The OA

The OA is a captivating and thought-provoking American mystery drama streaming television series that debuted on Netflix in December 2016 and ran until 2019. A brainchild of Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, who serve as the series' creators and primary writers, The OA introduces a compelling blend of supernatural elements and puzzle-like storytelling mechanics that continue to stimulate serious water cooler chatter and online debate.

The series revolves around the life of an adopted young woman, Prairie Johnson, portrayed brilliantly by Brit Marling. The mysterious circumstances that surround her life form the core of the story. Prarie was blind when she disappeared seven years prior, and when she returns, to the surprise and awe of her adoptive parents and the small town they reside in, she has regained her sight. She declines to disclose what happened during her missing years to her parents or the FBI, instead gathering a small group of five locals whom she confides in and guides on an unfathomable journey.

Prairie is an enigma around whom the narrative of the series takes shape. Now preferring to be called The OA (Original Angel), she begins to reveal her complex and multidimensional story to this eclectic group. She selects them intentionally and carefully, which includes a high school bully, a transgender teen, and a schoolteacher, and conducts eerie and mystical sessions in an abandoned house, where she gradually reveals her past and their purpose.

The narrative of The OA transcends linear storytelling. It incorporates different dimensions, time jumps, and spiritual elements in Prairie's tale, creating a non-linear narrative structure that challenges viewers' perceptions of storytelling norms. Throughout the series, viewers witness Prairie's ordeal as a captive in a secret experiment involving near-death experiences, her life before her initial disappearance, and her new mission after her return.

One of the defining aspects of The OA is its intricate storytelling and layered design that challenges its audience to question what they see, what they believe, and what happens next. Unlike most series with episodic formats, The OA requires audiences to indulge in its entirety and absorb its complex story arcs and concepts, which include everything from survival and trauma to the exploration of multiverses and the supernatural.

Mysterious and ethereal, The OA is a bold exploration of trauma, recovery, and rebirth that never shies away from delving into the cerebral and the metaphysical. It's a paradoxical blend of reality and fantasy, seamlessly interwoven to form a mesmerizing tale. The show exemplifies Batmanglij and Marling’s narrative audacity, artistic vision, and unwavering commitment to telling a unique, emotion-driven story with an awe-inspiring blend of meticulous logic and surreal mystique.

The OA also carries its intensity and mystique into its visual style, with meticulously framed and beautifully lit shots that breathe life into the plot. The series also impresses with its musical landscape, comprising a haunting score and a mixture of pop songs, all adding pathos and tension to the narrative.

Its consistent and strident refusal to categorize or simplify its narrative gives the series a unique edge. Combining elements of familiar genres like mystery, fantasy, and supernatural fiction but defying any strict genre categorization, The OA is an unorthodox marvel of television that isn't afraid to confound and provoke its viewers with its bold narrative choices. Its richly textured story and deeply complex characters offer a rewardingly demanding viewing experience.

Light on sentimentality and heavy on enigma, The OA continues to be a prime example of what mysterious serial storytelling can achieve when not boxed into specific tropes or dead-end subplots. Altogether, the show’s intriguing blend of myth, science, and human emotion crafts an enchanting tale that lingers with you, making The OA an engaging, albeit complex, watch. It's an irresistible call to those who crave viewing experiences that feed their curiosity and challenge their understanding with its enigmatic narrative labyrinth waiting to be deciphered.