Sideswiped

Sideswiped is a unique, compelling series that debuted on YouTube Premium in 2018, demonstrating that online platforms are indeed fertile ground for quality content creation. A romantic comedy, it delves deep into modern dating, with a particular focus on the phenomena of online dating apps and the impact they have on personal relationships. The series humorously presents the exciting and terrifying world of dating in the 21st century from an unconventional angle, offering a fresh perspective to a genre that has overwhelmingly been covered over the years.

The protagonist of Sideswiped is the charismatic and relatable Olivia Maple. She’s a successful, single woman in her mid-thirties who seems to have her entire life figured out, except for her love life. Her character is complex and multidimensional, displaying a myriad of contrasting facets—she’s independent yet vulnerable, goal-oriented yet utterly directionless when it comes to love. Her situation and feelings mirror those of many watching the series, making her character extremely relatable.

As for the plot, it all begins on Olivia’s 35th birthday. She finds herself single and discontent, tired of the often-miserable dating scene. Her younger sister Jayne, married and seemingly perfectly settled in life, incessantly presses her to make changes in her stagnant life and experience dating in a new dimension. As if her sister's constant pressure isn't enough, Olivia's mother is also an active part of the persuasion team. Their combined effect leads Olivia to make a radical decision, she signs up for a dating app – a decision that ends up turning her structured life upside down.

Intent on not remaining on the sideline of her love life anymore, Olivia makes a daring and rash vow it becomes the driving force behind the show. She decides to go out on a date with each of the matches she makes on this dating app, all 252 of them. This audacious resolution is anticipated by a rich tableau of experiences – exciting, terrifying, perplexing, hilarious, and insightful.

The series does a fantastic job of encapsulating the entire labyrinth of modern dating. It takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through countless dates, each one different from the last. The show is overflowing with humor, heartache, rudeness, kindness, confusion, clarity, and an array of other emotions. It also throws light on the disparity between the online persona people create on dating apps and the real person behind the screen.

The series portrays a wide range of flawed yet endearing characters. Each of Olivia’s dates are uniquely designed characters with their quirks, personalities, pet peeves, and idiosyncrasies. From fellow singletons and divorcees to younger men and older mature partners, Olivia’s dating pool mirrors real-life dynamics effectively. The constant tinkering with age, profession, personality types, and backgrounds of Olivia's dates keep the curiosity levels high throughout the series.

Sideswiped doesn’t restrict itself to only exploring Olivia’s love life. It also touches upon the equally messy lives of her sister Jayne and their free-spirited, unconventional mother Mary, played with finesse and dexterity by veteran actress Rosanna Arquette. These side plots are a welcome addition that adds further depth to the narrative, making it more comprehensive and nuanced.

Sideswiped, an eight-episode long series, stands out for its unique premise and lovable characters. It might seem like a romantic comedy on the surface, but it goes beyond the genre's standard conventions. It deftly explores the idea of loneliness, the perpetual quest for companionship, the social conditioning of women, and the anxieties associated with being single and aging. The show is about a woman stepping outside her comfort zone, letting go of her insecurities, and experiencing life in all its fullness.

Ideal for a warm, hearty binge watch, Sideswiped leaves you rooting for Olivia, chuckling at her misadventures, empathizing with her heartbreaks, and waiting eagerly for what the next episode brings. Whether you're single, married, old, young, or somewhere in between, the show offers something for everyone – a slice of real life, laced with a healthy dose of humor, warmth, grit, and growth.