"GREEK"
Starring Jacob Zachar,
Spencer Grammer, Jake McDorman,
Scott Foster, Dilshad Vadsaria
ABC Family, 7 p.m. Mondays

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FULL EPISODES

The characters in 'Greek' may not serve as the best role models, but they provide an honest portrayal of college life. In the end, there are some good values to take away.

COLLEGE. IT'S A Rush, figuratively and literally.

I first heard about “Greek” from my esteemed colleague and fellow “Gossip Girl” fan, Shivani Khanna, who suggested that since I love “Gossip Girl,” I would be sure to enjoy “Greek.”

Shivani couldn’t have predicted it better. After watching my first episode of “Greek” on ABC Family, I was hooked. In fact, I spent my entire weekend catching up on the episodes that I've missed by watching the entire first season on the ABC Family Web site.

From the title, one might think that “Greek” is a show about people from Greece. However, this particular “Greek” actually refers to the collegiate Greek system which is responsible for the establishment of sororities and fraternities on campuses all over the country.

Oooh boy. A show about fraternities and sororities? How … um … WASP-y and girly.

Initially, I was skeptical, too. The whole sorority and fraternity thing is so cliché. It’s just about the lives of a bunch of blonde, stupid, fake-baked girls and arrogant football players, right?

In a way, yes. “Greek” does reflect many of the stereotypes that people have regarding sororities and fraternities. Two of the main characters of the show, Casey Cartwright (Spencer Grammer) and Evan Chambers (Jake McDorman), are wealthy, blonde, and popular. In fact, a large majority of the cast fits the stereotype of the typical sorority or fraternity member.

However, there are other characters who add depth and variety to the show. Another main character, Rusty Cartwright (Casey’s little brother, played by Jacob Zachar), is a nerdy, polymer science major who decided to change his image by rushing a fraternity. Rusty's roommate, Dale (Clark Duke) is a hardcore Baptist who is against any kind of sexual behavior and is the leader of USAG (University Students Against Greeks).

The show begins with the arrival of a dazed and clueless Rusty at the fictional Cyprus-Rhodes University. A former geek at his high school, Rusty resolves to leave his image behind and attempts to get into a fraternity. He eventually turns out to be a pretty cool guy and becomes a pledge at Kappa Tau Gamma (ΚΤΓ).

The story behind “Greek” is based on several intertwining plots revolving around various characters. One central story is focused on Casey, who is aspiring to become the future president of her sorority, the Zeta Beta Zeta (ZBZ).

However, the day after Rush Night, she discovers that her boyfriend, Evan, cheated on her with Rebecca Logan (Dilshad Vadsaria), one of the ZBZ pledges. So she in turn decides to hook up with her ex-boyfriend, Cappie (Scott Foster), president of the Kappa Tau.

Another plot is based on Rusty, who wants to be accepted by his Kappa Tau brothers. Throughout his entire life, Casey has always been the pretty, popular sibling while he was the nerdy, friendless one. Now that he’s in college, Rusty wants to have a social life like his sister. Initially, Casey is embarrassed to even admit that she has a brother. However, as the show progresses, the siblings begin to get along and look out for each other.

“Greek” does an excellent job of depicting the politics behind the Greek system, something that most people don’t consider when they think about sororities and fraternities. In the show, Casey has to be nice to Rebecca even though Rebecca slept with Evan because Rebecca’s father is the senator. It’s simply bad politics to mess with the senator’s daughter.

After blackmailing Rebecca with a sex tape, Casey finally decides to become Rebecca’s “big sister” in the sorority. As they say, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.

In addition, the ZBZ president tells Casey not to break up with Evan, because of his family’s wealth and connections. If she did, she would basically have no chance of becoming ZBZ president (since Evan was part of her appeal).

“Greek” also does a great job portraying the dynamics behind the Greek system. Each sorority or fraternity has its own image: The ZBZs have the prettiest girls, the best grades, and they get to “mix” with the hottest fraternity, the Omega Chi Deltas. The Omega Chis are all athletic, handsome, and stereotypically WASPs. The Omega Chis’ biggest rivals are the Kappa Taus, who are a bunch of screw-ups who spend their time playing video games and getting wasted.

The young ensemble cast in “Greek” provides a lively, light-hearted, and at times heartwarming depiction of college life. Yes, the sorority girls can be a bit too cheery at times, and the show is essentially a soap opera, but the overall depiction of the Greek life is realistic and not overly dramatic.

My only complaint is the channel that the show is aired on. ABC Family is supposed to be a children-friendly network. It’s supposed to air “wholesome” series like “7th Heaven” and “Gilmore Girls.” With all the partying, underage drinking, and sex, “Greek” just doesn’t seem to fit in with ABC Family’s other programs.

However, despite the depictions of frequent binge drinking and casual sex, “Greek” is still a show worth watching. The characters may not serve as the best role models, but they provide an honest portrayal of college life. In the end, there are some good values to take away, such as the strength of sisterhood and brotherhood, the power of true love, and the importance of maintaining a good image.

Plus, Rusty serves as the moral backbone for the series: Even though he is in a fraternity, he still retains his personality and moral standards. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t hook up with random girls, and he still maintains his high academic standards.

Essentially, “Greek” is a show about college life. It’s about young people trying to have fun. The four years of college are supposed to be the best years of a person’s life. It gives young adults an opportunity to be free from parental restrictions and to find their own place in the world. Even if that involves drunken escapades, sex scandals, and cheating on final exams to get by, in the end, maybe it’s all worth it

Watching “Greek” has made me long to go to college. For better or for worse, it has also influenced me to want to join a sorority. With all the fascinating rituals, awesome parties, and strong friendships, what could be better than being Greek?