I really wanted her to get justice or revenge but I guess instead it’s showing how in reality many victims don’t get that and they must find closure on their own…
Great video! I think the fictional scenarios are less about her choosing the ending to her book and more about the healing and processing of her trauma. I believe that David/Patrick in this episode is a manifestation of all the conflicts in her own head, and the scenarios are a representation of how Arabella has mentally dealt with her rape. The first is anger towards her perpetrator - literally a fantasy about killing him. Second is her own self-guilt - him shouting at her that there are children hungry and dying in the world, belittling her experience in the wider context (which you remember was her anxiety coping technique). And then finally in the last sequence, she has control again - she takes him home and is dominant in bed with him, telling him to go in the morning along with the body under her bed from the 1st sequence. The anger and guilt has gone, and she decides to stay home with her flatmate. This last scenario gives her the power (a dominant theme in the show) to finish her book and move on with her life. I thought this ending was absolutely perfect. In real life there is not always closure, but our narrative beliefs give us a desire to find anything close to it, which is represented by these fantasies. Unbelievable show.
I think the role reversal in the 3rd ending was my favorite part, especially when the walk towards the bathroom and David's friend is twerking for Terry 😂 overall I was very impressed with this show, it's definitely something I'll never forget. I loved to see Bella's metamorphosis in the ending as she cracked that old shell of herself wide open, and learned to forgive herself for everything. I also love to see that Kwame began a healthy relationship, I wish his recovery from sexual assault would have been explored more as well because we very rarely ever see male characters cope with the pain and trauma that stems from rape.
The scene of Arabella and her friend, Ben (who is actually a straight white guy like the ones she declared to hate), where she visualizes all possible endings, at the end, she huges him and tells him how much she loves him, that symbolizes she decided to forgive all the abusive men in her life as an act of redemption and forgiveness to all manhood, which is an actual religious and spiritual act that reminds of her speech about to serve the womanhood tribe; it's quite shocking how women are forced to survive all these traumas and at the same time, accept that not all men are abusers and there are some of them who deserve love and respect.
@@saroojanvasanthakumar1510 I have a better theory: "David" was Theodora's little brother, the age and appearance match, and we only saw his child version, so we never know what happened to him, also that explains why Theodora was in one of the imagine endings, maybe it's a dark connection with the abuser, plus he has all the trauma of his mother abuse, so maybe that was the reason why he hated women
So she blamed the first guy Ben for her rape but he wasn’t the main cause of her pain it was jus how the white man sorry I forgot his name in her memories fucked up her life
I was baffled watching the episode until the third and final scenario when Patrick leaves her bed, and the first version of him crawls out from under the bed, still bloody, and leaves as well. That was when everything clicked. Still, it wasn’t until your video that I realized these versions were her endings for the book. Now it seems obvious. But great video. Thanks!
They never showed why did Biagio suddenly went crazy and kicked her out with a gun in his hand , I wish they went into more depth about the biagio situation and his view point on things with Aribella
Arabella was to have called him after she filed police report--told to contact person or persons with whom she had sex but she did not call Biagio. And he's a drug dealer, info Terry and Arabella freely give to police. Probably caused a bit of a storm with Biagio's contacts/buyers/other dealers. Maybe that is why he had the gun; protecting himself from that fall-out. Then Arabella shows up. Golly Moses.
This series was truly eye-opening. Highlighting how messy modern dating can be. I had the pleasure of delving deep into the show as part of my series Lessons of Life & Love. Really interesting to get your take Olivia!
At first I was a little confused, but now I understand the concept of the finale and realize just how beautifully written it was❤️. Love Michaela and this show so much!!!
In the end the killed Patrick/David crawls out of the bed and leaves the room with the sonogram of her aborted child in his hand, the episode's name is also "Would you like to know the sex?". This part was maybe indicating that both of these things - letting go of finding her rapist and aborting her child- were difficult things that needed to be done (as discussed earlier in the bedroom scene with Ben). In the end, she made that choice and lives with it.
Thanks. It conjures up how women often fantasize revenge on their rapist. In this case it’s clever the way she weaves it into the development of her book. I was glad to see her evolve at the end. For 2/3rds she often seemed like an airhead incapable of learning from her choices. She completely ignored her contractural commitment. She was going to owe a lot of money and she seemed unconcerned. That made me impatient w/the character. But I was pleased to see her growth at the end.
