Benny arrives at Yates University for his freshman year, feeling the pressure to maintain his high school "golden boy" image as a former football star and valedictorian from Idaho. On his first day, he meets Carmen, a freshman from New Jersey who was an outsider in high school. They quickly bond over their shared feelings of being outsiders and the pressure to reinvent themselves in college. Benny is closeted and tries to mask his true identity by mimicking the machismo of his male peers, especially Peter, who is his sister Grace’s jock boyfriend.

Benny and Carmen attend a senior party together early in the semester. Carmen feels pressured by her roommate Hailee and her friends to have sex that night, while Benny tries to navigate the social scene without revealing his sexuality. Benny avoids the LGBTQ+ society’s stand but finds himself attracted to Miles, a British freshman. To get closer to Miles, Benny impulsively enrolls in a film studies class, despite having no interest or background in the subject.

As the semester progresses, Benny is invited to pledge the secret society Flesh and Gold, a hyper-masculine elite group on campus. He accepts the invitation, hoping it will help him maintain his straight, macho image. Meanwhile, Carmen encourages Benny to explore his sexuality more openly. She mentors him through this process, introducing him to queer culture by showing him Drag Race and encouraging him to try poppers. Benny also experiments with Grindr, going on a disastrous hookup while wearing a leather harness, which leads to awkward and comedic situations.

Grace, Benny’s sister and a junior at Yates, struggles with her relationship with Peter. Peter is self-centered and expects Grace to support his image as the new Keeper of Flesh and Gold. He pressures her to give up a major opportunity just to be seen with him during his first week in the role. Grace begins to realize that Peter treats her more like an accessory than a partner. When she starts prioritizing herself, Peter reacts by cheating on her. Grace initially stays with Peter, trying to maintain the perfect-looking relationship, but eventually decides to break up with him after recognizing she deserves better and doesn’t need to appear perfect to be happy.

In the final episodes, Grace confronts Peter about his cheating. Peter attempts to deflect blame onto Carmen, implying she was involved in the betrayal. Grace refuses to demonize Carmen and makes it clear that Peter’s cheating is his fault alone. She acknowledges feeling hurt and angry at Carmen but does not let that excuse Peter’s actions. This confrontation marks Grace’s emotional growth and her decision to end the toxic relationship.

Meanwhile, Benny’s journey toward self-acceptance continues. He struggles with the fear of losing his "golden boy" image but gradually leans into his true identity with Carmen’s support. The season ends with Benny more openly embracing his sexuality, though he still faces challenges balancing his public persona and private self.

Throughout the season, the show explores themes of identity, friendship, and the pressures of college life, with Benny and Carmen’s evolving relationship at the center. The narrative follows their attempts to figure out who they really are amid the expectations of their peers and family.

Benny, a closeted former high school football star, struggles to mask his true identity by imitating the machismo of his male peers, especially Peter, his sister's jock boyfriend. This creates tension as he navigates his freshman year at Yates University while trying to fit in and keep his sexuality secret.

Grace, Benny's sister and a junior at Yates University, is not happy about Benny invading her college space. Their sibling dynamic adds complexity to Benny's college experience, especially as Grace's boyfriend Peter represents the macho ideal Benny feels pressured to emulate.

Benny befriends Carmen, a fellow freshman and former high school outsider, and together they navigate the challenges of their first year of college. Their friendship is central to the story, providing support as they explore new relationships, join a secret society, and discover their true selves.

The series focuses on Benny and his friends figuring out who they are and where they fit in college. It highlights struggles with identity, honesty, loyalty, and being true to oneself amid peer pressure and societal expectations, especially in the context of Benny's closeted sexuality and the college social scene.

The show depicts various college social environments including the secret society that Benny and Carmen pledge, the fraternity-like 'bruh' culture, and the dynamics of jocks and outsiders. These settings serve as backdrops for the characters' personal growth and the conflicts they face in balancing authenticity with social acceptance.

The TV show "Overcompensating" (2025) is not family friendly and contains content that may be objectionable or upsetting for children and sensitive viewers. It features severe sexual discourse and crudeness, sexualized imagery, explicit sex scenes, female breast nudity, and some brief male nudity in comedic contexts. The show’s plot heavily revolves around sexual themes and jokes, particularly about "getting laid" on the first day of college.

Additionally, the tone is chaotic, loud, and fast-paced with mature themes about identity and insecurity, which may be intense for younger audiences. Given these elements, it is best suited for mature viewers rather than children or those sensitive to sexual content.