Go!, a gripping new South African drama, injects heightened tension into the familiar narrative of a teenager from humble beginnings navigating a prestigious private school. This series distinguishes itself by centering on the protagonist’s desperate effort to conceal a recent incident that threatens to derail his opportunity for a better future.
GO!: Stream It or Skip It?
Opening Scene: “People say life is a marathon, not a sprint. I say, what’s the difference? At the end of the day, a race is a race.” A young man runs in slow motion on a deserted street late at night.
Synopsis:
Siya “Bolt” Gumede (Thandolwethu Zondi), a gifted young runner renowned for his exceptional speed, becomes an online sensation thanks to his friend Mandla (Wonder Ndlovu), who organizes street races to generate income. In a recent race, Bolt competes against and easily defeats a four-person relay team. Displeased by their loss, the relay team members accost Bolt and steal his earnings.
During a family dinner, we learn that Mandla and his sister, Nthabi (Shalate Sekhabi) – who is romantically involved with Bolt – are largely independent, as their father works as a long-distance truck driver and is frequently abroad.
The dinner is interrupted by Coach Arendse (Brendon Daniels), the track coach from St. Jude’s, an elite private school. Having witnessed Bolt’s race, Coach Arendse offers him a full scholarship to St. Jude’s, believing Bolt would be a valuable addition to their track team.
Bolt’s older brother, Shuffle (Wiseman Mncube), gifts him a pair of expensive Nike running shoes, purportedly affordable due to his evening job – the illicit nature of which is unknown to both Bolt and his mother. Shuffle expresses his happiness for Bolt but cautions him to remain grounded.
Following a celebratory evening before his departure for St. Jude’s, Bolt is involved in a tragic accident. He unintentionally strikes and kills a teenager in the street, with an intoxicated Mandla also seemingly deceased. Panicked, Bolt contacts Shuffle, who instructs him to place Mandla in the driver’s seat and flee the scene immediately.
Similar Productions:
Go!, directed by Tristan Holmes and showrun by Kutlwano Ditsele, echoes other narratives of individuals navigating unfamiliar social environments, such as Boarders.
Critical Analysis:
In its initial episode, Go! effectively establishes Bolt’s background and the challenges he will encounter at St. Jude’s. As a scholarship recipient, he will likely face integration issues with teammates and classmates predominantly from affluent backgrounds. However, he is also burdened by a secret – the hit-and-run incident – adding a layer of complexity beyond typical newcomer narratives.
Although the incident appears accidental, Bolt’s distraction due to Mandla and potential impairment remain ambiguous. Regardless, both Bolt and Shuffle recognize the potentially devastating consequences of the accident on Bolt’s academic prospects at St. Jude’s. Consequently, Bolt must navigate the pressures of his new environment while grappling with the guilt of implicating his friend.
This predicament provides the series with a compelling edge, surpassing conventional “outsider-in-elite-school” storylines. Bolt’s flight is not from an ambiguous past but a very tangible recent event. Bolt’s likely moral compass suggests he will be tormented by his actions concerning Mandla, injecting considerable depth into the prep school narrative.
Bolt will also confront the substantial influence of Shuffle, a figure of questionable morality, in his life. While Bolt appears to admire Shuffle, his awareness of his brother’s true activities remains uncertain. Discovery of Shuffle’s illicit dealings could profoundly alter Bolt’s perception of his brother. Furthermore, the impact of Shuffle’s advice to incriminate Mandla on their relationship is a looming question.
Content Advisory:
Sex and Nudity: None in the debut episode.
Concluding Scene:
Parting Shot: The episode concludes by revisiting Bolt running down the street, but now with the added context of what he is desperately fleeing.
Standout Performance:
Sleeper Star: Shalate Sekhabi’s portrayal of Nthabi is poised to be pivotal in Bolt’s journey. His commitment to their relationship suggests his absence will be challenging. Moreover, her familial connection to Mandla raises questions about her reaction to the eventual revelation of the truth.
Predictability Quotient:
Most Pilot-y Line: The predictable altercation following Bolt’s victory against the relay team, resulting in him being assaulted and robbed, was anticipated.
Verdict:
Our Call: STREAM IT. Go! endeavors to refine the typical prep-school outsider narrative by escalating the stakes for its protagonist entering this environment. The initial episode effectively establishes these stakes, promising a compelling series.