MTV is already known for possibly the most infamous depiction of lesbianism in contemporary American television with the US version of Skins. Heck even their Real World franchise has shown itself capable of marginalizing their rare lesbian roommates (ex. Sam, Arielle). So it was certainly a bit scary how badly this could go.
So it is welcome that this show is not as offensive or unwatchable as it could have been considering the commercials and the seemingly unforgiveable premise. However the show has a glaring, gigantic problem already.
There tends to be a slight lopsidedness to love triangles. However lets examine this. Typically you have two people falling for the same character. In this case, that character is Karma. You then have the two characters that are both focused on the same person. In that case, there is Liam and Amy. This usually results in two factions - one for each suitor. And there tends to be an edge for one faction. For example, Dawson and Pacey both like Joey and after awhile Pacey took the edge for most fans.
But there are two immense problems here. One is that Karma, the object of interest, is not worthy of such desire. So we spend our time going why would anyone want to be with her.
The other problem is far bigger. The rooting interest is a no brainer. It is not a matter of an edge. It is a matter of no contest. Liam comes across as thoroughly detestable. He comes across as malignant almost sending chills through the spine. He is so vile that any redemption for him would seem bogus. Here is a man who believes two women are together so he immediately decides he has to **** one of them. He gets off on it. He lives for it. To think that such a guy, a lowlife who not only believes in cheating but wishes to make sure to conquer lesbianism, is going to believably change into a worthwhile human being is way too ridiculous (MTV will no doubt have him do sacrificial things but it can only seem phony and pandering). That would make the Degrassi change of hearts look believable by contrast. Besides preteens going he's so dreamy, who in the world would root for this scum of the earth. Consider this recent review for The New York Obsever in which the critic cannot contain her contempt for the very being of Liam calling him a "douche-bag" and a "creep".
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What makes it even more egregious in it's lopsidedness is his rival, Amy, is simply loveable. She is sweet, insecure, hopeful, and conflicted in a way so many teens are. She is endearing. We may not care for Karma and go Amy can do much better. However if Amy wants to be with Karma, we don't want Amy's heart broken. She is the character who the audience immediately sides with - so much so that even though Karma is not really with Amy, it still feels loathsome that Karma makes out with Liam - as if she is betraying Amy.
This may be the most lopsided love triangle on tv in recent memory. Now the question is how does the show survive that. It is clear Liam is designed for it's primary audience - straight teenage girls. But the show dies when he is onscreen. This show has a chance but it's pandering to kids only concerned with hot looks makes for a show that fluctuates between the unwatchable (anytime Liam is onscreen) with the very watchable (Amy).
Also nice to see Bailey Buntain back on tv even if she is more a stereotype than an actual character at this point.