Just finished the Blacklist, a frenzied attempt at high drama and (possibly) deep seeded familial intrigue. I watched it for Spader, believing the lead actress didn’t have the chops to carry a show. I was right about that part so far. I’ve come ’round again to the point where a new season of shows pop up and I start hoping that someone will hit the nail on the head and produce something that catches the zeitgeist and moves our society forward in the way we think.
I remain disappointed in the offerings. Its like this: someone gets close (like Orphan Black) and suddenly the commercialization of the industry forces them to pull back some of the more cutting edge ideas in favor of gratuitous action scenes, sex scenes, and or product shots. Modern television shows are convinced that the idea of being cool is more important and relevant than explaining what defines cool and what being cool means.
I first turn to books for these new ideas. I realize less and less people apparently read books in favor of a faster medium of cultural transmission. This is why the new show season is so important. Like it or not, these shows are a great chunk of how our kids learn bout our society.