Tina Fey’s The Four Seasons Is a Reflective, Gradual Comedy Exploring Love, Friendship, and Transformation
Tina Fey’s newest endeavor, The Four Seasons, may come as a surprise to fans accustomed to her quick-paced comedies like 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Renowned for her incisive humor and energetic style, Fey adopts a different tone here — one that is more measured, intentional, and ultimately resonates on a deeper emotional level. However, the cleverness and humor remain undeniably present.
What Is The Four Seasons About?
Co-created by Fey in collaboration with Tracey Wigfield (Great News) and Lang Fisher (Never Have I Ever), The Four Seasons reinterprets the 1981 film of the same name by Alan Alda as a Netflix miniseries. The core concept endures: three longtime couples embark on a seasonal vacation together, with each getaway highlighted by Vivaldi’s renowned Four Seasons concerti.
The couples feature Jack and Kate (Will Forte and Tina Fey), whose bond is built on shared grievances; Nick and Anne (Steve Carell and Kerri Kenney-Silver), who find themselves in a stagnation; and Danny and Claude (Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani), who experience significant conflict over differing opinions on a medical choice. (Claude, originally Claudia in the film, is one of several updates that modernize the narrative.)
These couples share decades of history, and the cast’s natural chemistry effectively conveys that. However, the initial two episodes — depicting the “Spring” trip — feel somewhat disjointed. The pacing is more leisurely than fans might anticipate from these creators, yet the show hastily establishes the characters’ interactions. This tension may be attributed to transforming a feature-length narrative into a serialized format, while also reflecting the story itself: something is amiss beneath the surface. Nick is contemplating leaving Anne, a choice that threatens to upend not just their marriage but the entire friend group.
By the time the “Summer” episode arrives, Nick has moved on with a significantly younger woman, 30-year-old Ginny (Erika Henningsen). Her arrival disrupts the group’s dynamic and alters the show’s tone, bringing in awkward humor and deeper inquiries into relationships, aging, and fidelity.
An Insightful, Witty, and Authentic Examination of Relationships
Each couple in The Four Seasons navigates their own struggles — ranging from emotional detachment to excessive reliance — but the show delves deeper than mere surface dilemmas. Fey, Wigfield, and Fisher create intricate, believable relationships that feel genuine and multifaceted. Every couple experiences moments of bonding and confrontation, mirroring the friendships that connect the group.
Consider if The White Lotus Season 3 concentrated solely on the narrative involving Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, and Michelle Monaghan — encapsulating all the intrigue, rivalry, and affection without diversion. That’s the intimate, character-driven storytelling The Four Seasons offers. The series explores the complexities that arise when friends vacation together, juxtaposing uproarious moments with poignant insights about change and betrayal. A particularly compelling narrative thread is how the group manages the fallout from Nick and Anne’s separation: how can you maintain friendships with both when one has clearly been wronged?
An Impressive Cast Breathes Life into The Four Seasons
The ensemble of The Four Seasons is spot-on, capturing both the humor and the emotional depth of the story. Fey and Forte have a remarkable chemistry, particularly as tensions begin to arise in Jack and Kate’s relationship as the season progresses. Domingo exudes effortless charisma as Danny, while Calvani adds depth and sensitivity to Claude’s worries about Danny’s health. Kenney-Silver skillfully balances anguish and resentment as Anne, and Carell succeeds in making Nick more than just a stereotype of a man in turmoil — he’s flawed, yes, but also relatable.
As the outsider, Henningsen excels as Ginny, portraying both her insecurities and her naivety. Her exchanges with Nick and Anne’s daughter, Lila (energetically portrayed by Julia Lester), stand out particularly.
With its talented ensemble, picturesque backdrops — from inviting lake cabins to wintry ski resorts — and a script that intertwines humor with emotional depth, The Four Seasons serves as an ideal summer binge-watch. It may take a while to hit its stride, but the payoff is undeniably rewarding. This is a show that gradually unfolds, delivering a blend of laughter and heartache in equal parts.
The Four Seasons is currently streaming on Netflix.