Off Campus Sets a High Bar

We’re in an age where every person is a brand, and every brand needs to be “relatable”, so I’ll be taking this at face value and treating them all as romantic prospects. Every week I’m going to talk about my messy and intricate love life as it pertains to pop culture. Starting with

Off Campus is an episodic rom-com that follows college undergrads Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) and Hannah Wells (Ella Bright), as they reckon with their feelings for each other, while also reckoning with their feelings for their respective life dreams and childhood traumas. I’m never the first to a viral hit sensation, but I was especially late to this Prime series, which officially released in May. You probably have heard of this show. You’ve probably watched it, so you know that the premise is about Hannah, a hot band geek, pretend-dating Garrett, the hot captain of an elite ice hockey team.

Off Campus, Season 1, Amazon Prime Video

Off Campus, Season 1, Amazon Prime Video

How did you meet?

1) I don’t remember hearing of this show. The online chatter I mainline over breakfast must have infused my brain with it, because one day I was like “I must watch Off Campus.” We were supposed to meet on a boat, a ferry I was stuck on for the length of a journey from Spain and England. I curled up on my single bunk in a 4 berth cabin with an ipad and an hour of allotted free wifi before I would be disconnected from the internet forever (24 hours). It was free, but calling it “wifi” was generous. It could load WhatsApp if you gave it 20 minutes, but asking it to download a single episode, nay a whole series earned you a spinning wheel and an audible whirring. Instead, I flirted with the old Beef episodes I had downloaded and ignored after reading the mediocre reviews. 2) I was in no hurry to get to Off Campus anyway. I finished Beef, I finished People We Meet On Vacation, I started The Ultimatum season whatever but then I thought about Off Campus again. I stared at Episode 1. The Deal. Failed to download - try again? I tapped play and that’s how we met.

Was it love at first sight?

No. I thought it was cringe. I was embarrassed to be seen with it. I thought it would cringe so hard I would have to lie about what I was watching for the 1-2 weeks it took finish eight episodes. “I’m sure your coach will convince Tolbert to get creative with your grading system” WHAT does that mean? And Garrett needs Philosophy 101 for his major? What is this star hockey player going to do with a Humanities degree? I winced my way through the awkward dialogue and the cliches because I know first episodes are hard.

What was the exact moment you realised you liked them?

I think it was at the block party.

Did you go in blind, or did you look them up?

I thought this might be the German boarding school show with the subtitles. That’s why I put it off for so long.

What made you totally fall for them? What are their green flags?

Trust, baby. I was rolling my eyes at first, but when Hannah did her little Elton John musical number I was like okay, that’s kinda cute, and the Howlin’ For You weight room scene is memorable - that’s when Hannah and Garrett kiss to prove they are both totally chill about kissing and not at all attracted to each other. I think the real turning point for me is at Dean and Beau (Bo? Beaux?) Dean and Beaux’s away game birthday party in episode two. It’s supposed to be Hannah and Garrett’s “hard launch” as a real fake couple, and it has the classic “oh no! there’s only one bed!” thing. Subverting that trope by having them both stubbornly sleep on the floor tickled me, but my god, the way this man looks at her. I felt like I should leave.

A huge theme of this show is emotional availability. Like every show (relationship) there are misunderstandings, but there are also many displays of open communication, empathy, and a lottttt of emphasis on trust. Garrett needs Hannah to feel safe, loved, and seen. He channels his energy into being a good boyfriend who can give her those things. This is what women want.

Other green flags include:

• The soundtrack

• Representation of sensitive male characters (the positive kind)

• Healthy conflict, an appropriate amount of drama, no milking it

• Good in bed

One of the sexiest things about Off Campus is the maturity. Yeah, maturity from people who think acting like a couple is the best way to get your crush to ask you out, knock me over with a feather. Garrett is consistently taking care of his team, prioritising his studies, working hard at his chosen sport and in general being a mostly pleasant human. You can be thoughtful and horny, who knew! Crushing hard on this guy, alas he is fictitious.

What’s a subtle detail that casual fans might miss, but you absolutely adore?

The sound mixing. Soundtrack is A-, very few choices I would make differently but the cues and mixing were phenomenally done. The calculated use of sound effects and silence, like hockey pucks cracking into things, people breathing on each other, tapping fingers, turn signals… I don’t know that everyone would specifically notice, but it does make a huge difference in how intimate the show feels.

Have you forced your friends to watch it yet, and what do they think?

Yes, and some couldn’t get past the cringe of episode one. I don’t blame them, we can’t all have my benevolent nature. Really, it’s always tough when you have to take onboard other people’s opinions about the things you like. I was in a love bubble until Girl Culture reminded me how much of the dialogue was disgustingly camp and that many scenes could plausibly work in a Lifetime movie. A lot of comments elsewhere have implied hot ice hockey players are rarely this considerate unless they’re trying to sell you something or convert you to Scientology. Reality is so hard to hear.

Is there a red flag you’re willing to ignore because you love them that much?

I’d probably need a high-level chart to identify every plot hole/real-life inaccuracy in this show. On teeth alone, most of the hockey team was miscast (too many, too perfect). I’m blessed to not know very much about hockey, and even I knew the (SPOILER) team would not be allowed to just add a new player to the roster midseason (END SPOILER). I guess if Garrett Graham wants me to be a Scientologist, I’ll look at a pamphlet.

Is this a temporary summer fling, or are they officially joining your comfort media roster?

We’ve shared some special memories, but it’s too soon to tell. This is an anthology series; historically that means a hard turn every season. The second season pivot to Allie and Dean might ruin the magic. Or it might be better! Also, I try to leave real people out of my feelings for a show, but I think if I found out the whole cast is extremely misogynistic or like, secret animal poachers it would probably change how I see this one. Time will tell though, watch this space.

Could you be compatible with Off Campus?

If you love love and you’re already a sucker for rom-coms, this is a slam dunk. If you're more of a serious prestige drama type, or you prefer your bingeable media to be exactly true to life, perhaps you’ll struggle to get attached. I think for most people with a heart, Off Campus will keep your attention and give you a reason to smile. If you’re willing to give it a chance to win you over, I do insist on following the two full episode rule.