Hulu Summary:
Welcome to a world where everyone over the age of 18 develops a superpower. Everyone except for 25-year-old Jen, who feels like she’s being left behind. Luckily, Jen’s flatmates – Carrie, Kash, and a mysterious stray – keep her from falling into a well of self-pity. Adrift in a big, confusing world, and armed with nothing but a bit of hope and a lot of desperation, Jen begins her journey to find her maybe-superpower. But in doing so, she might discover the joy of being just kind of ok.
FYA Summary:
I love how the Hulu description makes Jen sounds like a charming underdog when in fact she’s a total brat—and that’s one of the things I most adore about this show! So, Jen is kiiind of an asshole, only in part because she’s bitter over not getting her powers. But I get it, it’s tough to live in a world where everyone else can do something magical, though another great aspect of the series is that a lot of people’s powers are straight up WEIRD. Like, the guy who can turn anything (and I mean anything) into a PDF, or the dude who can 3D print out of his butt.
Jen’s roommates actually have pretty cool powers. Jen’s bestie, Carrie, who is the NICEST and therefore way too much of a doormat to Jen, can summon the dead to speak through her, while Kash, Carrie’s doofus boyfriend, can rewind time—but only by a few minutes. The three are quickly joined by a new housemate, a cat they name Jizzlord (for reasons I will let the show explain to you) that turns out to be a guy who’s been a cat for so long, he’s forgotten all about his former human life. Obviously, they just keep calling him Jizzlord.
Throughout the first season, Jen makes a lot of poor choices in pursuit of her powers, while Carrie and Kash navigate the impact of Kash’s wannabe superhero vigilantism on their relationship, and Jizzlord just tries to figure out how to be a human instead of a cat. It’s hilarious and bizarre and cringe and, twist!, downright heartwarming.
(Not So?) Familiar Faces:
Sofia Oxenham as Carrie; Máiréad Tyers as Jen; Bilal Hasna as Kash
If you’ve watched My Lady Jane (which Mandy C. just reviewed last week!), then you’ve already met Máiréad Tyers. Tyers plays the impulsive, completely immature, and slightly unhinged Jen with a surprising depth that makes her a believable character. Though she may be a terrible friend, you can see why Carrie loves her: Jen’s brash and spirited and always up for anything, which explains why she is constantly ending up in what I would politely refer to as “jams.” I should add that Tyers is Irish, so her accent adds even more color. (I know, that’s probably a totally American thing to say.)
And, if you’ve watched Poldark, you might remember Sofia Oxenham. As Carrie, Oxenham is a wonderful blend of sweet and awkward, and even though she’s the only one with a real job (she’s a lawyer who works on legal disputes involving the dead, natch), she has approximately 5% of Jen’s confidence. I predict that you will end up rooting SO hard for Carrie to realize how awesome she is, while also shaking your head any time she smiles because girl has the DORKIEST grin.
Bilal Hasna was on 3 Body Problem, and on this show, he has the pleasure (?) of playing Kash, a manchild whose heart is in the right place but whose mind… is not. Kash is self-absorbed in the worst way—he doesn’t realize it—and while some of his antics cracked me up, he is my least favorite of the foursome.
Luke Rollason as Jizzlord
But you know who’s my most favorite? Jizzlord!! Luke Rollason (who hasn’t been on anything I’m familiar with) is PERFECTLY cast in this role, from his huge, wildly expressive eyes to his swoopy hair to his exceedingly frail-looking frame. Like, if you asked me to picture a guy who used to be a cat, THIS IS THE GUY. Jizzlord is perplexed by things his roomies do and say, and he’s overwhelmed by the world in general, but he perseveres with a touching earnestness, and Rollason does a masterful job of keeping him genuine and rarely cartoonish.
I should mention there’s a ton of stellar supporting characters and cameos from British/Irish actors you will immediately recognize and then shriek, “I love them!!!” Jen’s mom is played by Siobhán McSweeney from Derry Girls; Jen and Carrie’s high school nemesis is played by Ella Bruccoleri, who was Alba (the best!) in Polite Society, and Patricia Allison, who appears in episode 6, played Ola on Sex Education.
Couch-Sharing Capability: Assemble the Team
I mean, have y’all been reading this review? Of COURSE you want to watch this with other people. From the literal LOLing to all of the face palms, Extraordinary is a true crowd pleaser. (I won’t spoil it, but there’s a scene involving the Heart song, “Alone,” that made me desperately wish I was not alone in watching it because AMAZING.)
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Maintain (Cognitive) Powers
Jen is no stranger to the pub, and I would encourage you to enjoy this show with a beer or a Pimm’s cup or, you know, an American beverage if you really want to be that way, but definitely don’t get sloppy! There are so many small yet killer jokes, and the dialogue can be pretty speedy, not to mention accented. In spite of the cringe, you are not gonna want to forget a single second of this gold.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Super!
Extraordinary is such a special gem of a show; while it’s eccentric and bawdy, it’s also emotionally layered and even poignant at times. And I haven’t even mentioned the soundtrack, which freaking rules! The ending of Season 1 guaranteed that I will be tuning in to Season 2 IMMEDIATELY, so be warned: once you start, you’ll be smitten. (Oh, and one more warning: don’t shake hands with Gordon.)
