‘OMG’ resists taking the easy way out

If it continues the way it’s currently unfolding, ABS-CBN’s new late-morning drama series, “Oh My G,” could turn out to be uniquely entertaining and instructive. Young viewers find it easy to relate to, because it’s about a troubled teen (Janella Salvador) who loses her parents early on and has to get the rest of her life going, pretty much on her own.

Happily, she has a very important helpmeet to assist her in the difficult process—no less than the Big G Himself (hence the series’ title)!

Other God-oriented series would take the easy way out, pontificate all the way, and get the miracles going and coming from all sides.

Thus far, however, “OMG” has resisted the facile temptation and tries to keep things as “normal” as possible, with its eventual transformations attained not through divine fiat, but by the teen protagonist’s own efforts (—with some “holy help,” of course).

Salvador. Gets some “holy help” in God-oriented series.

So far, so good

So far, so good for the show, which is now on its third week but is still eminently viewable and easy to believe in, and empathize with.

To be sure, Janella’s character, Sophie, is wealthy and doesn’t have to worry about a thing when it comes to finances and living the good life. But, the recent death of her father has knocked the breath out of her, psychologically speaking, so she really has her work cut out for her to make new sense of her life before her deep sense of loss and bereavement completely overwhelms her.

This is where the series’ “G” character steps in: Introduced a bit later in the show, He’s first presented as a handsome young man (Luke Jickain) who meets Sophie in an elevator—and stumps her by being able to “read” her thoughts—and heart.

At first, she thinks she’s getting loopy due to her depression, but she eventually realizes that she’s just gotten the “holy help” that will enable her to get herself and her life back on track.

Being young, however, there are times when she doesn’t welcome the assistance, and even finds it intrusive. But, her problems start to pile up and swamp her, so the time does come when she realizes that she can’t do it alone and needs help—the holier, the better!

New complications that have presented themselves of late include a less than fully accepting surrogate family, especially an uppity cousin who resents all of the extra attention Sophie has been getting due to her bereavement.

Romantic sights

Then, there are male schoolmates who have set their romantic sights on her, but she has too much on her mind to pay attention to them—yet.

As of now, the series is focused on how its teen protagonist copes with her huge loss, and how “G,” in various ways and forms, helps her see the light—in a feelingly “normal” and empathetic way.

It is hoped that other teenagers will open themselves up to God’s presence in their lives in this undidactic way. With all of the growing pains they’re experiencing, complicated by even bigger and more daunting societal concerns, “OMG” can be a substantial blessing—if it continues to keep things relatively real.

Aside from its major plus points, we also like “OMG” for its occasional penchant for coming up with useful “reminders” to viewers.

For instance, in last Thursday’s episode, a character reminded her sons to shut off an electric fan that was kept running with nobody in the room. —A detail, really, but additional evidence that the show’s mind and heart—are in the right place!