The Four Seasons Turns Vacation Into A Test Of Marriage

What happens when the trip makes it out the group chat? Tan lines, crossing boundaries, lots of shots, and possibly divorce.

Adapted from the 1981 film by Alan Alda comes Netflix’s new series The Four Seasons. Soundtracked by Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” it follows three married couples throughout the year as they go on trips together — to eco-resorts, family college weekends, and ski vacations — in the complicated midst of one of their divorces. The gang is made up of Nick (Steve Carell) and Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), Danny (Colman Domingo) and Claude (Marco Calvani), and Kate (Tina Fey) and Jack (Will Forte). The big catalyst for the series kicks off in the first episode when Nick drops the news to his friends ahead of his 25th anniversary that he’s no longer happy in his marriage. He wants to be adventurous and enjoy life, while his wife Anne has become more reserved. Relationships are tested throughout the series, but so are friendships. 

While the show sets up all three couples as main characters, Kate, Jack, Danny, and Claude often fade into the background. Their storylines are reduced to passing moments rather than fully developed arcs. Since we don’t see their lives outside of the vacations, it’s hard to invest in their lives. The connection feels very surface-level. The miniseries would have benefited from highlighting each couple’s issues per episode so they could go more in-depth.

One of the best moments of the show was seeing Nick and Anne’s daughter Lila (Julia Lester) perform the play she wrote about her parents’ divorce. It truly catches you so off guard. The faces of horror and shock in the group made me belly laugh. It was funny seeing the different takes on marriage from two different generations.

This series didn’t quite land for me, but maybe that’s because it feels tailor-made for married couples, and I haven’t cracked that code yet. While it may not be as action-packed, it brings back slow-paced but meaningful storytelling that I enjoyed. It’s the kind of show you throw on when you want to unwind with something a little less chaotic. It reminded me of Tyler Perry’s film Why Did I Get Married? because you see how harsh realities can test a marriage. If you’re into shows that balance humor with the ups and downs of partnership, this one might be worth a watch.

Watch The Four Seasons streaming on Netflix.