Runways

Runaways, which debuted on Hulu in November 2017 and continued through 2018 for its first season, is a unique addition to the Marvel cinematic universe that targets a younger audience than most of its counterparts. It is based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name and was created for television by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, who were previously known for developing teen dramas.

The show is a bold and intriguing mix of teen drama and superhero narrative that follows the lives of six diverse teenagers from Los Angeles – Alex Wilder, Nico Minoru, Karolina Dean, Chase Stein, Gert Yorkes, and Molly Hernandez. These teens couldn't be more different and have various backgrounds, interests, and lifestyles. However, they all share a common bond – their parents are part of a secret society known as The Pride.

As each teen grapples with ordinary teenage issues, from high school drama, romantic entanglements, to struggles with identity and family relationships, they soon uncover that their parents are involved in more nefarious activities than they could ever have imagined. The Pride appears to be an organization of philanthropists and community leaders, but the veneer of benevolence quickly fades when the teens witness a disturbing ritual that suggests their parents are not who they claim to be. This realization marks the beginning of the show's main arc.

Fueled by a need to atone for their parents' sins, and driven by a mixture of horror, betrayal, and moral obligation, the six teenagers go on the run. Dubbed "runaways," they hope to expose the corruption of The Pride and stop the dark deeds they uncover along the way. However, as they dig deeper, they're confronted with a complexity of issues and discover that the world's fate may rest on their shoulders. Their journey is fraught with danger, not only from the pursuits of their powerful parents but from the discovery of their burgeoning powers and abilities, which are integral to the storyline and character development.

Alex Wilder is the de facto leader, a natural strategist and planner who works to keep the group united. Nico Minoru is mysterious and introspective, with an affinity for Wiccan practices, while Karolina Dean struggles with the enormity of her family's secrets and her unique heritage. Chase Stein, the high school jock with an engineering genius, grapples with his father's expectations versus his own desires. Gert Yorkes provides a lot of the show’s comic relief with her outspoken, social justice mentality. She's linked closely with the youngest of the group, Molly Hernandez, a bundle of teen energy with extraordinary strength, grappling with her own personal losses.

Each of the teenagers slowly comes of age and masters their unique abilities. These include a wide range of powers, from super strength, magical skills, to control over technology, as well as a connection to a genetically engineered dinosaur named Old Lace, which becomes an unexpected ally to the group. As individuals, they each face a conflict between the life they've always known and the fight they've chosen to take on against The Pride.

What makes Runaways stand out from other superhero shows is its seamless blend of genres. It incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, and the supernatural within a coming-of-age narrative framework. The show exudes a distinct teen drama vibe reminiscent of other popular series in the same vein, which grounds its more fantastic elements in the reality of teenage angst and growth.

The first season serves as an origin story for the group, spending a significant amount of time on character development and background, intertwining the kids' personal journeys with the overarching plot. It is as much about forming a new chosen family as it is about righting wrongs. As the teens learn to rely on one another, they also confront the complicated nature of their parents' lives, which aren't painted in simple, villainous strokes but are given depth and motivation.

In terms of visual identity, Runaways employs a color palette and cinematography that enhance its youthful and occasionally dark tone. The use of Los Angeles as a backdrop gives it both a grounded and expansive setting, exploring themes of wealth disparity, power, and the facade of suburban perfection. The show also delves into themes such as identity, loyalty, friendship, and the challenging transition from adolescence to adulthood.

With a carefully crafted soundtrack, contemporary issues woven into its narrative, and a diverse cast, Runaways captures the pulse of modern youth culture while sustaining the high stakes and expansive world-building typical to the superhero genre.

While the show can at times feel like it’s attempting to juggle too many subplots, as it needs to provide ample screen time to its ensemble cast, Runaways ultimately manages to engage its audience with leaf-edge cliffhangers, emotionally-gripping story arcs, and a premise that speaks to both younger viewers and those who enjoy character-driven, serialized storytelling that is a hallmark of the Marvel universe.

By the end of its inaugural season and as it progresses through subsequent ones, Runaways achieves a satisfying balance between the personal and the epic, delivering on the promise of its source material and capturing the hearts of an audience looking for heroes as complex and relatable as themselves.