Complete Critic Breakdown
Spring on Netflix brought with it a much-anticipated reunion: the unveiling of The Four Seasons, a fresh comedy series spun from Alan Alda’s 1981 film. Tina Fey, always savvy when it comes to the perils and laughs of grown-up life, teamed up with Netflix to deliver a show about three intertwined couples grappling with long-term marriage over four shifting seasons. While buzz churned before release and the cast list sparked curiosity, the real question began swirling by May 2025: was The Four Seasons more of a gentle spring breeze or just a long, unending drizzle? Here’s a deep dive into the series, sifting what critics loved, what grated on them, and—most pressing—if anyone should worry about falling asleep halfway through an episode.
What Stood Out: The Good Stuff
Let’s not bury the lede: several critics found real magic in the heart of the show.
- Engaging Performances: Steve Carell, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Will Forte, and Colman Domingo don’t just fill up space. They do heavy lifting. Each actor brings a believable quirkiness to everyday love, arguments, and reconciliations. You get the feeling this gang has actually spent decades together. Their timing lands, their banter snaps, and, when necessary, the quiet moments ache. Whether it’s Carell fumbling through an awkward toast or Domingo nailing a deadpan aside, performances stay alive and in motion.
- Witty Dialogue: Dialogue bubbles and flows, thanks mostly to Fey’s touch. Conversations move easily between the biting, the affectionate, and the irreverent. Jokes rarely feel forced. Even in heavier moments, someone says something so pointed or so truly familiar, you feel like they’ve eavesdropped on your last dinner party. This wit lifts the script from sitcom drudgery, making everything watchable, even when the subject matter veers into “midlife-moan” territory.
- Emotional Depth: Under the jokes and jabs, the writers care about honest emotional territory. Marriage isn’t easy here, but neither is friendship, aging, or the sense of sliding into irrelevance. Critics noticed the show’s willingness to pause and let sadness breathe or give nostalgia room, which gives each season a bittersweet edge. There’s real attention to transition periods—children leaving home, fading passions, or the loss and rediscovery of love.
Critical Hitches: Where The Wheels Wobble
Of course, not all is sunshine and sharp banter. Several recurring criticisms keep popping up.
- Predictable Themes: Yes, marriage is tough—and complicated—and messy. But so is every domestic comedy worth its salt. Some reviewers felt The Four Seasons simply retrod the all-too-familiar themes. There’s nothing in the exploration of marital ennui or renewal that feels revelatory. Many have hit these notes before, and arguably in more memorable fashion. The “midlife malaise” trope now feels overripe.
- Broad Comedy Elements: Fey’s influence means the show leans into punchy humor. But sometimes, those jokes slip into broad, almost cartoonish territory. There are moments when a setup or character arc veers so far into stereotype land it breaks the spell. Instead of subtle comedy, you get outlandish hijinks. Some saw this as a lazy shortcut, throwing cliches and hoping enough land to stay afloat.
- Underdeveloped Characters: Critics also targeted the way the show sometimes sacrifices realism for quick comedy. Take Claude for example. Instead of a fully formed human, he too often comes across as Frankenstein’s monster of rom-com tropes: oddball European, foodie snob, hapless lover, all mashed together. The result? He feels more like an inside joke than someone you want to follow over ten episodes.
A Closer Look: Are We Bored Yet?
Now, let’s really home in on the boredom question. Viewers didn’t call The Four Seasons a revolution, but very few outright slammed it as dull. And the numbers back this up.
The backbone of the show—the acting—keeps the screen alive even when material sags. No one sleepwalks through their lines. The chemistry between coworkers vibrates with years of shared history. This alone stops the experience from drifting into snooze territory.
Still, the problem with predictability crops up. Because the territory is so familiar, and the character beats so well-worn, long viewing sessions can feel a bit samey. What keeps it lively is the ongoing banter, those surprise emotional gut-punches, and moments where characters reveal surprising tenderness or bite.
Visually, the show tries hard to inject variety by using settings tied to each season—from bright holidays to moody autumn escapes. That helps too. There’s always a splash of color or a change in location to keep scenes moving. Background detail saves scenes that could otherwise blur together.
More Nuance: Who Will Care?
If you love stories about relationships weathered by time and trouble, there’s value here. Jokes that hit the mark make this more than comfort food. Emotional beats land with enough force to leave a mark. And the cast ensures there’s always something worth watching, even when the plot feels a step behind.
But, if you crave something wildly original, you’re likely to tap your foot or peek at your phone. No risks get taken with story or character. That makes The Four Seasons a bit like an old family recipe: charming if you’re already a fan, but rather bland to outsiders seeking zest.
Positive Key Points Recap
- Intense, attention-grabbing performances
- Quick, sharp wit running through every scene
- Genuinely moving flashes of emotional sincerity
Negative Key Points Recap
- Nothing new in how it treats marriage or friendship
- Frequent slips into clumsy, over-the-top humor
- Side characters, especially Claude, often lack detail or realism
Verdict: The Four Seasons—BRNG?
Does The Four Seasons actually bore? After tallying reviews, weighing criticisms, and considering its stand-out moments, an honest score emerges.
Sure, predictable plots and occasional lazy stereotypes weigh it down. But thanks to the chemistry, laughs, and flavor of real life in the dialogue, boredom never truly settles in. In the end, the ride stays smooth—even a bit too safe—but rarely dull.
So out of a possible ten, with zero being “totally boring” and ten “not boring at all,” here’s the number to hang on the wall:
Final Score: 7.4
It’s no instant classic. But if you want a vacation from high-stakes drama, or simply enjoy watching funny, familiar people wrestle with the everyday, it serves up just enough spark to keep things interesting.
