Navigating love, loss and friendships: how 'The Four Seasons' turns midlife meltdowns into heartfelt moments

On the back of “The Four Seasons” being given the green light for a second instalment, I decided to check out the series, which has been delighting streamers with its relatable themes. 

Adapted from the 1981 film of the same name, directed by Alan Alda, the eight-part series is created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield. Alda makes a cameo in it. 

Whether you are married, in a long-term relationship or divorced, the story arcs in the eight-part series will strike a chord. Heck, even if you are single, watch it as a cautionary tale.

The first episode sees six close-knit friends reconnecting for a weekend break. 

Kate (Fey) and Jack (Will Forte) are college sweethearts. Danny (Colman Domingo), who is Kate’s longtime friend, is married to Claude (Marco Calvani) and Nick (Steve Carell) and Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), who are the hosts, are at a stage of their marriage where one person is comfortable and the other wants out. 

Not long after everyone settles in, Nick tells the guys that he wants a divorce. He says there is no spark, and Anne has become comfortable and, for lack of a better word, passionless in their 25-year relationship. 

Fuelled by his developing relationship with Ginny (Erika Henningsen), a sexy and adventurous 32-year-old dental hygienist, he is confident in his choice.

Of course, the split means many awkward situations as the friends are caught in the middle. 

Meanwhile, Nick, to get everyone to bond with Ginny, allows her to plan a trip for everyone at a tropical eco resort. However, the rustic touches of the place don’t sit well with the friends, but they rough it for his sake.

Unbeknownst to them, Anne is enjoying some downtime at a luxury hotel close by. When Danny and Claude bump into her, they realise that Nick has been uploading all their pictures to the family cloud album. 

Amid the holiday, cracks in the relationships of the other friends start to show. 

Kate is tired of mothering Jack, who, to everyone else, is deemed such a nice guy. She feels like she handles all the hard work while he constantly seeks validation and guidance. 

Danny is feeling suffocated in his marriage with Claude smothering him after his heart surgery. As such, he uses work to spend long spells away from home.

Battling the pain of divorce, Anne grapples with overwhelming loneliness and a sense of being adrift.

Their separation significantly affects their daughter Lila (Julia Lester). She expresses her anger and resentment by writing a dramatic stage play that features thinly veiled and exaggerated portrayals of her own family.

When a tragedy strikes, the unresolved issues manifest in different struggles for the couples. 

The casting is sublime. The camaraderie among the actors sees them convincingly portray deep, loyal bonds. 

The drama is underpinned by comedy with a side offering of sarcasm - a distinctive hallmark of Fey.

Overall, “The Four Seasons” homes in on the struggles with communication breakdowns, lack of intimacy, infidelity, healthy boundaries, unrealistic expectations, forgiveness and shifting values. 

Rating: 3/5 *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking.

Below are similar must-see offerings:

"Good Grief"

In this Netflix dramedy, which is written and directed by Dan Levy, who also plays the protagonist, a man mourns the loss of his husband as his two best friends help him on his journey of grief and acceptance. It is a journey fraught with pain and forgiveness as he learns of his husband’s infidelity. 

The film also stars Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel, Celia Imrie, David Bradley, Arnaud Valois, and Luke Evans. 

"A Million Little Things"

A group of friends in Boston living carefree lives face a turning point when one of them unexpectedly dies, leading them to understand the true value of their friendship. The series looks at their bond through life’s challenges, romances and career hurdles.