TV Review: Season 1 of NBC’S ‘THE VILLAGE’

Ok, people. I just have to say that NBC is killing it right now with their line-up! THIS IS US is one of the best drama shows I’ve ever seen, and THE VILLAGE is right on its heels (only because there’s only one season so far)! On the surface, it’s east to compare the two against each other, but the storylines go deeper than just superficial (metaphorical) wounds. After watching the first season of THE VILLAGE, I can easily say that it stands on its own two feet. I’m just hoping that it gets renewed for another season!

THE VILLAGE focuses on several groups of people living in a condo building in Brooklyn. Each little group in the building has their own storyline, but, individually, they’re all intertwined with each other in some way or another.

You have Sarah, a nurse who lives with her teenage daughter, Katie. Katie discovers she’s pregnant and is contemplating the idea of adoption. Based on what Sarah has told her, she’s lived her life believing that her father, a firefighter during 9/11, was killed in action. She has no idea that their new neighbor, Nick, is actually her father. Throughout the season, Sarah and Nick try to navigate through their own past and how to tell Katie the truth. Nick is also a veteran who is trying to find his way through his post-war PTSD.

Ava is an Iranian refugee who faces deportation and separation from her young son. You get to see how bonded the residents of The Village truly are when they all rally around her during this time. Ava has fallen for another resident, Ben, who is a police officer in NYC. It is revealed that, while Ben is willing to marry Ava to keep her in the U.S., he is still married to the mother of his deceased son.

Ron is the super of The Village building and an owner of a bar called Smalls. He’s married to Patricia, a social worker who is dealing with a relapsed cancer diagnosis. They are the “parents” to everyone in the building and often put their own struggles aside to help everyone else.

Gabe is a law student trying to stay out of the shadow of his power-hungry father. His grandfather, Enzo, lives in a nursing home, but comes to live with Gabe in The Village. Enzo is still mourning his late wife until he meets a new woman he quickly falls in love with. Gabe and Enzo have the most adorable relationship with each other throughout the entire season.

With all of their individual storylines, they all seem to come together to support each other through all of their struggles. Truth be told, I’m a sucker for those moments. When someone is struggling with something and they have a group of people that are willing to drop everything to be there for them. I literally just cried my way through the entire season 1 finale, and I highly recommend that you check this show out if you haven’t already. The writing is fantastic, the cast is extremely diverse (with not one weak link) and it’s just so easy to connect with. Shout out to Grace Van Dien, who plays Katie, for a stellar performance throughout the season. Everyone was great, but Van Dien literally killed it every single time!

One of my favorite lines from the finale was when Gabe encourages Enzo to propose to his new love, Gwendolina. Enzo struggles with the idea of proposing with the ring that belonged to his late wife, but Gabe insists and says, “I think she’d want this ring on any hand that’s holding yours.” Seriously?!?!?! How could you not watch a show that delivers lines like that one?? Do yourself a favor and check this out. You can also join me in crossing my fingers that this gets renewed!