The third season of HBO's 'The White Lotus' introduced a fascinating trio of childhood friends who seem to despise each other until one of them remarks on the profound bond they have – a bond borne out of shared history. It doesn't take long to figure out a parallel dynamic in Netflix's new series, 'The Four Seasons', which is reminiscent of Alan Alda’s 1981 film.

The cast claims four group vacations a year together, but from their visible tension, you can't help but wonder why they still stick around. Despite the passing time, their intertwined relationships and history, the show doesn't seem to capitalise on the dramatic potential.

The show follows three couples; their friendships seem tolerable but their marriages are on the brink of chaos. Steve Carell plays Nick, who unknown to the group has decided to separate from his wife Anne, played by Kerri Kenney-Silver. His decision throws the group into chaos during their subsequent meetups, leading to an introspection of their own relationships.

The show has a promising cast including Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, and Marco Calvani. The challenge however lies in the episodes that seem to get more generic with each passing one; the show doesn’t give the same satisfaction as Fey's '30 rock'. Some quips and comedy payoffs are inadequate to establish the comedic undertones.

The characters are predominantly portrayed as one-dimensional, with some hinted depth to characters like Anne and Ginny, Nick's younger girlfriend. These two women bring emotive complexity to the narrative.

The Four Seasons aims to be an honest portrayal of marriage, filled with regret, resentment, cyclical disagreements and few moments of happiness. As the series progresses, it's clear that the characters are more tied to the pain than the comfort in their relationships. What they experience is akin to the sentiment of those unhappy to make a drastic change in life, because the pain of upheaval seems intolerably high.

After spending four hours watching The Four Seasons, it's easy to conclude that the show offers a less than memorable ride, making you glad you can move on with the rest of your life.