I want to start off saying that i LOVE this show, it is a touchy subject but a subject that needs to be talked about and that many people deal with on a daily basis. i Love it because it address real topics that real people deal with in there daily lives. I love the blend of comedy with drama and romance all in one. There need to be more shows like this on TV,this is a subject that too many people are affected by and sometimes cant overcome.Its a great message and a great show.I hope this show gets picked up for a second season , i love the romacne that is forming between as well as the drama and passion and pain all in one
11 Reviews
Very enjoyable despite some unconvincing sub-plots
DoINeedT023 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Recovery Road follows Maddie Graham (Jessica Sula), a 17 year old party girl in California. Maddie is found to have alcohol on school premises one day after having got home from a party in the early morning, having blacked out and lost her car during the night. Her high school guidance councillor, Cynthia (Alexis Carra) informs Maddie and her mother, Charlotte (Sharon Leal) that she will have to go to rehab or be expelled from school. Maddie concedes and starts her new life in a live-in sober living house for adults, while still going to school during the day and trying to keep this a secret from her friends and boyfriend, Zach (Keither Powers).
The other residents at Summer Meadows rehab are diverse in theirs characters and their sobriety journeys. We soon find out that Maddie's ex-best friend with whom she used to do drugs, Rebecca (Lindsay Pearce) is also a resident and the two must learn to live with each other. Maddie is reluctant to fully dive into her recovery journey - still processing the whole situation - but becomes romantically interested in Wes (Sebastian De Souza) another of the residents, who has been told by Summer Meadows councillor, Craig (David Witts) that he cannot risk his sobriety with a relationship.
The series was very addictive (pun intended) and the storylines were all very intriguing. However, it did require a good amount of suspension of belief and here I will detail the qualms I had with the show. {spoilers} Maddie realised she was probably raped in the first episode and then nothing happens with this storyline which was so unbelievable. This is a life-altering event for anyone and it isn't really something you would think about once and then forget, unless Maddie is incredibly good at supressing things. She only mentions it again in passing to Wes in the final episode.
Speaking of Maddie and Wes, Maddie is a minor, she is 17, in high school, and Wes is a grown up adult man, and no one seems to bat an eyelid at this. Charlotte's "only" concern was that he used to be an addict. Craig's only concern was that it would jeopardise Wes's focus on his recovery. It beggars belief that no one would be questioning what Wes sees in a 17 year old child.
Maddie and Cynthia's dedication to their significant others also is questionable. Neither of them seem particularly phased that they are contemplating cheating on their partners. {/spoilers} It is also particularly strange that Maddie's boyfriend (as well as the rest of her friendship group) is not overly worried about her not being able to attend *any* social outings without giving any good reason as to why she can't come. And the fact that it takes them all *that* long to bother finding out what is going on with her is also questionable.
My other peeve is with Craig, the 25 year old councillor who is apparently the head care provider in the rehab is also pretty questionable. Unfortunately I also found some of Witts' acting to be quite flat at times compared to the other actors'. {spoilers} I also had a hard time believing that he would say to a patient, "Why would you intentionally hurt yourself." when it is discovered they are self-harming. As a trained professional, surely he would know the rationale behind self harm. {/spoilers}
Despite these main issues I took with the story, I thought the show was inspiring and quite moving. It really made me reflect on the importance of honesty and letting people in - especially those closest to you who you know will support you {spoilers} (which Maddie's friends did an atrocious job of demonstrating) {/spoilers}. It clear this show was axed abruptly as there were too many loose plot threads at the end of the first season to not have an ending for, which is unfortunate. But, overall, an enjoyable watching experience.
The other residents at Summer Meadows rehab are diverse in theirs characters and their sobriety journeys. We soon find out that Maddie's ex-best friend with whom she used to do drugs, Rebecca (Lindsay Pearce) is also a resident and the two must learn to live with each other. Maddie is reluctant to fully dive into her recovery journey - still processing the whole situation - but becomes romantically interested in Wes (Sebastian De Souza) another of the residents, who has been told by Summer Meadows councillor, Craig (David Witts) that he cannot risk his sobriety with a relationship.
The series was very addictive (pun intended) and the storylines were all very intriguing. However, it did require a good amount of suspension of belief and here I will detail the qualms I had with the show. {spoilers} Maddie realised she was probably raped in the first episode and then nothing happens with this storyline which was so unbelievable. This is a life-altering event for anyone and it isn't really something you would think about once and then forget, unless Maddie is incredibly good at supressing things. She only mentions it again in passing to Wes in the final episode.
Speaking of Maddie and Wes, Maddie is a minor, she is 17, in high school, and Wes is a grown up adult man, and no one seems to bat an eyelid at this. Charlotte's "only" concern was that he used to be an addict. Craig's only concern was that it would jeopardise Wes's focus on his recovery. It beggars belief that no one would be questioning what Wes sees in a 17 year old child.
Maddie and Cynthia's dedication to their significant others also is questionable. Neither of them seem particularly phased that they are contemplating cheating on their partners. {/spoilers} It is also particularly strange that Maddie's boyfriend (as well as the rest of her friendship group) is not overly worried about her not being able to attend *any* social outings without giving any good reason as to why she can't come. And the fact that it takes them all *that* long to bother finding out what is going on with her is also questionable.
