The OA Review: Season 1

Unlike Netflix’s other original offerings, The OA arrived with little fanfare or advance publicity on December 16th. The series, the third collaboration between Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, is a character study that blends a missing person story with fantastical elements. If you’re thinking that it sounds a lot like Netflix’s summer hit Stranger Things, you’re not wrong. But is it as good as Stranger Things? Let’s see. [Here be spoilers.]

The OA begins with the return of Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling), a young woman who disappeared seven years prior. This would be extraordinary enough, but the real surprise is that the formerly blind girl has returned with her sight. She’s examined at the hospital, where they find disturbing scars on her back. Prairie, who’s calling herself The OA now, won’t tell the doctors, the FBI, or her adoptive parents anything about where she was or what happened, though.

Despite her first appearance, which sees her trying to jump off a bridge, she doesn’t seem suicidal anymore, if she ever was. Instead, she’s driven by an internal logic, which we aren’t privy to yet. She posts a video to Youtube calling on five people to help her for reasons unexplained beyond border-crossing. When five people–four teenage boys and their teacher–show up, she tells them her story. It begins when she was a little girl in Russia and goes on through her adoption in America by the Johnsons right up to the point where she ran away to look for her biological father. While away, she is duped by a doctor whom she meets in the subway. She ends up being one of the captives he keeps in a kind of human terrarium in his basement. There’s also Scott (Will Brill) and Rachel (Sharon Van Etten) and then there’s Homer (Emory Cohen). Through their captivity, they learn exactly why the doctor, Hap (Jason Isaacs), is keeping them. He’s performing experiments on them that have to do with near-death experiences. They also learn the five movements, which, according to Prairie, can do a number of extraordinary things, including heal people and transport them interdimensionally. (When performed, the movements look like interpretative dance meets a haka.)

Why is she telling them all this? Because she wants to teach them the movements. She has the idea that she’s in the wrong dimension and she needs to get back to the other missing. She needs to get back to Homer specifically, because let’s just say they’re very close. A better question than why she’s telling them this is probably why do they believe her? Or maybe, do you believe her? The story is very open-ended in that way, so much so that I hesitate to talk too much about what I believe because I don’t want to color your own interpretation. But since that’s kind of the whole point of a review, I’m going to stick it in its own paragraph following this one.

Okay, then. There’s been a lot of debate in the past week or so concerning The OA, including what it’s about exactly, besides the plot summary I just gave you. Again, your mileage may vary but this is my interpretation. I think it’s about the value of telling your own story, especially in the face of trauma. As Prairie/The OA’s FBI shrink Elias (Riz Ahmed) tells Alfonso (Brandon Perea), one of the teenage boys, the give gave her the chance to take a psychological load off for a moment.

Another debate viewers have been having is about whether we should believe the OA because something something unreliable narration. The OA may be an unreliable narrator, but we’re also an unreliable audience. In that spirit, I don’t think it matters if the details of her story are true or not. We, after all, dealing with someone who’s likely been traumatized, and it serves no good for us as bystanders to re-traumatize her by forcing her to lay the horror bare. If you want all the graphic details of a victim’s story, read the Daily Mail. If you want to actually help a victim, let them tell the story. (I realize this sounds like quibbling and you’re probably like, “Just answer the question!” So…yes. I do believe her.)

The third and final major debate is over the ending. No spoilers here, but I will say that you will either love it or hate it. There will be no “meh” from the audience. If you hate it, part of the reason is probably the circumstances that bring about the ending, which some critics and viewers found distasteful. I, on the other hand, have seen so many of them in my lifetime that it never occurred to me to find its depiction offensive. As to how our five deal with it…as we’ve already established, I’m the house marshmallow, so I found it profoundly moving. At the same time, I wanted to laugh out loud.

That’s the thing about The OA (the series, not the girl). It is polarizing and sometimes to just one person. But overall, like the OA (the girl)’s mission, you can’t do it halfway. You can’t be a bystander. You have to embrace the show fully and you have to be willing to give over to the ridiculous. If you can’t, then the show isn’t for you. As another entity in the entertainment world whom you either love or hate once sang, “Believe it if you need it. If you don’t, just pass it on.”

8/10 – The OA isn’t for everyone and it isn’t perfect. There are some plot holes, for example, that I’m still wondering about–were they bugs or features? I also would like to have known more about some of the other characters, including the other boys in the group who weren’t Alfonso or Steve (Patrick Gibson). But I believed at least the feeling of it and it made my marshmallow heart grow at least a size.

COMMENTS

Please read our Commenting Policy before you join in with the discussion.

Note: If you have email notifications enabled, please check your email spam folders to ensure emails are not missed.

