Plots that revolve around a group of friends finding their way in the world, either together or separately, are not new to TV or film. There are several that fit this description, with a unique character quirk or key incident differentiating one from the other.
Regardless of the age group the characters belong to or the country the story is set in, most of us know have a pretty good idea of what to expect from films or TV shows that follow a group of friends around.
One of the most recent additions to this genre is Everything I Know About Love, which is a BBC drama series based on Dolly Alderton’s 2018 memoir of the same name. In the drama series, the audience is introduced to four main characters in their mid-20s; Maggie (played by Emma Appleton) and Birdy (played by Bel Powley), who have been best friends since childhood, and the two friends they met in university, Amara (played by Aliyah Odoffin) and Nell (Marli Siu). The four share a surprisingly spacious and clean house in London, as they figure out relationships, careers, and life in general.
It comes as no surprise that the main focus is on Maggie and Birdy, and while there are various aspects to the show that one can dwell on, the basic theme that stands out is how well childhood friendships survive in adulthood.
Maggie and Birdy are two completely different people as adults. Maggie is fierce and independent. She is willing to take a chance on anything, whether it is a night out when she can barely afford it, or a stranger – we later learn his name is Street (played by Connor Finch) – she meets on a train, who she eventually falls in love with, before breaking up when the relationship meets its inevitable end.
Birdy, on the other hand, is more serious and collected, and is portrayed as the perpetually single friend, making her always available to Maggie. However, during the first few episodes, she is introduced to Street’s slightly older roommate, Nathan (played by Ryan Bown). The two hit it off, which isn’t a surprise since Nathan is a more serious character as well. Suddenly, Birdy is no longer available to Maggie, often choosing to spend time with Nathan and his friends over her housemates, who Birdy sees as more reckless and unsettled in life.
We slowly see cracks form in the bond Maggie and Birdy share, despite the two vowing to always be there for each other. At one point, Birdy admits that she can’t be the person Maggie wants her to be, and this is something that many of us who have carried friendships from our childhood into adulthood can relate to.
Although this change occurs gradually, at some point in life, you realise that the person who saw you go from being a scrawny kid to an awkward teen, no longer “gets” who you are as an adult. The strain on such relationships is worsened by the difficulty one may have in being their true self while also still fitting into the version of themselves their childhood friend knows and cares for and even relates to.
There is a sense of betrayal as well, when you realise that your friend is not who you think they are; when you realise that they no longer like the same things as you do and have other friends whose company they may enjoy more. This is even though you yourself may have gone to meet new people and develop new interests.
In Everything I Know About Love, Maggie points out that Birdy doesn’t really want to settle into a serious relationship with Nathan, but thinks so simply because this is her first relationship. Birdy argues otherwise, saying that this could be what she wants. This is in complete contradiction to what Maggie looks for and gets in terms of relationships and dating, which is more casual in nature.
Nearing the end of the series, the more hopeful viewer expects Maggie and Birdy to make up and become friends again, but perhaps this is something we can only witness in the next season, if there is one, that is.
However, you later realise that that grand reunion and words of forgiveness are not necessary; sometimes, as hard as it may be, you have to accept that some friendships won’t stand the test of time and that sometimes, you need time apart in order to become the person you are meant to be.
