Mystic: TVNZ’s dark horse evokes memories of Kiwi Kidult classics from the past

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REVIEW: The drama increases on Mystic.

New Zealand television’s dark horse (even though the eponymous horse is white) is back tomorrow (Monday, July 18) for a third season on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+, featuring an additional eight episodes of engaging and environmentally aware viewing for young and old.

A collaboration between TVNZ, the CBBC and Australia’s Seven Network, this Auckland-made adaptation of Kiwi author Stacy Gregg’s beloved 1990s book series Pony Club Secrets has gained a loyal audience both here and in the UK and US (where it is shown on the cable network UP TV) – and rightly so.

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Series creators Amy Shindler and Beth Chalmers (Threesome, Horrible Histories) did a great job of creating a framework of complex, lovable characters and giving them believable dialogue. They also get the right tone. What might have come across as overly preachy or poetic is instead a much more relaxed delight. Think of it as a teen/tween version of 800 Words of Mercy Peak, a drama in which a water bottling plant shares screen time with a pig “doing something unspeakable in a gumboot” until the bad times.

For viewers over the age of 40, it brings back fond memories of shows like Under the Mountain, The Kids From Owl, The Firestarter, The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred, and Ratsguts. That time in the late 1970s and early 1980s when New Zealand ruled the world when it came to “kidult” television and along with Canada, with its countless Lucy Maud Montgomery adaptations and the addictive juggernaut that was The Littlest Hobo, developed We developed a reputation for creating television stories that kids around the world wanted to see.

This story of British teen Issie Brown (Holby City’s Macey Chipping) who gradually finds her way into a new life in rural New Zealand feels right at home alongside those Kiwi classics. As this latest episode kicks off, the Kauri Point equestrian team celebrates their championship qualification and the elimination of one of their great rivals – Dulmouth Park. The next leg won’t be easy though, not only will the competition now turn into a cross-country event, but they’ll have to overcome the crack Laurieston Farm team, whose lineup includes Kauri rider Caroline’s (Jacqueline Joe) new long-distance boyfriend Zac. .

“We’re like Romeo and Juliet,” she says, a lament that was met with cynicism by the others. “I don’t think their problem was a three-hour car ride,” Issie snaps.

She has more pressing concerns of her own. While her mom is on vacation with Natasha’s dad (Antonia Robinson), Issie has taken the opportunity for more secret video chats with her estranged grandfather Gordon (Bruce Phillips). Convinced that her mother only needs to see him to thaw the relationship between them, she invites him to her mother’s birthday party – a risky move that doesn’t end well.

Adding to Issie’s woes are more mystical visions of impending disaster possibly linked to an illegal trawler that has caused significant damage to the coastal animals, while the closure of the Arohanui Horse Rescue Center means local stable owner Tom (Kirk Torrence) is reluctantly persuaded by his protégé Dan (Max Crean) to adopt a horse whose owner has not only recently died but is also suffering from mud fever.

Despite its fantastic elements, it is Mystic’s nature that makes it an entertaining and captivating watch. With a lovable cast of teens and adults that also includes Catherine Downes, Laura Patch and Phil Brown, this is an easy series to get hooked on whether it’s through daily school holidays or as a winter afternoon binge-watch.

Season 3 of Mystic begins airing on TVNZ 2 on Monday, July 18 at 3:50 PM. Episodes will also be available to stream on TVNZ+.