I thought the ending was pretty clear. Michaela Coel is amazing and I May Destroy You was outstanding! I loved the ending. I thought it was beautiful. I look forward to more of her work. :0) Oh and great explanation by the way :0)
I think the essence of the whole series and the choice of the name "I may destry you" is really clear here. What are being destroyed here? The stereotypes . We see human beings without stereotypes. Behind an event there can be everything and human beings can embody infinite different attitudes and have completely different facets and stories. It is the destruction of stereotypes and that was the intention of the series .
That's an interesting take. I viewed it as more an acknowledgment that anyone you meet in life has the potential to destroy you, and you them. Most of the characters in the story hurt one another in various ways. Sometimes they are the victim, sometimes the perpetrator--including Arabella. Arabella as victim: She was raped by two different men, lied to by her father about his infidelity, and victim blamed by a man she cared about. Arabella as perpetrator: She locked her friend in a room with someone who, it is implied, assaulted him. She entered the other man's house without permission and nearly broke his door down. Her friend was a victim when the two men she had a threesome with lied about knowing each other. She was the perpetrator when she encouraged their other friend to leave Arabella behind at the bar the night she was assaulted and then encouraging their friend to lie to her about it. And they both (unknowingly) helped victimize the girl in high school by making her out to be a liar about her assault, which was only partially true. That girl was victimized when the boy she was having sex with filmed it without her consent. She became a perpetrator when she lied about him raping her at knifepoint. Arabella's gay friend was a victim when he was raped by the date he met online. But he was a perpetrator when he lied to the woman he had sex with about his sexual orientation and that he was using her as an experiment. Almost everyone in the series is both victim and victimizer. The title seems to be both a warning to watch out for and recognize the signs that someone may do you harm, but also to recognize the ways in which you may be complicit in harming others. And while some harms can be mended, some are irreparable and may destroy.
I loved this series and I hated the ending. Imaginary scenarios always seems like a cop-out. Still incredible--I loved that her character was very human and difficult and sometimes even mean. I hate when media tries to sanitize people to make them worthy of pity etc. , truly terrific writing and performance from Michaela.
This is an articulate work for Michalea Coel in my opinion. One of her greatest pieces of acting. I'm glad I was able to see a deeper side of the roles she can commit to. Wonderful job on her part.
You know her roommate aswell did her have that condition where he couldn’t come out his house I forgot what’s it called and the man he played as a actor was so nice scarily nice I was surprised he wasn’t apart of nothing
The series costumes connect to the finale (just a thought) the pink wig and patterns connect to her look in the end which still mirrors a pattern, but now there's white lines and borders.
I did follow the show i watch it in like 2 weeks. The ending is bizarre. I don't like any of the ending. But I glad she didn't have any serious illness like phonia or some name of ocd. Still I enjoy the series very much. I do wish have season 2
Maybe it is but there's an emphasis on "may", like it isn't "i will destroy you" which would be certain, but its "i may destroy you" which infers there is a possibility but it isn't hopeless, like in the ending the revenge fantasy and the obsession fantasy had hopeless endings but the forgiveness/control mentality let her take her life back, That's the message i got
Hi Olivia, You are wonderful and I love the way you broke down the ending. I’m just confused as to- the last cut on the beach in Italy. So I think there is a likelihood that she never returned from Italy when she jumped in the sea. She didn’t have any money! The next episode was in London.
Mrinal you are too sweet, thank you 🙏 To be honest I was quite confused by that part too. Perhaps the scene of her going into the water was showing her being reborn, an letting go of herself and her “relationship” with Biagio. But this scene is definitely open to interpretation 🤔
@@sarahmcilvaine5426 I recently saw an interview with her explaining this and she sayed that they recorded a scene whit her goign out the sea and reaching her stuff but that they decide not to put it because the edit they finally choose was more intense. Meaning she was still alive but yes reborned. This is the interview btw ua-cam.com/video/GWNb6uGc748/v-deo.html
I don't think any of them are what happened. We aren't meant to know exactly how she ended her book. We just know that in real life, she--like many victims of SA--never got a neat resolution to it, at least not from law enforcement or from getting revenge or from getting some satisfying explanation, apology, and catharsis from her attacker. In the absence of that, she just had to resolve to take back control over her own life, do her best to let go of the anger, and move on. In her case, she finished her book and published it on her own, symbolizing that she was back in control of her life and would no longer let her assault dominate or derail her.
