TV Talk: HBO Max’s ‘Genera+ion’ explores modern teen life

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen offers a viewing tip for the coming week.

Until the debut of “Euphoria” in 2019, HBO hadn’t shown much of a desire to put on programming about teens. That’s changed for HBO, which last year added “We Are Who We Are,” and sister-streamer HBO Max extends that interest with “Genera+ion,” premiering Thursday.

“Genera+ion” episodes run roughly 30 minutes, unlike the hour-long run time for “Euphoria” and “We Are Who We Are” episodes, but this latest series is as likely to inspire pearl-clutching among some viewers as its predecessor premium cable teen dramas. Yet “Genera+ion” handles modern coming-of-age issues with a lighter touch. Consider “Genera+ion” a more fun, less depressing “Euphoria.”

Three episodes of “Genera+ion” debut on Thursday, followed by two new episodes March 18 and 25 and one new episode on April 1. An additional eight episodes, the remainder of season one, will debut later this year.

The premiere introduces popular, crop top-wearing Chester (Justice Smith), a queer, straight-A student who plays water polo; twins Nathan (Uly Schlesinger) and Naomi (Chloe East), who only share some of their inner lives with one another, and shy Greta (Haley Sanchez), who has a fraught family situation at home.

“Genera+ion” displays a few moments of world- weary teens that seem clichéd but more often than not the show excels in avoiding the expected in favor of subtlety even with its most outwardly demonstrative character, Chester.

The arc of Chester’s character revelations in the first episode are leaps and bounds more distinct and grounded than any character on The CW’s teen dramas.

When Chester senses new school guidance counselor Sam (Nathan Stewart- Jarrett) might be gay, he’s intrigued and inappropriately familiar and flirty before warning Sam, “I’m, like, a lot.”

Later, “Genera+ion” takes a beat and shows Chester in a more vulnerable moment. He may be confident and even cocky but he’s not immune to the stressors facing all of these kids.

Created by queer teenager Zelda Barnes and her father, Daniel Barnz (Zelda’s other father, Ben Barnz, is also an executive producer), “Genera+ion” will likely prove insufferable to plenty of adults while ringing true to at least some adolescents.

Each episode opens with a flash-forward to Naomi at the mall with an initially unidentified friend, who’s locked herself in the bathroom as she goes into childbirth (the girl had no idea she was pregnant). These scenes are often “Genera+ion” as its most self- indulgent and funniest (Naomi hurriedly tries to Google “how to deliver a baby” and gets stymied by her phone’s auto-correct function).

“Genera+ion” is more grounded and relatable in other scenes, particularly those featuring Chester and Sam or the longing for friendship, acceptance and love as evinced by Greta.