My other peeve is with Craig, the 25 year old councillor who is apparently the head care provider in the rehab is also pretty questionable. Unfortunately I also found some of Witts' acting to be quite flat at times compared to the other actors'. {spoilers} I also had a hard time believing that he would say to a patient, "Why would you intentionally hurt yourself." when it is discovered they are self-harming. As a trained professional, surely he would know the rationale behind self harm. {/spoilers}
Despite these main issues I took with the story, I thought the show was inspiring and quite moving. It really made me reflect on the importance of honesty and letting people in - especially those closest to you who you know will support you {spoilers} (which Maddie's friends did an atrocious job of demonstrating) {/spoilers}. It clear this show was axed abruptly as there were too many loose plot threads at the end of the first season to not have an ending for, which is unfortunate. But, overall, an enjoyable watching experience.
Great show about addictions for all ages! Drama, funny... REAL! Great cast!
AnotherDeppFan29 January 2016
I'm 31 years old and yes I do enjoy this kind of TV shows! I think it's for all ages! If you enjoyed Higher Ground (2000 - with Hayden Christensen, Joe Lando, AJ Cook...) or Neon Rider (1989 - 1995) you will love Recovery Road! It's a show about addictions, decisions, getting (forced) help, relapse... a sober house... New place, new people, new friendships and romance, breaking the rules, getting caught... Teen and adult addicts. The young counselor who doesn't hesitate to show who's the boss...
The official trailers I don't like so much because they make the show look like fun (like teen drinking is fun and not a real issue), but the episodes show another side of addictions, I like the darker side, the real side, what happens when you make the decision to take drugs or drink too much, how you become addicted, how you can get help, meet new people who care if you let them, get your life back on track.
I like the cast, the stories, how we get to know the characters, their past, with flashbacks that are never too long... How they become friends always there for each other, how the cute counselor always wants to help and is always there to catch you if you don't follow the rules...
If you want a real preview of the show please watch my video on YouTube, check xoxoOnlyTheBest (videos by Maryline) title "Recovery Road (Wes, Maddie, Rebecca, Craig...) ~ My immortal". It will show you it can be fun, sad... real.
I sure hope this doesn't get canceled because I became addicted already after 3 episodes, actually I was hooked after 1 ! Please keep watching, tell your friends to watch, let's keep this on the air!
Thank you for reading!
The official trailers I don't like so much because they make the show look like fun (like teen drinking is fun and not a real issue), but the episodes show another side of addictions, I like the darker side, the real side, what happens when you make the decision to take drugs or drink too much, how you become addicted, how you can get help, meet new people who care if you let them, get your life back on track.
I like the cast, the stories, how we get to know the characters, their past, with flashbacks that are never too long... How they become friends always there for each other, how the cute counselor always wants to help and is always there to catch you if you don't follow the rules...
If you want a real preview of the show please watch my video on YouTube, check xoxoOnlyTheBest (videos by Maryline) title "Recovery Road (Wes, Maddie, Rebecca, Craig...) ~ My immortal". It will show you it can be fun, sad... real.
I sure hope this doesn't get canceled because I became addicted already after 3 episodes, actually I was hooked after 1 ! Please keep watching, tell your friends to watch, let's keep this on the air!
Thank you for reading!
GREAT NEW Series !
sylvainab730 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I just watched the very first episode and got hooked right away ...the story is simple and the acting is wonderful . Its a quality series and am anxious to see the next episode . Its got a sweet taste to it and i just love Mady , she's adorable ,cute , almost angel like but she is a troubled teenager and she has a life of experience ahead coming inn her life . All the ingredients are all in there to make this series a very popular series . The message is clear in this and you will love the situations and psychology behind it . Everyone of all age will love Recovery road ,so please enjoy !
i give the first episode a 9 on 10
i give the first episode a 9 on 10
Why was this cancelled???
cthomas-075537 August 2018
This show is really good. As a Mental Health Worker, teens need a show like this. I love how real this show is. Wish there was a second season. I just don't get why freeform ALWAYS cancels good shows but keep stupid shows like pll around for decades. This show is way better than the fosters. This show had good actors and it was funny.
GREAT SHOW!!
dramii28 December 2021
Deserves 2 seasons and more
acadotte23 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It was really good and I believed deserved another season. Very disappointed it ended but freeform is very disappointing lately starting 2016 and it hasn't ended yet but I hope they get it together and bring this show back
So sad this was cancelled.
BooskiBabii30 July 2022
I discovered Recovery Road yesterday on Hulu and so disappointed there is only one season. It is such a wonderful show that young people, and adukts6, need to watch. I'm in recovery myself (four years clean from opiates) and absolutely love the storyline of those show. We need this show back on the air so teens can really see how addiction can change your life. I will have to buy the novel this is based on to continue the show in my mind haha.
Predictably boring
karicardenas7 August 2022
(Great Show) (Brief Review) 10/10
piratemann71 April 2016
First off I'd like to start off by saying: I love this show very much! I definitely relate to this show very much and I really hope it doesn't get cancelled anytime soon. I have had many family members that have gone through the same 'experience & pain' if you will and that is why I feel that I relate to the show very strongly. It definitely helps a lot and I'm sure there are many 'Viewers' out there who feel the same way and have gone through the same thing. This is no longer just a 'T.V. show' but a way of 'life' i'm sure it has been helping others just as well as me. I hope to see a (season 2) and more! 100/100 10/10 1/1. Hands down one of the best shows of 2016.
Perfect timing for for addition in 2017
Mike_cresci30 March 2017
I learned so much about addiction watching this show. I am a Veteran with PTSD from sexual abuse in the Army and have struggled off and on for years with alcohol abuse. I got bunches of personal insight from watching this. I like that the characters can be vulnerable and yet I can watch their path as thy conquer their issues. I was really sad that their is only one season. I think this show is really timely for 2017 with all of the drug abuse going on.
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