Off Campus

I’d like to say I binged the series because I was avoiding spoilers online (which I was), but we all know it also had to do with a complete lack of self control that’s coming from the fangirl reborn inside of me.

I’ve spent years dedicated to the fangirl lifestyle, but I don’t know, Heated Rivalry reignited something in my inner fangirl that I don’t ever want to ever go away (iykyk) and I’m so happy that fun romances are making a comeback.

I knew I’d love Off Campus, but for some reason, I always put off reading the books (shoutout to Christina for pushing me to FINALLY read them). On the one hand, I’m grateful I’m reading them so close to the show dropping, but on the other, it’s like, why did I wait SO long to jump into this glorious hockey world?!

Like I said, I binged the whole series yesterday when it dropped, and overall, I absolutely LOVED it. I literally was grinning and kicking my feet while I watched. Who DOES that?! A fangirl. A fangirl does that.

This show made me feel like I did with the old 90s/2000s WB dramas and I am SO here for it. I literally cannot wait to go back and rewatch and catch all the little details I missed on my first watch.

I think the casting was perfection. The chemistry between Ella and Belmont is spot on, Antonio, Stephen, Jalen, and Khobe add the perfect amount of depth and humor to the show, and Mika literally was Allie pulled straight off the page. I absolutely adored her. Josh was different from what I pictured Justin being in the book, but I liked the expansion of his role, even if I was waiting the whole time for him to get out of the way so Hannah and Garrett could be together.

I really loved how Dean and Allie’s story made its way into this first season, especially because I was wondering if the series would stay consistent with season 1 being about Hannah and Garrett, season 2 about Logan and Grace, and so forth like the books. But I really felt the chemistry between Allie and Dean early on and I like that they started developing their relationship alongside Hannah and Garrett’s.

I remember hearing prior to the show premiering that they added Logan’s sister into the storyline, but I definitely was surprised to see that addition and I’m curious as to how it will impact Logan’s character going forward. Logan’s story and his future hinges so strongly on his relationship with his dad and brother, so I’m eager to see how this will be changed in the following season(s).

One thing I had a hard time with, and this is purely selfish, is that I LOVE Steve Howey. I’m such a big Steve Howey fan, and I knew from reading the books that he’s a horrible character. My issue lies in the fact that I didn’t WANT to hate him (and of course, I did hate him. How could you not?!). Going into the show though, after watching him on High Potential, I was like, how am I supposed to hate him?! But wow, good on you Steve Howey, because you whipped out those acting skills and brought me from a fan to a certified Phil Graham HATER.

Lastly, I was so impressed by the music on this show. For me, music can make or break a show. It’s one of the first things I notice when I watch something new. It can take a piece of art from a good story, to an immersive experience. Amanda Krieg Thomas, you did the thing! Major props.

Here are my thoughts I wrote down during each episode after my first watch. Warning: There WILL be spoilers!

Episode 1

• I’m smiling like an IDIOT, I LOVE this
• That door transition (G shutting the door, Hannah opening her door), I love. (I can try, but I can never really shut the film studies part of my brain off!) I love the parallel between G and Hannah in that entire scene actually.
• The way that the music plays when Garrett says Hannah disappears when she plays music is BEAUTIFUL. It immerses you right in their little bubble.
• The emphasis on THE DEAL! I love the distinct reference to the book.

Episode 2

• I like the setup for book 3 with Allie trying to convince Sean to be more adventurous in bed. It was a small note in book 3 and I like that the writers are doing their best to stay faithful to the books with the little details.
• I love that Beau’s role is expanded (but I’m SCARED. IYKYK!)
• That Hannah/Garrett kiss in the gym, right into kissing Logan… DAMN
• THE F-ING MUSIC!!! Using Deeply Still in Love by ROLE MODEL, I love it!!!
• I am LOVINGGGG the Allie and Dean set up!! From him noticing her at the party to them dancing together… OKAY, I SEE YOU GUYS
• Garrett… Garrett…. WHY DID YOU STOP SPOONING HER. Like, I see that inner conflict in your head but COME ON. Just admit you feel something already
  • I love seeing his jealousy when Hannah and Justin sit together on the bus…

Episode 3

• GOD, the way I was watching the beginning of this episode with such skepticism… I was like this is NOT Hannah behavior lol
• Okay so Allie and Sean’s story is moving quicker here than in the books I think. And Sean is a total dick? Thinking she’d outgrow acting and just wanting to talk later because he’s cold? Grow up and grow a pair, bro. Get out of your head for one second and think about the girl you “love”
• G WALKING UP THE STAIRS PICKING UP ALL HER STUFF MY GOOODDDDDD
  • One thing I noticed here is that I MISS Garrett and Hannah’s Breaking Bad marathon. I’d understand if they had to change the show or something since Breaking Bad isn’t *THE* show anymore, but I loved the simple intimacy of them watching a show together all night and bonding over it.