hopefully not from this world...ending is so much stupid cant explaine...but good acting and a little few good moments, my condolences to all who find themselves in the series
im sorry but you really dont understand the story. Try again, if you want, from the beginning, watch the hours in the phones and when she is writing, some little things like the jacket that she is wearing that her friend gave her...and you will see that the serie is much more then you get at the first moment. You have to pay attencion and understand that she is writting in all the "sides" that she sees, And thats the magic because she turns a better person and she solved her problems. they didnt mencion here the Ben,,,and i think its one off the best moments...because it was him, or could be. And she treats him with such dignity...well, i loved it. But there were episodes that i had to turn back and see again. Bye!
its a bit odd to say that one would "like" the show, it wasn't about arbitrary like or dislike, it was about the story and the journey out of traumatic experiences - it's an art piece, not a casual rom-com; you aren't meant to "like" watching a character struggle through different phases of assault and traumatic experiences, law enforcement doing the bare minimum, and poignant vignettes on mental health - you're meant to come out the other side with new perspectives and self awareness
@@rfrprof09 no I meant what I said by not liking it. There were various elements that I didn't like. I didn't like the writing, didn't like some of the characters' storyline, the writing seemed redundant at times and the artistic attempt fell way short. In all I didn't like it. Also just because you have an appreciation for something that features traumatic experience doesn't denote the idea of liking it as exempted as a response. I've read many books that had a morose tone to it and yet Liked or Loved it, same as with movies or any other art form. Also its not that serious... people are allowed to like something and other's not. Everything is not for everyone, this series was just not for me. That's just my take on it.
@@rfrprof09 no I meant what I said by not liking it. There were various elements that I didn't like. I didn't like the writing, didn't like some of the characters' storyline, the writing seemed redundant at times and the artistic attempt fell way short. In all I didn't like it. Also just because you have an appreciation for something that features traumatic experience doesn't denote the idea of liking it as exempted as a response. I've read many books that had a morose tone to it and yet Liked or Loved it, same as with movies or any other art form. Also its not that serious... people are allowed to like something and other's not. Everything is not for everyone, this series was just not for me. That's just my take on it.
Seven months ago, I posted how I was recommended to watch "I may Destroy You," and subsequently why I decided to give what i called then a "Hard Pass." The reasons why mainly regarded an unwillingness to see another show depicting male characters as monsters because they are male, and such depictions are utilized to represent a general representation of men in general. Suffice it to say, my decision did not go over well with advocates who like the series. It didn't seem to matter that I never disparaged those who like the show. Not once did I presume to know the biographies of those replying to me in less than cordial manner. In fact, I took frequent efforts to assure it was okay and not a problem if anyone seeing it, liked the series. I did not malign the actors in the series, I made no observations considered insulting to those who in response to my reasons why I passed on the show. Recently I had been approached by others on similar or closer to home platforms about my stance with regard to such series with similar themes. My continued response was, "Not interested." The usual complaint from those who like the show amounted to, "How can you judge a show you haven't seen?" Now that is a fair question. And on a few occasions, I've attempted to explain my position. Not that it mattered because, any answer I gave was rejected on the basis that (in their estimate) I embodied all of the "problems" stemming from my "toxic" (paraphrase) persona as a male. My reply to how I can judge a show I haven't seen isn't so much about judging the series, but merely understanding the content of the show's narrative, which was outlined pretty specifically in its trailers, promos and clips I had been exposed to. The show, I concluded was not made for me nor does it have an obligation to satisfy whatever preferences I like. Wow! that's what most people would consider a diplomatic reason. When inquired of the specific points formulating my choice, I mentioned, a lack of interest in the man=bad woman=good narrative. I've seen enough of that in previous TV series and movies. A fresh change of pace included becoming attracted to series or movies which is willing to take a balanced approach to male and female characters. In other words, I can understand a character or characters who happen to be male as bad people doing bad things. However, I'm not in favor of the current woke trend that insist upon men are bad because they are male. This is the case with the inverse. In the woke world of ideologically driven media, it appears there is no actual story. That was replaced by "messaging." And characters got replaced by "representatives." Of course one would immediately conclude I am probably a white racist homophobic misogynist ultra right wing nut. And its certainly easier to make that conclusion, because it spares those who like the show the possible heavy lifting of encountering a perspective that isn't just passively deferential to an ideology. Would it matter if I said, I'm actually liberal in my politics, progressive in my social values? Would it matter if i mentioned I voted for Biden/Harris, or I loathed the Trump administration? Would it matter if I mentioned I pushed to hire more qualified women in my Tokyo company who couldn't get hired anywhere else? Would it matter that I donate thousands of dollars a year to local women's shelters, mentor programs while defending government subsidy programs beneficial to single mothers? Would it matter if I am pro-choice. Likely no. Why? because, my preference for media that is willing to feature positive, balanced images of men, fathers, and husbands (for a change) disqualifies for me a show whose messaging about men amounts to little more than the tired caricature of the seething sexual predator. Yes some men rape. But a lot don't. Some guys are jerks, but the reason why they're jerks isn't because they're male. Some black people steal. But people don't steal because they are black. When shows advance an inference that what one or some do as a referendum on an innate feature of gender without bothering to examine any other feature of character suggesting basic human virtue, I just find such narratives uninteresting. So, okay, this has taken a few paragraphs and no doubt anyone reading this will likely excoriate me for length among other things. I expect to be told, if there are replying comments, any number of belittling put downs. I expect it and understand its the price for expressing a non-deferential opinion about a show that clearly isn't made with me as the audience it has in mind. So, again, if you like the show. No problem, i'm glad for you.
