Netflix’s Forever dives deep into modern love—here are 5 reasons it matters

Get ready for your next TV marathon session. Netflix’s new coming-of-age drama Forever, reimagined by Mara Brock Akil from Judy Blume’s classic novel, is exactly the kind of show that tugs on your heartstrings in all the best ways. Whether you’re a recent high school grad or have been to a few high school reunions, Forever is a timeless show that has lessons in love, sex, relationships, and life for us all. Here are 5 reasons why it needs to be on your list, especially before Season 2 arrives!

(PS: light spoilers ahead)

1. It shows that communication is key, but can also be really hard

Forever brings a fresh take on the classic “will they, won’t they” storyline that feels oh-so-real. And it doesn’t shy away from showing all the complexities of communicating in a digital world, especially when it comes to relationships. This show has it all. There’s ghosting, blocking, and plenty of redacted texts. We see our protagonists, Keisha and Justin, time and time again begin to open up to one another only to pull back. They would often start a text message to one another communicating exactly how they felt, only to delete the entire text, opting to send something more vague instead. And their back and forth blocking? Stonewalling at its finest. But hey, we get it. Being vulnerable is scary. It can be so easy to ghost or block someone, especially when feelings of shame, trauma, or fear of rejection come up. But it doesn’t necessarily bring you what you’re looking for. When Keisha and Justin finally do the hard thing and communicate openly and honestly with each other, we see their relationship blossom. Showing vulnerability and opening up emotionally to someone can be scary, but it can also be an amazing source of healing and growth, so beautifully modeled throughout the show.

2. It shows the realities of sex tapes and digital intimacy

We are all used to the rollercoaster of “viral moments,” where something can be piping hot tea one moment and then forgotten the next week. However, the impact of these moments continues to affect the people involved, long after others have moved on. We see Keisha endure the public airing of a moment she thought she was sharing privately with her partner—a moment that quickly goes viral amongst her school peers, then spreads into gossip throughout her entire community. The aftermath of the sex tape affects her emotional state, identity, and even her ability to feel comfortable at her school. The video haunts her for years, while her ex, who shared the sex tape with others, walks away hands clean and is even celebrated by the very same people who shame Keisha. It begs the question: who is looking out for Black girls? We see so many people, including parents, shame, vilify, and mark Keisha with the stereotype of the “hypersexual Black woman.” And we also see the immense negative impact this all has on her for years. With so much shaming, it makes complete sense that Keisha felt she had to be resilient and deal with the aftermath on her own. Forever isn’t afraid to show the emotional or reputational toll the gendered—and racialized— double standard takes on Keisha.

3. It puts consent front and center

Forever is able to do something we don’t often see in the media: show just how awkward (and beautiful) sex can be. We’re so often shown an idealized “perfect” version of sex on our screens where everyone always seems to be completely comfortable and can read their partner’s mind. It was so refreshing to see Justin and Keisha clumsily make their way through all the messy bits of sex. We saw them checking in, fumbling with clothes, figuring out what to do with all the extra limbs, and talking to each other along the way. You could feel Justin’s nerves through the screen as he sheepishly asked the “is it okay if…” and “can I…” questions to Keisha during their first sexual experience with each other. That is what consent truly looks like. And seeing our two leads model it with so much care, honesty, and realness normalizes the awkwardness of sex and all the beauty that comes with it, too.

4. It shows that young people learn about sex all the time—not just in health class

I am obsessed with the scene where Justin’s dad has him practice putting a condom on a cucumber. It was clear that this was not a one-off. There have clearly been ongoing conversations (and demos) of safer sex between the two. Sex ed is not one-size-fits-all or a one-time lesson. It’s ongoing, throughout our lives, and can happen anywhere and with anyone. Forever does a beautiful job of showing what it can look like outside of the classroom. It also serves as a reminder to us all that we’re never too old to talk (and learn) about sex. In fact, watching this show with your partner, best friend, or even your niece, nephew, or sibkid can be a great way to open up helpful conversations about love and sex.

5. It offers a refreshing and trauma-informed depiction of the Black experience

From the moment Justin’s mom expressed her strict curfew rules and the worries behind them for her son, I was fearful that there would be a scene in the show that focused on police violence. It is important and necessary to show the realities of being Black in America, but far too often, we get movies and TV shows that focus on the brutality, racism, and injustices inflicted on Black folks. My body is so used to tensing up in anticipation of those violent scenes which can often be traumatizing for Black audiences to watch. There is a moment in Forever where a cop car pulls up behind Justin while he’s driving at night. When the sirens and police lights go off, it’s easy to imagine what’ll happen next. But when the police car drives off, we’re left feeling the exact same way that Justin felt in that scene—relieved. Forever has masterfully done what so few have been able to accomplish when telling stories of police violence. They figured out how to convey the emotional intensity, fear, and weight of police violence without needing to show the audience such violence being inflicted onto a Black character. Instead, viewers spend more time seeing Black joy, love, and even wealth depicted on the screen, moving us even further from the monolithic stereotypes of Blackness in media. It is clear that producers Mara Brock Akil and the creative team behind Forever were intentional and cared deeply about showing the authentic Black experience, but in a way that is healing and offers a window into the multitudes of what that can look like.

Netflix’s Forever is such a rich, tender, and honest take on Judy Blume’s classic novel about first love, showing how timeless her story is and how timely this adaptation feels. From the butterflies to the heartbreak, and all the magical moments that happen in between, Keisha and Justin’s story embodies the complexities that come along with love, no matter your age. Whether it has you feeling nostalgic for a past love or daydreaming about your first, this show stays with you. If you haven’t watched yet, consider this your invitation. If you have, it’s a great time to rewatch. You can thank us later.

Catch up on Season 1 of Forever on Netflix here. Follow @Bedsider and @PowertoDecide for more updates on TV shows we love.