Hindsight (TV series)

Plot

On the eve of her second wedding, Becca Brady has doubts about marrying fiancé Andy, who lacks the excitement of her first husband Sean. Trapped in an elevator, she wishes she could have done things differently and wakes up in New York City in 1995, the day of her first wedding. Realizing she is reliving her life, Becca reunites with her estranged best friend Lolly.

Knowing her first marriage will end in arguments and Sean will fail as an artist, she breaks off the engagement. She also quits her assistant job after refusing to tolerate her demanding boss Simon, pursuing an uncertain new career. Becca does not know if she can change her fate but resolves to try.

Production

The series was originally developed for NBC in 2009. VH1, seeking scripted series, adopted the project with small changes, including moving the time leap from 1999 to 1995.

After renewal for a second season, the show was cancelled following a leadership change at VH1; the entire second season had been mapped out, and writers were on episode five. Fox noted they ended season one on a cliffhanger because they knew of the renewal. A companion web series, Planet Sebastian, streamed on the VH1 website, featuring recurring character Sebastian Wexler hosting a public access style talk show.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, Hindsight holds a 100% approval rating from 12 critics, with an average rating of 7.5 out of 10; the site's consensus calls it a fun and charming romp with an earnest sense of humor, excellent characters, and 90s nostalgia. Metacritic gives a score of 72 out of 100 from 8 critics, indicating generally favorable reviews.

Variety described the show as breezy with an intriguing premise but noted narrative inconsistencies. Rolling Stone praised the Becca-Lolly relationship and the use of 90s pop culture archetypes. Vulture called the vision perfect, while The New York Times deemed it clever, affecting, and sly, comparing it to Beverly Hills, 90210 and Friends.

Music

Music from the 1990s is heavily used in the series and was a significant part of VH1's promotion. Creator Emily Fox said she wanted songs that reach into the back of one's consciousness, not number one hits. Music supervisor Jon Ernst was praised for his selections and for securing licensing at reasonable cost through three-year deals.