@@colinsearle3466 Thanks, I appreciate your insight. I believe you mean well and is sincere with your assessment of the show. I'm gratified you find it something you like and with that, I'm glad it speaks to you in a resonate way. I would point out, most shows heavy on "woke," "SJW," or "feminist" ideology always without fail classify themselves as "intelligent" and "well-written." More often than not regardless of context, once its checked off the appropriate identity politics boxes of empowerment themes, "representation" and of course sustain the physical manifestation of a modern Satan in the form of "Patriarchy" which really equates to straight men and male identity as the foremost tangible evil, the show can then be considered "genius" by morally superior people. This also comes in with a built in defense against any criticism or critique, which hammers home any critical analysis of the show other than deferential praise is the automatic product of misogyny, racism and every other social prejudice from those considered immediately subhuman. Unfortunately there's not much that can be done about the methodology. I've mentioned plenty of times that my decision to give the show a hard pass was simply, refusing to watch yet another Men=bad, women=good show. I'm war weary of all the feminist anti-male media. Sure the show likely has good men, but "good" is likely applied mainly to gay men. Besides, after watching a few series that actually featured better images of fathers, men in general and was willing to depict men with a far wider range of nuance and complexity, it came as a surprising breath of fresh air after enduring near endless shows of men reduced to rapists, abusers and oppressors straight from gender studies 101. I'm not even remotely conservative or homophobic, and even I am getting tired of all the messaging about men as little more than caricatured predators lacking all human consciousness. Consider that you aren't even able to get beyond a conclusion that my perspective must be because I'm "triggered." Ironically its this immediate kind of presuppositions that likely informs much of the messaging of the show and its one dimensional concept of what embodies male identity. I get you will no doubt disagree. And that's fine. I hope I've answered your inquiry.
@@HoppyBunny. im trying not to sound aggressive and i promise im in good faith. but i am so baffled. the "man=bad" narrative said to be in the show is completely made up by you. you'd see that if you watched the show. did you even watch the video above. you must not have as many of your misgivings about the show would have been addressed such as; the demonstration of david's (the rapist and main antagonist of the show) own victimhood, arabella (the main character) showing sympathy for him and them having consensual sex. they are just 3 of tge myriad examples that contradict your view of the "men=bad" narrative in the show. some scenes that even show arabella (amongst many of the other female character's) as guilty of abuse herself. i may destroy is written by a woman abd very influenced by the writer's own experiences. it therefore follows that arabella's abusers are male as that is the reality for most women ( the 1 in 2 who have experienced some form of sexual violence). please watch the show, i beg. (and please refrain from being so confescending in future as well)
"And please refrain from being so condescending in future as well" And despite the fact I've consistently said it's great for anyone watching the show for whom it resonates. Never once did I shame or insult anyone who preferred the show. Yet plenty have excoriated me with character assassination and presuppositions labelling me with some pretty harsh terms. Even you concluded I must be "Triggered" Yet I'm the one who needs to refrain from being so condescending? "I may Destroy you is written by a woman and very influenced by the writer's own experiences. It therefore follows Arabella's abusers are male as that is the reality for most women." Okay fine. no problem there. Unfortunately the experiences with males is limited to mainly abuse and of course omits the higher number of men likely responsible for much of her present success. Its odd that the accounts of men who contribute positive aspects to women's life within the ideological bubble goes unnoticed, or absent or exist little or not at all. How predictable that the reality for most women isn't bothered with mentioning the doctors, scientists, construction workers, electricians and men who go out of their ways to improve the lives of women, sometimes at the diminishment and sometimes loss of their own. Shaping a narrative within modern society that "good" men fathers and the male identity is rare and the demonic version is the standard and the baseline for what informs the totality of women's experiences rings false. If the writer wants to contribute to the narrative of conflating women's reality to the rapist abuser and oppressor archetype, I'm sure there is a willing audience for whom those archetypes affirm for them a preferred image of men and male identity. I happen to prefer a more balanced examination of the gender of which I know embody far more than the lowest common denominator. "I am baffled, The man=bad narrative said to be in the show is completely made up by you." I seriously doubt it. The same thing was said about the 1917 movie Birth of a Nation. "The black men as subhuman monsters narrative is completely made up by ignorant black men incapable of understanding a superior white man's honest depiction of the reality of black character." I did watch the video above it was just the typical deferential praise of the show with further incredulity at what was suppose to be an unpredictable