How to be Indie, Season 1

How to be Indie is a Canadian television show that follows the life of Indira "Indie" Mehta, a teenager trying to find the perfect balance between respecting her Indian heritage and embracing her Canadian lifestyle. Throughout the first season, viewers watch as Indie navigates the challenging waters of high school while also maintaining her cultural identity and dealing with the everyday pressures that come with being a teenager.

The central protagonist, Indie Mehta, is an engaging and ahead-of-her-time character who deals with typical adolescent issues such as friendship, family, school, and self-discovery, but with a unique twist. The 'Indie' in the show's title is both a play on the main character’s name and a nod to her independent spirit. Indie is an energetic and vivacious 13-year-old with big dreams and an even bigger personality. Despite her enthusiasm, she often finds herself in comical predicaments that stem from her attempts to merge her parents’ traditional expectations with her own desires to fit in with her Canadian peers.

The first season of How to be Indie introduces the audience to Indie's world, incorporating her close-knit family, who are integral to the storyline. Her family includes her parents, who are loving but sometimes out of touch with the realities of teen life in Canada; her brother, who presents his own set of challenges; and a quirky cast of relatives who add to the flavorful cultural backdrop. Indie's parents are immigrants from India and often rely on traditional values and cultural norms to guide them in parenting, which results in humorous and touching moments as Indie tries to honor her heritage while also forging her own path.

Indie's experiences at school are another central aspect of the show. The high school setting brings various scenarios such as crushing on boys, dealing with bullies, encountering jealousy and competition, striving for academic success, and seeking approval from peers. Indie’s friendships are a cornerstone of the series, highlighting her relationships with her best friends, who each bring different perspectives and support to her life. Together with her friends, Indie learns the importance of loyalty, honesty, and the value of standing up for oneself and others.

Throughout the season, Indie often turns directly to the audience to express her thoughts and feelings, creating a confessional and intimate atmosphere that allows us to understand her internal conflicts and empathetic nature. This narrative device sets the stage for storytelling that is dynamic, personal, and engaging. It also provides a platform for the show’s quick wit and clever humor to shine through, as Indie often breaks the fourth wall to share her colorful commentary.

The comedy in How to be Indie is gentle and suitable for a family audience, utilizing situational humor, cultural misunderstandings, and the classic tropes of teen angst to elicit laughs. However, the show doesn’t shy away from more poignant moments, offering heartfelt storylines and depth to the character development. One of the standout features of the series is its ability to address incidents of cultural integration and identity through a comedic lens without losing gravitas or sensitivity.

The show is further enhanced by its soundtrack, which features lively music that resonates with the energy of the characters and their experiences. The multicultural aspect of the show is underscored not only in its casting and plot but also in the music and visual presentation. The blend of Indian music with contemporary Canadian beats serves as the perfect audio backdrop, encapsulating the essence of Indie’s dual cultural experience.

The setting of the show is another character in itself, showcasing the diverse cityscape and the multicultural fabric of Canada’s urban centers. The visual styles are bright and colorful, mirroring Indie's optimistic outlook on life and the vibrancy of her Indian culture. The urban landscape provides a canvas for the various experiences that Indie goes through, and the cinematography captures it all with a sense of vitality and warmth.

In summary, Season 1 of How to be Indie is a refreshing coming-of-age series that offers a unique perspective on the teenage experience. It blends comedy with cultural diversity and creates a narrative rich in lessons about growing up, friendship, and self-identity. The first season successfully sets the scene for Indie's journey of self-discovery and provides a light-hearted yet insightful glimpse into the life of a girl who is determined to chart her own course while respecting the traditions of her family’s heritage. It is a show that resonates with young audiences but can be appreciated by viewers of all ages for its humor, heart, and universality.