‘On My Block” Is the Ambitiously Quirky ‘Skins’ of East LA

This new coming of age Netflix drama/comedy is a look into adolescent life for POC in East LA. On My Block follows 5 young children as they transition out of middle school and into their first year of high school. It is a story of friendship and sticking together through thick and thin. But these teenagers aren’t dealing with just the regular crushes, parties, and chem quizzes. They are also fulfilling generational expectations to play football, join gangs and somewhat chaotic home lives while navigating the awkward emotions and social constructs on top of that. Our main character, in my opinion, is Monse Finnie played by Sierra Capri. She is the only girl in her crew (at the beginning) whom the show has ascribed a “tomboy” characteristic too. She is the young girl who blossoms over one summer into a woman but has the tough edge that will never fade. She lives with her father who is a trucker and on the road often. Her mother is not in the picture, which we learn more about throughout the episodes. On My Block The next member of the friend group is our bad boy, Cesar Diaz played by Diego Tinoco whose family is thick as thieves in gang relations. He is in a long line of gang members and feels a sense of responsibility to join and be a part of that culture. His personality and effect is not one that you feel would even be influenced by that lifestyle. Cesar actually engaging in this lifestyle adds a certain element to the show as well. Cesar and Monse are our star-crossed lover…