conclusion. But given the basic themes of a show built around ideology, messaging and representation over story and organic characters (As showcased in the shows promos I've seen and the constant remarks about "toxic masculinity" (which really now just means Toxic as a qualifier to define men in general) I'm certain without ever watching a single episode I can easily summarize the show to its ending episode. Yeah, these shows are that predictable. I'm sure the sympathy is more in the form of yet another damning indictment for which a kind of "You'll always be a small insignificant infant who never matured," or some such variant line is utilized. You may not understand this, but my preferences for media now is more balanced complex and nuanced depictions of male characters. I'm simply not interested in the man as monster of the week to satisfy the woke crowd. I'm not even close to being conservative politically, I voted enthusiastically for Biden and Harris. I'm not white, so this may be helpful before the default conclusion that I must be a virulent racist white supremacist misogynist. Come to think of it, it likely won't matter since that's the usual belief of what someone must be who isn't mindlessly deferential to shows like I May Destroy You. Besides after watching Snyder's Justice League it was a breath of fresh air to see the increasingly rare film that features positive organic depictions of men and their relationships with their fathers who imperfect as they may be, always rose above their own personal deficiencies to give guys something other than endless self loathing as the only avenue to societal acceptance. I'll say again, I'm happy you enjoy the show, I'm happy it reaffirms concepts preferential to your sensibilities. It's just not for me.
I was recommended the series and after inquiring a rough outline of what its about, i settled on a hard pass. In my group, a discussion manifested surrounding why I wouldn't give it a chance. I mentioned its premise is predictable and its likely themes are rooted in pressing an overall feminist narrative of man=bad, women=good. A dominant theme within a lot of drama TV and movies these days. Of course the usual assumptions of automatic misogyny from me was raised from the one or two feminists in the group. I further explained: The show wasn't made for me. it was made for those with a compatible ideology about gender fitting with their definitions of what embodies male and female relationships from the standpoint of upholding the usual oversimplified cartoon caricatures of straight men to advance a reductionist perception that men in general are primary mindless rapists, predators, abusers and oppressors. In essence, the feminist statement of men in general and in practice. So, its a series promoting a story of characters to convey messages antithetical to the complexities and nuances really existing within people as humans whereas the embodiment of male characters are little more than monsters, while female characters are usually presented as morally infallible, hyper virtuous and the lives of men are depicted as deserving every form of dehumanization for virtually any outward expression of human intimate desire. And since that desire will likely be framed in terms of criminal pathology, its really no different than the presuppositions confining the entirety of black identity to that which is propagated by films like "Birth of a Nation." Yeah, I get it. The whole men are evil trend as mainstream trope with female empowerment realized only when destroying men has an audience for those attracted to such narratives. And for those who like the series, sure, no problem. But I have a much more positive view of my gender and prefer media that allows for the measure of male fault and flaw to mixed with male virtue, complexity, nuance and positive examples.
But..i promise that's not what it's about at all. I think what the show is trying to express is how every single person (regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, etc) has the ability and capacity to be destructive I'm some way. I really would recommend you give it a try, you maybe surprised!
@@downtownharper I appreciate your response and respect your opinion to find the series commendable as it relates to themes and topics resonate with you. However, its pretty clear the immediate declaration of the series premise immediately formats the males as generally little more than a negative caricature of rapists, or sadists devoid of complex emotions are recognition of nuanced understanding of ethics. I get it, its the present narrative trend. I don't begrudge anyone who likes the series. Its fine for those who find it appealing. Yet, after a few years, I decided to simply stop watching movies and TV series that concentrates on portraying men universally as rapists, abusers and oppressors to appease a one dimensional ideological determinant for what the whole of male identity is. I know some men can be reprehensible, but men and male characters can reflect something other than the lowest common denominator and I really don't need to see yet another: Look at how evil men inherently are, and oh look more men who can't think beyond rape, or female characters whose scenes consist of new and improved ways to emasculate men in some way. I thought about watching, but obviously its not a series meant to appeal to my balanced perspectives where male characters are preferably a lot more multidimensional than every indication the few promo scenes have provided. Trust me, I've seen enough iterations of similar series, I practically know what to expect, its unlikely I would be surprised. Again, i appreciate your perspective and think if its a show that suits you, I'm happy for you it does.
