11 Reasons "Teenage Bounty Hunters" Didn't Deserve To Be Canceled
Greetings, fellow TV nerds. Today, I'm here to talk to you about a little show called Teenage Bounty Hunters.
The 2020 series revolves around a pair of fraternal twins*, Blair and Sterling, who become, well, undercover teenage bounty hunters. Despite critical acclaim and stellar ratings, the Netflix comedy-drama was sadly canceled after just one season — which is a HUGE bummer.
Netflix
*If you know, you know.
Here's what instantly came up when I googled "Teenage Bounty Hunters" just now:
I've been thinking lately about how great this show was and how much I miss it. So, I present to you, all the reasons why Teenage Bounty Hunters absolutely deserved another season:
?? Warning: MAJOR spoilers ahead!!! ??
1.First of all, the chemistry between Blair and Sterling's actors (Anjelica Bette Fellini and Maddie Phillips, respectively) as sisters is incredible.
This show depicts sibling relationships SO well. Blair and Sterling are best friends and care very deeply for each other, but they also have their ups and downs and misunderstandings, like any sisters. Their relationship just feels very, very real.
2.Two words: QUEER REPRESENTATION!!!
From Sterling's coming out journey to her unexpected relationship with April, I honestly don't think I've ever felt more represented. While I wish they had actually used the word "bisexual" here, I really loved how perfectly Sterling summed up her feelings with this. I also appreciated that they didn't demonize her previous relationship with Luke or act like her feelings for men weren't also valid. Plus, the way Sterling later explains her sexuality to Blair by describing the colors of the bisexual flag was great.
3.Let's talk more about Sterling and April's relationship, shall we? Because I'm obsessed with everything about it.
4.Speaking of relationships, I also really fell in love with the dynamic between Blair and Miles.
Like Sterling and April, they were an unexpected match with great chemistry. Their relationship felt both sweet and realistic. I was heartbroken that the show was canceled before they got a chance to fix things.
5.The show handled the topic of sex better than like 99% of teen dramas.
Although Sterling and Luke had to deal with the (sadly realistic) backlash they got from their religious community, the show itself never presented sex as a bad thing. The characters weren't ultimately framed as "right" or "wrong" for making the decision to have sex or not have sex. I also found it refreshing that, for once, there were no pregnancy scares or truly life-changing, lasting "consequences." Plus, the scenes didn't feel sensationalized or over-the-top — it just felt like they were depicting realistic (and often imperfect) high school relationships.
6.Bowser's dynamic with the girls — and just his character in general! — was so entertaining and endearing.
He started off as just their grumpy, reluctant employer, but eventually became a true mentor, confidant, and friend to them. I loved the scene where Blair calls him crying after her fight with Sterling and he instantly drops what he's doing to make sure she's okay, even though he's in a dire situation at work.
7.The social commentary was excellent — they did a great job of exploring tough topics without making it feel like you were watching an after-school special or presenting only one side of the issue.
The episode about the woman wanted for destroying Confederate statues was so layered and well-executed. I also loved how they subverted tropes, such as Miles saying his mom has "two jobs" — she's a lawyer and a senator.
8.Even with serious themes, the show was pretty freakin' hilarious.
April's character is pure genius, and I have such a soft spot for the school leader, Ellen (bless her naive heart). Also, Sterling and Blair both have SO MANY good one-liners. "Big boy energy!"
9.The mystery format was really, really good!
Similar to early Veronica Mars, they had individual quests to complete each episode, but also an overarching season-long mystery to solve. The way the pilot ends with the audience seeing the twins' "mom" on Bowser's "wanted" board? *Chef's kiss*
10.The twist with their mom was probably one of the only well-executed examples I've seen of the whole "secret evil twin" trope.
Pretty Little Liars can't relate.
11.And finally, THAT CLIFFHANGER!!!
No words.
Teenage Bounty Hunters, I will never be over you ??.
Netflix
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