90210 was inherently more interesting than Melrose Place… and other excuses to watch teen dramas.

I’ll be honest. Life right now is a little tough. I’ve had two friends die in the last month-ish and I have two family members on hospice.

I think that’s why I’m watching a little more television than usual. I need an escape. Hence, Young Royals … and tonight’s sojourn into Norwegian geoblocked teen drama (Skam). 

(I suppose normal people don’t feel the need to justify watching television, so perhaps I’ll delve into why I do … someday.)

Back in the day, I remember reading some review that said that Melrose Place would never be as interesting as Beverly Hills, 90210 because teenagers are simply more interesting than adults. Period.

That’s always stuck with me, and I think it’s because teen stories can get away with more drama—and get away with it at all sorts of immature levels that are fascinating. Teens are caught on the edge of childhood, headed to being an adult, but they’re neither and both at the same time. (I’m now a mom of two teens, so perhaps this is another reason why it’s resonating more with me.)

At any rate, from a writing standpoint, I hesitate to go too young with my characters. (Boy on a Train being a notable exception.) I think that’s because GASP not every story is about young people and I tend to want to show a variety of perspectives.

But I can’t help being drawn to these teenaged dramas when I need escapism. There is something a bit more interesting about firsts. About the tiny conflicts that blow up, the snubs and insults, the feelings—oh, the feelings.

And perhaps there’s something about not feeling guilty about needing an escape, either.

Henrik Holm and Tarjei Sandvik Moe in Skam