I understand your perspective, but I don’t think the show is trying to say all men are evil, it’s more about impact on a rape victim rather than the rapist himself. Its actually quite complex, we see the bad traits of all the characters and it makes the viewer question all of them and their behaviour at times, they are all self-destructive. Arabella is reckless and insecure, Terry (she’s female) is visually jealous of her friend and as a result does some questionable things, Kwame (a gay male) is promiscuous and even pretends to be straight at one point, none of them are angels. I would even argue that none of the characters are particularly likeable, but they all go on their own journeys and transitions and this is the focus of the show - although the rape is the over arching plot. I think the show does not shy away from representing the characters realistically therefore no one is perfect, it’s gritty and probably more relatable. You should give it a try, and see if your opinion changes 😊
@@opinionatedolivia1392 I get what you're saying. And I don't want to appear as if I'm bashing the series for its themes. people deserve shows that echo their sentiments about subjects relateable to their interests. For me, the series is just one of the long list of genres where in the final analysis, even the most seemingly fallible females are reconciled as heroic and justified in their destructive or cruel habits towards others, mostly male characters, because the trope already establishes them as sub-human predators anyway (if their straight.) I hear you. Arabella is reckless and insecure, but only on paper as an occasional descriptor, so whatever recklessness isn't really likely to be based on singular self culpability, but predictably the fault to a man or men or rape culture but essentially an indictment of the male population as expressive of human (Straight )sexuality as pathology and not as sincere. Besides its telegraphed that whatever destruction she may in some degree cause men will likely be presented as an act of empowerment, not necessarily as an extension of unlikeability . To achieve this, an oversimplification is made to the male characters which outlines an overall depiction as "realistic" in the form of an imposed caricature that is then offered as the realistic true life final designation of deterministic male identity in broad general terms. I guess from my position I'm just tired of yet another man as monster series. Insomuch as rape is the over arching plot, I'll respectfully pass. I'd rather give time to shows with depictions of male characters a bit more organic and not ideologically crafted to appeal to a politically formatted archetype of man=bad=rapist.
@hoppy bunny hey, if you watch the show, especially all the way to the last episode, i think you'll find that this is the exact show you are looking for! :D If anything, when i was watching it i thought this show may anger some man-hating radical feminists as the series shows sooo much nuance and defies expectations of "monster" and "angel". The show and characters and situations are all kinds of grey, and i think that was the point of the show. To make audiences re-think everything they think they know. It is never preachy and it is never black and white.
Thank you all so much for watching, seriously I cannot believe how many views I have on my very first video... I’m chuffed!! 😁
Love O x
I really wanted her to get justice or revenge but I guess instead it’s showing how in reality many victims don’t get that and they must find closure on their own…
Great video!
I think the fictional scenarios are less about her choosing the ending to her book and more about the healing and processing of her trauma. I believe that David/Patrick in this episode is a manifestation of all the conflicts in her own head, and the scenarios are a representation of how Arabella has mentally dealt with her rape. The first is anger towards her perpetrator - literally a fantasy about killing him. Second is her own self-guilt - him shouting at her that there are children hungry and dying in the world, belittling her experience in the wider context (which you remember was her anxiety coping technique). And then finally in the last sequence, she has control again - she takes him home and is dominant in bed with him, telling him to go in the morning along with the body under her bed from the 1st sequence. The anger and guilt has gone, and she decides to stay home with her flatmate. This last scenario gives her the power (a dominant theme in the show) to finish her book and move on with her life.
I thought this ending was absolutely perfect. In real life there is not always closure, but our narrative beliefs give us a desire to find anything close to it, which is represented by these fantasies.
Unbelievable show.
I think the role reversal in the 3rd ending was my favorite part, especially when the walk towards the bathroom and David's friend is twerking for Terry 😂 overall I was very impressed with this show, it's definitely something I'll never forget. I loved to see Bella's metamorphosis in the ending as she cracked that old shell of herself wide open, and learned to forgive herself for everything. I also love to see that Kwame began a healthy relationship, I wish his recovery from sexual assault would have been explored more as well because we very rarely ever see male characters cope with the pain and trauma that stems from rape.
