Ginny & Georgia’s Teen Characters All Struggle In Season 3, But I Never Expected One Story To Hit So Hard

This article contains discussions of depression and addiction, as well as a reference to bulimia.

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Ginny & Georgia season 3, episodes 1-10.

Mental health is at the forefront of many of the teen storylines in Ginny & Georgia season 3, and I was expecting Ginny and Marcus to deliver emotional punches, given their circumstances. However, I wasn’t expecting one teen character’s narrative to hit me so hard. Ginny & Georgia season 3 opens where season 2 leaves off: with Georgia arrested for murder and her family reeling from that turn of events. Georgia’s murder trial proves tumultuous, putting Ginny and Austin through incredibly difficult times before Georgia is eventually acquitted — and only thanks to a hard choice from Austin.

While the Miller family’s struggles take center stage in season 3, the Netflix show never forgets about its great supporting cast. As you’d expect from teenagers, Ginny’s friends are all grappling with their own problems as she deals with her mother potentially going to prison. Marcus’ mental health struggles escalate this season, with him developing an alcohol addition. Meanwhile, the show digs into Abby’s experience with bulimia and her issues with her new step-mother. These are all difficult to watch, but a surprising teen storyline makes me the most emotional: Maxine’s.

All The Characters Struggle In Ginny & Georgia Season 3, But Max’s Story Hit Me The Hardest

It Comes On Suddenly & Is Overlooked By Almost Everyone

Almost all the teen characters struggle in Ginny & Georgia season 3, and there’s no sense in arguing about who has it the hardest. After all, it’s not a competition, and each teen’s story is devastating in its own way. But for me, Maxine’s unraveling at the end of Ginny & Georgia season 3 comes on so suddenly and unexpectedly that it’s difficult to shake the emotional impact. The other teens are upfront about the challenges they’re facing, even in the earlier outings, but Maxine is the member of the group who always seems upbeat and eager to support everyone else.

Georgia looking shocked in Ginny & Georgia season 3

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This makes the realization that she’s struggling too so much sadder, especially since her increasing anxiety and unhappiness mostly goes unnoticed. Her parents write her off as the twin who doesn’t need as much help, and it’s understandable that they’re wrapped up in what’s happening with Marcus. Even so, Marcus’ alcoholism and depression are affecting Maxine, and it’s tragic that they fail to acknowledge it. Her friends don’t notice, either, and it’s clear that Max is headed towards her own battle with depression by the final moments of the finale.

For viewers who understand what it’s like to walk through life with mental illness, unbeknownst to the people around them, Max’s arc is hard-hitting.

Given the genetic components of mental illness, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Maxine is just as vulnerable to depression as Marcus. But none of the other characters really seem to consider this, and they take her typical over-the-top and cheery attitude for granted. Because Max is better at hiding her feelings, they tend to be overshadowed by everyone else’s problems. And for viewers who understand what it’s like to walk through life with mental illness, unbeknownst to the people around them, Max’s arc is hard-hitting.

Max’s Mental Health Struggles Constantly Being Overshadowed Was Devastating

She Clearly Needs Support, But She’s Written Off As Being Dramatic

Ginny & Georgia season 3 makes a smart decision, shifting to Max’s perspective at the beginning of episode 9, as it allows viewers to understand what she’s been going through the whole season — and we don’t really see it when focused on the other characters. Understandably, Ginny is preoccupied with her mom’s trial for most of this outing, and she seems to be growing apart from Max. And the rest of Max’s family are distracted by Marcus’ much more obvious signs of depression and addiction, not seeing Max’s more subtle cries for help.

But the later episodes of season 3 make it clear that Max is in need of support. She’s trying to reach her brother, she’s begging her mother to send him to rehab, and she’s desperate to connect with her friends. The latter underscores her need for someone to listen, but she doesn’t get that from Ginny, Abby, or Norah. And although Max has a tendency to make things about herself, one gets the sense she’s really trying to be better this season. This is why it hurts to see her genuine concerns written off as her being “too much,“ which leads her to suppress her emotions even more.

Max Trying So Hard To Help Other People Made Her Story Even Sadder

No One Is There For Her In The Same Way She’s There For Them

Max’s problems being overlooked by the people closest to her is even more upsetting given how much she tries to show up for them in Ginny & Georgia season 3. Maxine doesn’t always know the right way to be there for people, but it’s clear she cares deeply about her friends and family, and she tries. She checks in on Ginny, is understanding of her friend’s increasing absence, and is the member of MANG least bothered by Georgia’s arrest. She defends Ginny when the others talk about Georgia, albeit with prompting from Marcus, and she’s quick to help Ginny sneak back home.

Maxine is also fiercely protective of her brother, and she’s one of the only teens paying attention to his increasingly destructive behavior. While Ginny obviously notices, the others enable his alcoholism and treat Max poorly for stepping in. Abby gets drunk alongside Marcus, and she calls Max a killjoy for trying to bring him home from a party. And Max’s short-lived love interest, Silver, takes little interest in whether Marcus’ behavior is harmful. Even after starting a relationship with Max, she refuses to listen to Max’s concerns.

With Max wanting so badly to be there for her friends, it’s devastating to realize that no one is there for her in season 3.

With Max wanting so badly to be there for her loved ones, it’s devastating to realize that no one is there for her in season 3. It’s true that characters like Ginny and Marcus are grappling with their own, more pressing challenges. But the cold way in which Maxine’s friends begin to exclude her feels more sinister than simply failing to notice what she’s going through. And at minimum, Maxine’s parents or girlfriend should be there for her. Unfortunately, there’s a sense that she’s on her own heading into Ginny & Georgia season 4.

Ginny & Georgia Set Max Up To Have A Compelling Arc In Season 4

The Netflix Series Can Have Interesting & Important Conversations

Maxine Baker from Ginny & Georgia sits at her desk in class and talks to Ginny

Although Max’s storyline packs an emotional punch in Ginny & Georgia season 3, it sets the stage for her to have an even more compelling arc in season 4. Jumping into Max’s perspective suggests that she’ll have a bigger role heading into the next outing of the show, which is a welcome development after seeing more depth from her. There are some interesting and important conversations about mental illness the series can have through Maxine’s narrative, as more subtle manifestations of it are just as worthy of help and acknowledgment.

Ginny & Georgia Season 4 Desperately Needs A Time Skip

Ginny & Georgia season 3 completed the story’s first arc, which means now is the perfect time for a big skip – and it’s imperative that this happens.

Assuming the other characters realize what she’s going through, there’s also the potential for some truly emotional and satisfying resolutions in Ginny & Georgia season 4. I’m hoping that Ginny and Max find a way to be there for each other again, even if it means spending some time apart. It would also be nice to see the Baker family come together, with Ellen and Clint stepping up more for both of their kids.