Forever” Future: “This Isn’t the End

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CAUTION: This narrative reveals plot twists from the final episode of “Forever,” which is currently available on Netflix.

Towards the end of Mara Brock Akil’s Netflix series “Forever,” the 18-month romance between characters Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone) and Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.) reaches its climax. With high school behind them, they find themselves on a dimly lit street in Los Angeles. As Frank Ocean’s “Moon River” plays softly, Justin kisses Keisha’s forehead after touching the infinity symbol necklace he had given her. She pauses and looks back momentarily, before walking away. In response, Justin departs in the opposite direction.

The final episode of “Forever,” based on Judy Blume’s influential novel, presents a poignantly stunning and heart-wrenching conclusion. This eight-episode season follows the story of two Black teenagers who fall in love, experience heartbreak, and drift apart, yet remain intact but forever transformed.

Lovie Simone, the star, expresses her thoughts by saying, “I believe this isn’t the final act, but rather the conclusion of a specific phase for these characters, as we know them now. I hope they won’t part ways. I’m rooting for Justin and Keisha to stay together.

Following the heartfelt and captivating viewing of “Forever,” there’s little doubt that viewers will concur. Through its portrayal of complex emotions like breakups, reunions, errors, and the myriad challenges of adolescence, Brock Akil crafts a multidimensional and comprehensive depiction of first love. Actress Simone shares her experience working with Mara: “It was enjoyable! She was very dedicated, energetic, and always engaged. It gave me confidence as an actress. Plus, loving her after our collaboration because I admire ‘Girlfriends,’ ‘Love Is…’, and ‘The Game’ only added to that feeling.

At the stroke of New Year, Keisha and Justin, old kindergarten buddies, run into each other at a lively New Year’s Eve bash. Sparks fly instantly, creating a palpable connection between them. The relationship dynamics between Simone and Cooper add fuel to the fire, making their romance one of the most captivating on screen.

In an intriguing turn of events, I found my on-screen bond with my co-star effortlessly developing. Sharing the limelight for several months, we discovered our shared passions and hobbies made the connection feel organic. However, the challenge came when we were instructed to maintain a certain distance. Our characters had a history dating back to elementary school, reconnecting in high school. Regina King, the show’s executive producer and the director of the first episode, asked us to prepare by minimizing our interactions off-screen. As a result, we had to suppress our budding relationship, creating a palpable tension filled with unspoken longings and hesitant encounters.

Teenage relationships for Keisha and Justin are made even more challenging by family responsibilities and academic pressures. However, their relationship faces an additional burden: a secret that Keisha is desperately trying to leave behind – her former boyfriend, Christian (Xavier Mills), recorded her in a private moment and later circulated the video among their school peers. Despite switching schools to avoid the humiliation, she struggles to keep the sex tape hidden from her mother and the damage it caused to her reputation continues to haunt her and her growing bond with Justin.

Simone recalls trying to be as understanding as possible towards Keisha,” she says. “She’s a young girl navigating new experiences, including love and romance, but she’s also dealing with the emotional turmoil caused by her past trauma. I supported Keisha in her choices because they were integral steps in her personal growth and self-discovery.

Keisha’s mother, Shelly (played by Xosha Roquemore), is a single parent who goes out of her way to provide opportunities for her daughter that she never had. However, the track star finds herself in a difficult situation when a sex tape involving her comes to light. When Justin’s parents discover the video, his mother, Dawn (played by Karen Pittman), sets a tough condition for the pair. In Episode 6, titled “The Honeymoon,” Keisha confides in her shocked and dismayed mom about why she relinquished her scholarship and transferred from her previous school.

Simone reminisces about the memorable experience, saying, “It was enjoyable for me and Xosha. I had the chance to deeply connect with Keisha and delve into her character, while she took on Shelly. Our previous interactions were all about bonding, as we’re friends and have a good rapport. Working with her felt effortless and organic, as if we were flowing together. She is a single mom, which mirrors my upbringing with a younger mother. These shared experiences made our collaboration seamless.

The main topics in “Forever” revolve around sex, intimacy, and consent, with creator Brock Akil not hesitating to explore the mixed feelings, desire, and thrill often associated with teenage sexual encounters. Simone mentions that they had an intimacy coordinator named Sasha Smith on set, who approached things differently compared to her past experiences with such coordinators. According to Simone, during rehearsals, Sasha, Michael, Mara, and she would be alone together, running through the scene and discussing their actions while maintaining innocence and action. Although there was a lot of shown consent in the film, there was also a significant amount of it happening off-screen as well. Simone found this process comfortable and straightforward.

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In the television series “Forever,” themes of sex, intimacy, and consent are at the forefront. Brock Akil doesn’t hesitate to delve into the complex emotions, desire, and excitement that can arise from teenage sexual experiences. Simone shares that they had an intimacy coordinator named Sasha Smith on set, who approached things differently than she was accustomed to with such coordinators. During rehearsals, Sasha, Michael, Mara, and Simone would often work together alone, going over the scene and discussing their actions while maintaining a sense of innocence and action. Although there were many instances of shown consent on screen, there was also a lot of it happening behind the scenes as well. Simone found this process comfortable and easy to navigate.

Simone particularly enjoys romantic tales such as Constance Sayers’ “A Witch in Time” and the romance between Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne on “A Different World.” She quickly devoured Blume’s 1975 novel prior to her audition for “Forever.” Though she hasn’t met the renowned author personally, Blume’s sons did stop by the set. Simone shares that she learned from Mara (presumably a friend or colleague) that Blume appreciates the show. “I’m glad I could be involved in something she seems to like,” says Simone.

Already receiving acclaim, ‘Forever’ sees Simone nominated for a Gotham TV Award for exceptional lead performance in a drama series. As the last episode concludes, Simone expresses her wish for Keisha and Justin’s narrative to provide viewers with more than just the tribulations and victories of young love. “I hope they yearn for love,” she expresses, “but I also aspire for people to cherish themselves as much as they long to be loved.

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2025-05-11 00:26