True - tho IMDY is ultimately Bella's story
The scene of Arabella and her friend, Ben (who is actually a straight white guy like the ones she declared to hate), where she visualizes all possible endings, at the end, she huges him and tells him how much she loves him, that symbolizes she decided to forgive all the abusive men in her life as an act of redemption and forgiveness to all manhood, which is an actual religious and spiritual act that reminds of her speech about to serve the womanhood tribe; it's quite shocking how women are forced to survive all these traumas and at the same time, accept that not all men are abusers and there are some of them who deserve love and respect.
I thought that they were gonna reveal him to be the one who did it aka David/Patrick
@@saroojanvasanthakumar1510 I have a better theory: "David" was Theodora's little brother, the age and appearance match, and we only saw his child version, so we never know what happened to him, also that explains why Theodora was in one of the imagine endings, maybe it's a dark connection with the abuser, plus he has all the trauma of his mother abuse, so maybe that was the reason why he hated women
So she blamed the first guy Ben for her rape but he wasn’t the main cause of her pain it was jus how the white man sorry I forgot his name in her memories fucked up her life
I was baffled watching the episode until the third and final scenario when Patrick leaves her bed, and the first version of him crawls out from under the bed, still bloody, and leaves as well. That was when everything clicked. Still, it wasn’t until your video that I realized these versions were her endings for the book. Now it seems obvious. But great video. Thanks!
They never showed why did Biagio suddenly went crazy and kicked her out with a gun in his hand , I wish they went into more depth about the biagio situation and his view point on things with Aribella
I think the same omg
Arabella was to have called him after she filed police report--told to contact person or persons with whom she had sex but she did not call Biagio. And he's a drug dealer, info Terry and Arabella freely give to police. Probably caused a bit of a storm with Biagio's contacts/buyers/other dealers. Maybe that is why he had the gun; protecting himself from that fall-out. Then Arabella shows up. Golly Moses.
BahamaWynters omg that is such a good answer thank you so much for taking the time
He was never really into her and saw her as a distraction but also problematic and psychotic
Also, Bella crossed a boundary by entering Biagio's place without consent...
This series was truly eye-opening. Highlighting how messy modern dating can be. I had the pleasure of delving deep into the show as part of my series Lessons of Life & Love. Really interesting to get your take Olivia!
When the genders are reversed the male/female sign on the bathroom stall has merged
At first I was a little confused, but now I understand the concept of the finale and realize just how beautifully written it was❤️. Love Michaela and this show so much!!!
@africanbella28, Michaela is such a special person, she has a crazy amount of talent, love her too!
In the end the killed Patrick/David crawls out of the bed and leaves the room with the sonogram of her aborted child in his hand, the episode's name is also "Would you like to know the sex?". This part was maybe indicating that both of these things - letting go of finding her rapist and aborting her child- were difficult things that needed to be done (as discussed earlier in the bedroom scene with Ben). In the end, she made that choice and lives with it.
I like the first ending. Beat the shit outta em
Thanks for explaining, it all makes sense now. I didn’t get what was going on. You’ve got a new subscriber!
Thank you for listening and subscribing
Thanks. It conjures up how women often fantasize revenge on their rapist. In this case it’s clever the way she weaves it into the development of her book. I was glad to see her evolve at the end. For 2/3rds she often seemed like an airhead incapable of learning from her choices. She completely ignored her contractural commitment. She was going to owe a lot of money and she seemed unconcerned. That made me impatient w/the character. But I was pleased to see her growth at the end.
I thought the ending was pretty clear. Michaela Coel is amazing and I May Destroy You was outstanding! I loved the ending. I thought it was beautiful. I look forward to more of her work. :0) Oh and great explanation by the way :0)
I loved this series. I thought she gave the best performance of the year for television or a movie. I was completely moved by the series.
Me after the last episode:😶😕🙃❓❓
Me after this video: 🤔😱"amazing ending!!" 👏🏾
Great job explaining it all!!! Thank you so much!!
I think the essence of the whole series and the choice of the name "I may destry you" is really clear here.
What are being destroyed here? The stereotypes .
We see human beings without stereotypes. Behind an event there can be everything and human beings can embody infinite different attitudes and have completely different facets and stories.
It is the destruction of stereotypes and that was the intention of the series .
