If you’re seeing this first, it’ll make more sense to read part one of this review and then circle back here to continue.
Their chemistry at Dean’s birthday party was undeniable, but Allie had a boyfriend at the time. I’m going to be honest, I honestly thought my girl Allie was falling back to old ways and went back to contacting Sean. I was shocked at what was developing in front of me, but I should’ve seen this coming. And to know that this has been happening since karaoke night? Wow.
Here's the thing about these two that makes my heart skip a beat; it’s how they think they could do that “we’re just having fun” thing while slowly unwittingly falling for each other. While they’re outside smoking weed on the beach chairs, the conversation is about how Allie and Sean’s relationship is basically over. Dean reassures her that she should do what’s best for her and she shouldn’t settle for what Sean has to offer her right now. She should do what she wants. Allie teases him asking which ex taught him to be insightful and he casually says he doesn’t have exes. He likes being the “casual sex guy” and that it’s fine by him to which Allie questions “is it?” At this moment, I need you all to focus on Dean’s face; that look screamed “I think I might care about this one” and you’re lying if you say it doesn’t. He gives her his number and she’s like absolutely not and changes the contact name to “Do Not Call” and tricky tricky, this is what I thought she saved Sean under.
“The Practice” - OFF CAMPUS - Pictured: Stephen Thomas Kalyn as Dean Di Laurentis. Photo: Liane Hentscher/ Prime © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC.
She broke a rule alright, but it was the rule to not get on rollercoaster Dean. And she then continued to break more rules repeating that what was happening between them was a one time thing. A one time thing that happened over and over. I never for a second believed that this could’ve been a one time thing for Allie. What was hard to believe was that Dean would close the rides permanently for Allie. As he’s giving her the house tour, she calls him out on acting weird with her and asks that he be more himself. When this meant they’d go play a game of chess, oh this is getting serious.
Speaking of getting serious, back home with Garrett and Hannah, Hannah is practicing a song she and Justin are working on together and there’s this moment where she’s joking around and says “Garrett loves me” and he just laughs and says “yeah, I do”. After the shock wore off, she said it back and I completely lost it.
Let’s go back to Allie and Dean for a bit. How could no one know there was something going on between them? The tension between them at the Hurricane’s Youth Hockey event was hard to miss. The stolen glances at one another, the conversation they had through song requests? I mean come on! Also, I don’t understand why Allie was fighting this thing with Dean. She kept bringing up Sean too when I don’t think he should be considered in this scenario anymore. The faster she moves on from him, the sooner we can get this Dean and Allie thing going.
“The Breakup” - OFF CAMPUS - Pictured: Mika Abdalla as Allie Hayes. Photo: Liane Hentscher/ Prime © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC.
Was this episode just made to break me? Answer? Yes, it was. Because whatever this is happening with Logan and Garrett, I don’t like it. And then to learn that Hannah would have to now face her abuser at Garrett’s game?
You know what? I’m kidding, this episode didn’t break me, episode seven did. After learning that her abuser, Aaron Delaney, would be at the game, Hannah completely shuts down. She’s ignoring Garrett’s texts and calls after promising to be at his game. Phil is there, and that just puts Garrett in the worst headspace which isn’t great considering this is a game they have to win to keep the top spot. Both he and Logan go at each other in the locker room when it’s the end of the second period and Garrett is playing like he’s a one man team. There’s certainly a lack of communication going on between Garrett and the rest of his teammates. Judging by the confusion on their faces, this is new behavior for Garrett.
Hannah finally makes it to the arena and things are starting to look up. The team is finally playing like a team again but then here comes Delaney to set Garrett off. One thing that man doesn’t play about is Hannah, so when he turns to look over at Hannah and gets that confirmation that Delaney was the one who assaulted Hannah, he goes off on him. And when I say goes off on him, I mean he saw red and completely lost it. We don’t see how bad it is until the next episode, but the evidence was there. His jersey had Delaney’s blood splattered all over it and the look of fear in Hannah’s face said it all.
“The Faceoff” - OFF CAMPUS - Pictured: Belmont Cameli as Garrett Graham and Ella Bright as Hannah Wells. Photo: Liane Hentscher/ Prime © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC.
I haven’t hated a character more than I hate Phil Graham. He just watched his son beat the crap out of another player out of nowhere, and he stays behind to praise him? As Garrett told him he’s been suspended, Phil brushed it off like it was nothing, saying that no one would keep “Phil Graham’s son off the ice.” What an insane thing to say, and he doubles down trying to convince himself that everything he’s put Garrett through was worth it. Phil then brought Garrett’s worst fear to life after Garrett said he would never be like him to which he responded saying “you already are.”
