The show returns to its familiar theme of intrigue and suspense in Parkhurst High. It seems, though, that the story writing isn’t as smooth this time. Although the previous seasons were full of suspense due to their speed, Season 4 appears to have slowed down, giving the impression of a series quickly running out of things to offer.
Since its first airing, Blood and Water has brightened up South African television with fresh production and stories focused on important issues. In Season 4, the makers no longer focus on strong emotion, choosing instead to rely on familiar situations and skippable dialogue.
Plot
In Season 4, the girls experience more lies and betrayal after everything in Season 3. The creator’s endeavor to shed light on major issues, including what happens after Lisbeth broke the law, the relationship between KB, Puleng, and Wade, and the story of Fikile’s family after losing her children.
Nevertheless, a difficult puzzle later turns into a repeating pattern. What was once a real sense of suspense seems to be created only for the movie. I can guess the significant surprises. Creating films involves checking lists for them instead of forming a gripping story.
In contrast to the previous seasons, Season 4 of Blood and Water relies too much on simple predictions. The drama continues to serve its purpose; however, it fails to match the power that made the show unique.
Character Arcs
This season, we have seen very little development of the main characters. Besides a few brief moments, Puleng acts more passively in Season 4 than in other episodes. Mariah’s behavior seems unpredictable and her emotions hardly progress.
Ironically, Fikile has brought a sense of drama and vulnerability to the series for months. There is too much unnecessary melodrama in the storyline given to Kendall this time. Rather than focusing on what she experienced before, the show features minor conflicts between people.
Wade, KB, Reece, and Chris were once important characters, but now they only exist as plot companions. You barely feel connected to any of the characters, and their plots lack intensity. The love stories in recent movies seem repetitive and boring.
Visuals and Direction
Blood and Water remains impressive in terms of visuals. How the movie is filmed highlights the beauty of Cape Town and makes it feel clear and convincing. Like before, Parkhurst High looks stylish and decadent, mixing bright and colorful themes with moodier lines.
Still, good images cannot compensate for other issues. The filmmakers rely heavily on average ideas during this season, with only a few outstanding highlights. Even though the show depends on classic visual styles and scenes, it provides almost nothing fresh. Increasing suspense used to be crucial to the films, but now it just looks decorative.
Pacing and Structure
Blood and Water has greatly benefited from moving at the proper speed. Previously, viewers felt a sense of urgency throughout each episode. Alternatively, Season 4 does not move forward smoothly. The story is slowed by too many extra plots, moments set in the past, and scenes that simply take up time.
The film now has numerous repetitive arguments and slow bits of information-sharing. Since the main mystery is unclear and its outcomes are unimportant, it has little impact on the viewer. It often sticks on unnecessary scenes that should have been edited out.
Themes and Tone
In essence, Blood and Water revolves around what it means to have an identity. These subjects were discussed in detail and with enthusiasm earlier in the series, covering ideas such as race, privileged lives, adoption, and trauma. Although the themes exist in Season 4, it’s clear that the style has become cruder than what we saw in earlier seasons.
The messages about society are not meaningfully explored. The show prefers to keep its opinions broad and uninteresting instead of being bold. Unlike before, it tries to be pleasant rather than aiming to challenge its readers.
New Additions to the Cast
The writer adds new characters in Season 4 to liven up the story. However, most of the new features are poorly explored and portrayed. Often, what they do in the story mostly destroys rather than strengthens the relationships.
Showing these characters didn’t make the Star Wars world more interesting; they felt like afterthoughts. The season fails to make an impact since the audience isn’t allowed to feel for the characters.
Soundtrack
An area where Blood and Water is always at its best is the music. Season 4’s soundtrack features talented South Africans and mixes in songs from around the world. Every song is placed to increase the drama and make typical sequences more interesting.
Among the few things that haven’t changed, the music is fresh and creative. It proves what the series succeeds at when it draws attention to our modern world with passion and elegance.
Season 4 of Blood and Water demonstrates what a series must avoid when it loses its plot thread. While Trese is still attractive and meaningful to viewers, storytelling has grown dull. It appears that the series’ goals have been abandoned, leaving it to survive as best as it can.
Now that we are uncertain about Season 5, the question is: Has Blood and Water reached its conclusion, or can it return to its beginning? Even for fans, change is needed: Either Marvel TV has to reinvent itself or focus more deeply on creating real stories.
FAQs
Is Blood and Water Season 4 worth watching?
If you’re already invested in the series, it may be worth watching for closure. However, new viewers may find it lacking the intrigue that made earlier seasons compelling.
How many episodes are there in Season 4?
Season 4 consists of six episodes, each ranging between 45 minutes to an hour.
Does Season 4 resolve the central mystery?
It attempts to, but the resolution is muddled and less impactful than expected. Several loose ends are left unresolved.
Are there any standout performances in this season?
While the main cast continues to deliver solid performances, the lack of strong writing limits their ability to shine.
Will there be a Season 5 of Blood and Water?
As of now, Netflix has not confirmed a fifth season. Given the decline in quality, the future of the series remains uncertain.
Can new viewers start from Season 4?
It’s not recommended. Season 4 heavily relies on previous plotlines and character relationships. Starting from Season 1 is essential for full context.
