You can love all hockey shows equally, BTW.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Off Campus Season 1!

Each novel — The Deal, The Mistake, The Score and The Goal — centres one couple and a multitude of romance tropes. We are almost certain that each Off Campus season to follow will do the same. 

A note from Angeline: Before you read ahead, it should be noted that the leads of this Off Campus season have backstories that include sexual assault and domestic violence. These moments can be quite intense and drawn attention to before viewing. 

The depictions of these characters' experiences may be triggering to audiences. 

If this article brings up any issues for you or anyone you know, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) — the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service.

Who doesn’t love a little romance when it comes to TV? I’ve loved my “ships” ever since I was in high school. Slow burns are probably one of my favourite tropes, think Janine and Gregory from Abbott Elementary, Jess and Nick from New Girl or Belly and Conrad in The Summer I Turned Pretty. Seeing two characters on-screen destined for each other FINALLY get together after how many seasons? There’s no better feeling. 

I was really interested in giving Off Campus a watch. Since I hadn’t read the books, I went in with zero expectations.

I’ve always been all consumed by romance books/shows/movies. The secret lover girl that exists deep within my soul continues to obsess over early 2000s media that spotlighted the bad-boy-turned-good because of love. Toxic? Probs! But I don’t let that stop me from watching. So, when I thought that’s what was happening in Off Campus, I considered myself sat and along for the ride. 

Let me be honest, I started reading the book mere minutes after I finished watching episodes 1-7 of the show — 1) because I was desperate to know how it ends and 2) because I needed to know Garrett’s inner dialogue. I was not disappointed. However, this pursuit left me wanting to see more of The Deal’s elements on screen and ultimately, excited to see how they try to execute the ending. 

Episodes 5 and 6 are stand outs for me and serve a lot of the ensembles’ arcs. In episode 5 we’re introduced to a different side of Garrett, one that I wasn’t expecting. We see how Garrett and Hannah act as anchors for each other while individually healing from their traumas. It’s emotional and raw, but does a great job at positioning this show as more than “just” a cliche, college romance story. 

On the complete opposite side, episode 6 is a LOT of fun. This episode centres around a particular couple that I won’t spoil. It had moments that made me kick my feet and giggle and wanting to know more about them. I’m counting down the days until their season airs.

My hands down favourite scene is at 35:37 in episode 7. Garrett’s reaction in that moment had me rewatching, over and over again, wondering what prompted it because it’s mildly out of pocket when placed next to Ella Bright’s emotional performance. 

As for favourite episodes, I can’t look past episode 2 because my goodness, Hannah and Garrett were playing some dangerous games. From Garrett’s voice hitting a different tone of menacing to Hannah taking the lead in a *certain situation*, this episode laid the groundwork for obsession and a curiosity for how Allie, Dean and Logan’s futures would unfold. The intersecting storylines already have me wondering who will take the lead in Season 2…

But what I loved most about it was how it showed the leads’ softness towards each other and the ease of their dynamic when no one was watching.

I don’t have a favourite character just yet, but I did come out of this show rooting for all the guys (a first for myself). The brotherly dynamic between them, how their arcs weave into each other was so much fun to watch. On the surface they seem like your average college-frat-boy-group but there’s an emotional complexity to each of them. Whether it’s some friendly competition on the rink or moments where they really show up for each other, I was hooked.

I do have a sweet spot for Logan I must say (maybe I do have a favourite?) him making eyes and looking out for Wellsy… I’m guilty to getting giddy by it (his time will come and not at the expense of my #HannahGarrett heart).

Garrett Graham takes the cake for me. Belmont Cameli’s performance of the confident, focused and complex hockey captain feels very natural. But I will say my affinity for him is likely due to his storyline being explored more in-depthly, even more so at times than Hannah’s backstory. 

An extremely close second is Mika Abdalla’s character, Allie Hayes. She’s just so relatable, like every friend whose gone through moments of doubt in their relationship and wanted more. Mika perfectly portrays the messy but wonderful girl that has everyone in the palm of their hand.

I’ll admit, after watching this, I wasn’t expecting to be attached to it the way that I am. The chemistry between the leads and the ensemble cast just bring everything together. These sub plots are fun and give a breather to some intense moments, while also not overshadowing the main couple — which is hard to come by nowadays.

Yes, some parts leaned corny, like *that* product placement that I’ll be thinking about for at least another month. But it is equally romantic, nostalgic, steamy and vulnerable. Is it rewatch material for myself? For now, I’m not sure. Will I have my fingers-crossed that more seasons will be greenlit so we can see the other guys fall in love? Absolutely.

Off Campus has the right ingredients to be this generation’s Gossip Girl or The OC — a gorgeous ensemble cast, a college with infinite possibilities and chemistry that makes you want to sit and squeal at the TV. The overlapping storylines might come as a shock to book purists but definitely a step in the right direction for getting audiences invested in the other three leading men — Logan, Dean and Tucker. 

I won’t lie to you, the spice level, for me, sits at about a medium but that could possibly come down to being exposed to shows like Bridgerton and Euphoria. 

All in all, despite the show missing a few smaller but fan-favourite details, which I’ll allow you to discover yourselves — I’m obsessed with how fresh and bingeable this show feels. It’s taken up so many folds in my brain in an unimaginable way. I hope we see a woman of colour as a leading star in the Briar U universe soon.

Need more TV show, movie, anime, and gaming recommendations? Check out Press Play, a column dedicated to reviewing the latest releases, uncovering hidden gems and solving the age-old question of "What do I stream?" (before your food gets cold).