2 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

T York

3 years ago

I just finished watching season 1 and cannot recommend it enough, because it is about the most profound experience in the universe: what theologian Paul Tillich called “ultimate concern” (his definition of faith). It is not blind faith but faith through love, ritual and community (Durkheim), morality (Kant), shared representations of symbols of ultimacy, a shared “immortality project” (Ernst Becker), the numinous experience (Rudolph Otto) – in short, a shared experience through which an insight into the mystery of life and death — of life beyond death — allow us to see that we are part of an infinitely larger… Read more »

Salome G

2 years ago

Reply to T York

This is a lovely summary. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Cookie	Description
_pxvid	This cookie is used for detection of the browser and distinguishing whether it is a real user or malicious bot.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	This cookies is set by GDPR Cookie Consent WordPress Plugin. The cookie is used to remember the user consent for the cookies under the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Non Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	This cookie is used to keep track of which cookies the user have approved for this site.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-preferences	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Preferences".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-uncategorized	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Uncategorized".
CraftSessionId	This cookie name is associated with the Craft web content management system, where is functions as an anonymous session identifier.
csrftoken	This cookie is associated with Django web development platform for python. Used to help protect the website against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks
DSID	To note specific user identity. Contains hashed/encrypted unique ID.
JSESSIONID	Used by sites written in JSP. General purpose platform session cookies that are used to maintain users' state across page requests.
PHPSESSID	This cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
viewed_cookie_policy	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Description
b30msc
btc
CMST
cref
d
gpl
i
icts
ig_did
mdata
na_rn
na_sc_e
na_sr
na_srp
session_depth
visitor-id

Cookie	Description
__gads	This cookie is set by Google and stored under the name dounleclick.com. This cookie is used to track how many times users see a particular advert which helps in measuring the success of the campaign and calculate the revenue generated by the campaign. These cookies can only be read from the domain that it is set on so it will not track any data while browsing through another sites.
__stid	The cookie is set by ShareThis. The cookie is used for site analytics to determine the pages visited, the amount of time spent, etc.
_ga	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, camapign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assigns a randoly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_60765351_1	Google uses this cookie to distinguish users.
_gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
ad-id	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content
demdex	This cookie is set under the domain demdex.net and is used by Adobe Audience Manager to help identify a unique visitor across domains.
DigiTrust.v1.identity	Registers data on visitors’ website-behaviour. This is used for internal analysis and website optimization.
dmvk	This cookie is set by DailyMotion who display videos, it registers statistical data of visitors' behaviour on the website.
gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
GPS	This cookie is set by Youtube and registers a unique ID for tracking users based on their geographical location
is_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
sc_is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
v1st	This is set by DailyMotion to display videos.

Cookie	Description
__asc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__auc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__qca	This cookie is associated with Quantcast and is used for collecting anonymized data to analyze log data from different websites to create reports that enables the website owners and advertisers provide ads for the appropriate audience segments.
_cc_aud	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_cc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_dc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_id	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_kuid_	The cookie is set by Krux Digital under the domain krxd.net. The cookie stores a unique ID to identify a returning user for the purpose of targeted advertising.
_px2	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxff_tm	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxhd	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
ab	This cookie is generally provided by agkn.com and is used for advertising purposes.
ad-privacy	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content to the users.
ayl_visitor	This cookie registers data on the visitor. The information is used to optimize advertisement relevance.
bafp	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bafp_t	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_pl	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rf_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rt_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_t_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_td_2d31c94105a0aa6d1ceaea0c86c6b656	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bito	This cookie is generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bitoIsSecure	This cookies are generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bsc	The cookies is set by ownerIQ for the purpose of providing relevant advertisement
CMID	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPRO	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPS	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
dc_id	This cookie is used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator's permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers.
did	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
didts	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
dpm	The cookie is set by demdex.net. This cookie assigns a unique ID to each visiting user that allows third-party advertisers target that users with relevant ads.
eud	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
euds	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
everest_g_v2	The cookie is set under eversttech.net domain. The purpose of the cookie is to map clicks to other events on the client's website.
evo5_popin_instance	Prevents an interaction from reoccurring for visitors not accepting 3rd party cookies.
id	This cookie is set by DoubleClick (which is owned by Google) to build a profile of the website visitor's interests and show relevant ads on other sites.
IDE	Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
io.narrative.guid.v2	This cookie is generally provided by io.narrative.io and is used for advertising purposes.
KADUSERCOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
KTPCACOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
matchliveramp	This cookie is provided by w55c.net and is used for advertising purposes.
mc	This cookie is associated with Quantserve to track anonymously how a user interact with the website.
mxpim	This cookie is generally provided by mxptint.net for advertising purposes.
na_tc	This is a Social Media sharing tracking cookie.
NID	This cookie is used to a profile based on user's interest and display personalized ads to the users.
nnls	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxrc	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxvid	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
rlas3	The cookie is set by rlcdn.com. The cookie is used to serve relevant ads to the visitor as well as limit the time the visitor sees an and also measure the effectiveness of the campaign.

Cookie	Description
__jid	Cookies set on the website by the third-party commenting platform Disqus.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
disqus_unique	These cookies are set by Disqus so that users can comment on website/platform.
G_ENABLED_IDPS	The cookie is used by Google and is used for Google Single Sign On.
mid	The cookie is set by Instagram. The cookie is used to distinguish users and to show relevant content, for better user experience and security.
na_id	This cookie is set by Addthis.com to enable sharing of links on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter
ouid	The cookie is set by Addthis which enables the content of the website to be shared across different networking and social sharing websites.
ov	This is a generic functional cookie that provides enhanced functionality and personalisation.
ts	This cookie is generally provided by PayPal and supports payment services in the website.
vuid	These cookies are used by the Vimeo video player on websites.

The OA Review: Season 1

You might also like

FIND THE TOPICS YOU WANT...

Recommended for you