. They struggle adapting to St. Gilbert’s posh, exclusive monoculture due to their unique social upbringing, which subconsciously veers them toward harmful decisions against their best interests. What Boarders lacks in effective social critique, it makes up for in excellent character work and hilarious antics. Each character — except for Femi, whose character is largely underdeveloped — exudes a deep insecurity hidden beneath self-reliance. It’s heartwarming to watch their self-destructive independence wither away as the season finale approaches. Boarders presents a complex teen narrative willing to venture deep into the psyche of the U.K.’s disadvantaged lower class without sensationalizing their past traumas.
Was It Binge Or Cringe?
Visually, it’s impossible not to gush over Boarder’s beautiful saturation and wonderful production. St. Gilbert’s gothic architecture brilliantly contrasts the vibrant, chaotic characters and storylines within its walls. However, its six-episode runtime leaves character arcs rushed and unfinished, especially for Femi and Rupert. The only emigrant of the group, Femi is the outlier of the bunch, but the series fails to present a meaningful arc for him. Instead, viewers must connect the dots from off-screen events without any guidance. Rupert’s redemption arc is laughable considering his continuous cruelty and racism towards our main characters, not to mention his abhorrent hate crime in the pilot. Despite this, the series’ characters are perfectly witty, creating amazing comedic chemistry between the central cast. Boarders is a high school dramedy worth signing up for. With a longer season and a bolder perspective on tokenism and institutionalized racism, the series could have been a standout among a sea of young adult high school dramedies.
Boarders is a sincere look into the interpersonal lives of five U.K. teens struggling to find themselves in an environment not made for them. Academia has a long history of prejudice towards people of color. Pursuing a higher education has transitioned from a suggestion to a necessity, and Boarders reflects the disparity between social classes in a nuanced, realistic way. Even though the series’ tepid commentary on race leaves much to be desired, Boarders is a bold look into the chaotic world of underprivileged teens looking to better their futures.
Who Will Like It?
Boarders is ripe with eccentric characters and insane hijinks but refuses to embrace the political abrasiveness of its characters. Scared to say what it wants, the series hides behind the characters’ progressivism. Despite this, it’s a wonderful short binge that breathes life into a deteriorating genre. Even though certain character arcs lack cohesion, the series carefully balances a plethora of characters in its short season. Boarders centers on the hostility in “inclusive” spaces, the commodification of diversity, and the otherization that permeates all aspects of society. It’s funny, dark, somewhat disjointed, yet entirely refreshing. All six episodes of Boarders can be streamed on Tubi.