Episode 4

• Okay Sean is on my NERVES! “I think we should break up.” / “Okay.” Like what a dick?! And why is Sean trying to make Allie out to be the bad guy here when it’s clear he’s in the wrong. He literally doesn’t listen to her and prioritizes all of his own needs over hers. Obviously, they aren’t right for each other, but I don’t like the way she’s being treated.

• Drunk Shakespeare would give me so much anxiety, thank god I’m not in their shoes
• My heart is breaking for Garrett as Hannah goes to sit with Justin at Shakespeare….
• Hannah turning down Justin and showing up at the rink ABHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Episode 5

• THIS OPENING MONTAGE IM CRYING
• I love the lil recreating the cover moment here
• The Thanksgiving scene was SO WELL DONE
• Logan is such a SWEETIE
• Poor Tucker – he’s trying so hard. He’s hilarious, I love him. Protect Jalen Thomas Brooks at all costs.
• oh the ENNNNDDDDDDDDDD FUCK – I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

Episode 6

• DEAN AND ALLLIIIIEEEE!!!!! I am loving this
  • I love how their relationship is *mostly* starting the same way with Allie’s breakup, the threesome fail, the joint…
• THE BROADWAY TALK BAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
  • I actually screamed at the Broadway talk – from J. Groff to Legally Blonde… This show was made for me.
• The Allie and Hannah conversation about flings/Allie’s problem being rebound dating feels very book accurate
• AT THE BAR THE SONG REQUESTS !!!!!!!!!!
  • Feels loyal to the book/jukebox scene and I just LOVE Dean and Allie’s relationship
• Grace????? Won a raffle???? WHERE IS SHE

Episode 7

• The Garrett and Logan tension that started in episode 6 is surprising and a little off putting to me. I know G didn’t communicate everything about his dad in the book, but this tension is weird to me and feels out of the blue and out of character for them
• Soooooo Garrett breaks up with Hannah, no Phil Graham intervention….
• The phone call between Hannah and her mom has me in TEARS
• SOMBR…. The music is killer
• WHY CAN I NOT STOP CRYING
  • Also the Massachusetts song is DOING IT IT’S KILLING ME

Episode 8

• I LOVE a shot where they keep looking at each other and keep missing each other. It’s very A Walk to Remember
• Garrett’s suspension is whack. But I guess it adds more conflict to the show
• GARRETT IS SO REAL FOR CHECKING WHO VIEWED HIS STORY AND THEN HANNAH TRYING NOT TO VIEW IT
• I love all the Garrett/Hannah side by side shots throughout the series
• Logan pushing Garrett to fight for Hannah even though he has feelings for her too KILLLLS ME. I love Logan
• Oh my god the twist at the end of Allie having hooked up with Hunter Davenport FUCK
  • Fucking Jules video taping the fight – fuck OFF. I don’t mind that they added Jules into the story, but it annoys me how everything has to be posted online. Like these are your brother’s (and your) friends, where is your loyalty…

One Bigger Takeaway

• I wish we got to see more of Hannah and the guys. I feel like they should have spent more time together for their desire to be at the showcase at the end of the show to really pack a punch.

Overall, I really loved the series, so I don’t want this to be a post about how this and that were changed, but there are some things I noticed:

• Episode 1 – Hannah working at the school and seeing Garrett in locker room, Hannah playing the clarinet/being involved in composition and not having her sole focus be on vocals and the showcase, working at Malone’s (Malone’s serving as both the diner and bar)

• Episode 2 – Logan’s sister is an addition to the cast, Justin is a musician and not a football player and they collab for her to win the scholarship. He also stays in the story more in the show than the books 

• Episode 4 – So Logan entered the draft and has been passed over twice? And Jules says he’ll end up stuck with MOM at the garage? I don’t think Logan entered the draft in the book (though he said he did) and his dad is the one who owns the garage in the book. I wonder why those details had to be changed.
• Episode 7 – Phil didn’t break them up
• Episode 8 – OH so Garrett didn’t instate the hands off law on Hannah… It started out of a miscommunication?

I’m so thrilled that they’re starting to film season 2 soon! I’m excited to see India Fowler as our new leading lady and to see Phillipa Soo join the cast as well!

Last weekend, just days before the show dropped on Prime, Creation Entertainment hosted a Romance Page to Screen convention and brought some of the Off Campus cast and I’m beyond grateful my friends and I were able to meet some of the cast. Check out the pictures below!