Now couple this with his parking lot interaction with Hannah. All she wanted him to know was that she didn’t want or need him to protect her. When he said if given multiple opportunities, he would beat Delaney up every single time, Hannah said that scares her. Oh, the look on his face then. That was it; he didn’t hear anything else she said, all he heard was he scared her. She tried her best to back track but the damage was done. “My dad was right [...] this is just how I’m programmed” - hearing him say these words hurt so much. And now he thinks he’s no good for Hannah and breaks up with her. My heart began to crack. And then when Hannah calls her mom my heart shattered. She starts to blame herself for everything and it’s like everything she’s been holding in started to spill out: how she lost the scholarship, how she feels she’s to blame because of the therapy and the lawyers, and thinks she ruined her parent’s lives. I just want to give her the biggest hug; Hannah you did nothing wrong.
The ‘Hands Off” law was the funniest thing I’ve ever heard of, and I kind of wish it was true. When Garrett looked at Hannah’s guitar pick, it would make sense that he didn’t want anyone else with her. Almost like a grand gesture to get her back. But sure, we’ll let it be a misunderstanding.
The NCAA meeting and the final ruling made no sense to me. They used a video of Garrett at a practice with the Bruins that was posted prior to the start of the season to rule that he would be ineligible to play. If this were that big of a deal, then this should’ve been something that was addressed after the first game of the season. Why wait until he played so many games to make this call? Make it make sense. Now, because of this ruling, the team is now in last place with all their games considered losses.
“The Line Change” - OFF CAMPUS - Pictured: Ella Bright as Hannah Wells. Photo: Liane Hentscher/ Prime © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC.
Despite not being able to play or practice, Garrett has been sneaking onto the ice to skate anyways. Hannah is there one day and sees him and they have a talk that becomes an eye opener for Garrett. At the time, he was thinking about quitting hockey; after everything that’s happened, he wasn’t sure if he loved playing anymore. Hannah pointed out that he could’ve been anywhere since he wasn’t on the team anymore, but chose to be on the ice. That should’ve told him everything. She also tells him he had a reason to play and it wasn’t because of his dad, but for the person who was on his right and always had his back. Yup, she’s talking about Logan. After she leaves, Garrett starts to look through some of the hockey highlights including him and Logan and this is when he finally watches the video of the incident with Delaney. That’s when he saw that not only was he completely gone in that moment, but it was Logan who brought him back. Did anyone else get emotional when Logan told him “I got you”? No? Just me?
Nothing brought me more joy than to see Logan and Garrett finally talk. He’s been shutting him out for so long, but he finally talks about what’s been going on with him and just how bad his relationship with his father is. Without hesitation, Logan was all ears. I need John Logan to be protected at all costs. Also good on Garrett for appointing him captain while he’s gone.
At the very last minute, Hannah decides to perform in the showcase. Allie calls Dean to get Garrett there to watch her perform and… what’s with all this doubt? Why does it take Logan to convince him to go? Garrett, why are we acting like Hannah isn’t your girl? Garrett at the start of the season would’ve definitely been there no questions asked. But you know what, he made it there and that’s all that matters, because he would’ve been kicking himself if he missed Hannah’s performance. Damn, her song was beautiful. It was like watching her heal in real time.
I know I’m going to catch some heat for this, but I have to say this: the reunion after the break up with Hannah and Garrett happened way too fast and it didn’t hit me with the emotions in the way I expected it to. First things first, he said “I wouldn’t miss it…” and yet he almost did, because he thought she deserved to be with someone other than him. Now he wants her to be with him. Don’t get me wrong, I love that they’re back together; this was definitely the universe righting its wrongdoing, but I don’t know, Garrett should’ve been a little more thirsty for Hannah in my opinion.
“The Line Change” - OFF CAMPUS - Pictured: Belmont Cameli as Garrett Graham and Ella Bright as Hannah Wells. Photo: Liane Hentscher/ Prime © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC.
Someone who has no problem being a little thirsty, however, is Dean for Allie. Allie sensed their situationship was becoming too serious, so she told Dean in order for them to hook up again, they will have to hook up with other people. How this makes sense to her, I have no clue, but we will let her live in her delusions for now. Allie meets a stranger at a bar and then later sees him again - which is a sign he would be the perfect person for the assignment. What she didn’t know at the time was that this person, who she thought was named Carter St. James, is actually Hunter Davenport. A person who Dean absolutely despises. Dean admits to Allie that he didn’t complete the assignment - which is the sweetest thing ever, but at that same moment she said she did complete it, Hunter walks in. It’s obvious that this is the person Allie hooked up with and oh boy, Dean was not happy about it. A fight breaks out between Dean and Hunter, which then grows to the rest of the team joining and man, I can’t wait to see how this drama unfolds.
If you made it this far, wow, you’re just as obsessed as I am. I could go on for days talking about the greatness that is this show. Off Campus is an instant hit and it became clear why this show was already picked up for a second season well ahead of the series premiere. I’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts below or connect with me on X/Twitter @chenfordhugs.
All eight episodes of Off Campus are now streaming on Prime Video.
