Adolescence

At first, we didn’t know why Jamie, the perpetrator of the attack, did it. We knew he wasn’t a product of abuse or parental trauma. But we couldn’t figure out a motive. Then someone I work with, Mariella Johnson, said: “I think you should look into ‘incel’ culture.” real quote from the writers you really can’t make this shit up ostentatious uninformed neoliberal schlock. this series tried sooo hard to highlight issues ‘the public is ignorant about’ (even tho incels have been a topic of mass contention since at least the late 2010s) while simultaneously admitting that the incel themes were an afterthought. and it fucking shows dude, it’s clear no real research or nuanced thought went into the whole radicalization thing. like who thinks teenage girls are commenting 80-20 on instagram posts? the disconnect between what was commendable and realistic acting and the preachy, out of touch writing just felt so disapointing. and I can tell this series is dying to leave a legacy behind, start a conversation what have you. but it’s kind of hard to start a conversation when you have absolutely nothing to say. all this series has to show for itself is pearl-clutching parents and even more alienated dudes who feel (validly tbh) that they're being strawmanned to hell and back. making a difference for the culture, truly. and i’m not saying you need to sympathize with the ideologies, but if you're gonna make an entire show about something, maybe at least know what you’re dealing with. and the hypocrisy of the shows supposed concern for ‘the victim being forgotten and the killer being remembered’ is just lovely as well. even polytechnique did a better job in balancing its depiction of the killer and his impact on the victims/the community, as much as I hate that film.