Off Campus Recap Season 1 Episode 2: The Practice

Maybe I ought to watch more school romances, because I am surprisingly, genuinely enjoying Off Campus. Two episodes in, and it is a show that is unapologetically horny, but also, it provides a safe space. Hannah does not drink at parties, and both Garrett and his best friend Logan just understood that, and got her a closed can because it was safer. Garrett and Hannah spent the night in the same bedroom, but though, after at first claiming spots on the floor, they eventually ended up and fell asleep on the bed, when Garrett woke up, he turned off the lights and returned to the floor. Where were guys like this when I was at uni? 

Being in a fake relationship meant selling it, and not just to Justin but more importantly to Jules, Logan’s sibling who also happened to run the Briar gossip account known as Fifth Line. For the relationship between Garrett and Hannah to appear legitimate, they needed to be published on Fifth Line. The plan was for them to then break up so that Justin could swoop in. 

The Di Laurentis party following an away game provided another opportunity for Garrett and Hannah to shove their relationship on Justin’s face. Allie, who was in on the deal, backed Garrett’s point that Hannah needed to dress for the male gaze, at least this time. Her costume was the Elle Woods bunny one from Legally Blonde. I thought Allie’s JLo Versace dress was better (Sean went as Ben Affleck lol), but Hannah looked beautiful and Garrett had no problem selling his attraction to her, because it was real. 

What I appreciate about the show is how it balances the raging uni sexual energy with more serious aspects of the story without bringing down the mood. When Garrett took off his shirt in the bedroom, what at first seemed like just another opportunity to show his body provided a startling realisation for Hannah on the punishment his body took with every game. The bruises were quite visible, and he was shrugging them off. His story about the pressure his father put on him when he was a kid was borderline abusive. He played hockey because, as he pointed out, ‘I wouldn’t know who I am without it.’ The two of them sending each other posts was cute. Garrett also admitted seeing her singing that night of the game, and claimed that she centred him. 

Of course, Hannah was still all about Justin, and when she admitted to struggling with writing her showcase song, Garrett suggested asking Justin for help. The next day, they boarded separate buses back to campus, with Garrett on the jock bus and Hannah, alone at first, smiling back at him, until Justin asked to sit next to her. 

Two episodes in, and I am not at all saying that Off Campus is a youthful romance for the ages. It is a fun romp. It knows it is a fun romp. One love triangle won’t be able to sustain all eight episodes, and it has begun to expand the story, now with Dean’s eye having fallen on the mesmerising Allie at his party. I’m still in.

Rating: B

Strays 

🌸Girls who follow the hockey team were apparently called puck bunnies. Hmm. 

🌸Allie and Sean’s on-off romance was quickly moving toward off. Perfect timing for Dean?

🌸To the outside world, even to his teammates, Hannah was Garrett’s Philosophy tutor and his non-exclusive girlfriend. 

🌸’He’s good.’ ‘Problem is, he knows it.’ Ain’t that the truth.

🌸Garrett and Hannah had their first kiss as practice, then Hannah went and kissed Logan. Hmm.

🌸’This is the part where I tell you all the things I wanna do to you when we’re alone. Now, you can blush.’ Thanks for the permission, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you, sir? What? It's not that kind of show? Okay.

Episode Title: The Practice

Episode Teleplay: Louisa Levy & Nick Bragg

Episode Director: Silver Tree

Original Release Date: May 13, 2026

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