That's an interesting take. I viewed it as more an acknowledgment that anyone you meet in life has the potential to destroy you, and you them. Most of the characters in the story hurt one another in various ways. Sometimes they are the victim, sometimes the perpetrator--including Arabella. Arabella as victim: She was raped by two different men, lied to by her father about his infidelity, and victim blamed by a man she cared about. Arabella as perpetrator: She locked her friend in a room with someone who, it is implied, assaulted him. She entered the other man's house without permission and nearly broke his door down. Her friend was a victim when the two men she had a threesome with lied about knowing each other. She was the perpetrator when she encouraged their other friend to leave Arabella behind at the bar the night she was assaulted and then encouraging their friend to lie to her about it. And they both (unknowingly) helped victimize the girl in high school by making her out to be a liar about her assault, which was only partially true. That girl was victimized when the boy she was having sex with filmed it without her consent. She became a perpetrator when she lied about him raping her at knifepoint. Arabella's gay friend was a victim when he was raped by the date he met online. But he was a perpetrator when he lied to the woman he had sex with about his sexual orientation and that he was using her as an experiment. Almost everyone in the series is both victim and victimizer. The title seems to be both a warning to watch out for and recognize the signs that someone may do you harm, but also to recognize the ways in which you may be complicit in harming others. And while some harms can be mended, some are irreparable and may destroy.
I loved this series and I hated the ending. Imaginary scenarios always seems like a cop-out. Still incredible--I loved that her character was very human and difficult and sometimes even mean. I hate when media tries to sanitize people to make them worthy of pity etc. , truly terrific writing and performance from Michaela.
This is an articulate work for Michalea Coel in my opinion. One of her greatest pieces of acting. I'm glad I was able to see a deeper side of the roles she can commit to. Wonderful job on her part.
You know her roommate aswell did her have that condition where he couldn’t come out his house I forgot what’s it called and the man he played as a actor was so nice scarily nice I was surprised he wasn’t apart of nothing
The series costumes connect to the finale (just a thought) the pink wig and patterns connect to her look in the end which still mirrors a pattern, but now there's white lines and borders.
say more on this please
I did follow the show i watch it in like 2 weeks. The ending is bizarre. I don't like any of the ending. But I glad she didn't have any serious illness like phonia or some name of ocd. Still I enjoy the series very much. I do wish have season 2
im curious if the name of the show is i may destroy you bc it really destroys you or it has another meaning? bc it destroyed me.
Maybe it is but there's an emphasis on "may", like it isn't "i will destroy you" which would be certain, but its "i may destroy you" which infers there is a possibility but it isn't hopeless, like in the ending the revenge fantasy and the obsession fantasy had hopeless endings but the forgiveness/control mentality let her take her life back,
That's the message i got
Hi Olivia,
You are wonderful and I love the way you broke down the ending. I’m just confused as to- the last cut on the beach in Italy. So I think there is a likelihood that she never returned from Italy when she jumped in the sea. She didn’t have any money! The next episode was in London.
Yes I also thought this like how she survived and then have the money to live more months when she was already poor
Mrinal you are too sweet, thank you 🙏
To be honest I was quite confused by that part too. Perhaps the scene of her going into the water was showing her being reborn, an letting go of herself and her “relationship” with Biagio. But this scene is definitely open to interpretation 🤔
Maybe related to the title? I may destroy you... her old self is gone, has been replaced and that girl is like a ghost
@@sarahmcilvaine5426 I recently saw an interview with her explaining this and she sayed that they recorded a scene whit her goign out the sea and reaching her stuff but that they decide not to put it because the edit they finally choose was more intense. Meaning she was still alive but yes reborned. This is the interview btw ua-cam.com/video/GWNb6uGc748/v-deo.html
Thanks for the explaining
@Joseph Lee, you are welcome and thank you for stopping by and watching my video! 😃
I had the same conclusion, just glad that someone else thought so. Great vid tho and you got a 👍 and sub.
Thank you David, glad to hear we came to the same conclusion, initially I was like what’s going on!! Thanks for the sub made my day 😌
NOOOOOOO oh my god. I watched on amazon so I didn't know there was two more episodes cause they only have it up to ep 7 here.
All of them are on youtube since the BBC originally aired it
There's 12 overall.
So... none of the last episode is what happened?
thanks soo much 👍😁
Thank you for watching 😃
Eg. Thumbing through, the days I'd read dirty magazines & eventually found out nobody is in any of them.
Great explanation
I haven’t watched an episode 😅
You need to watch it, it’s amazing 😉
Thanks for watching either way 🙌
nerde o 2400 kelimelik essay
ben de ona geldim yok
@@eceilkecicek8976 var kanki buldum ben
@@aselyasia5641 arayayım o zaman biraz daha diziyi izlemediysen izle bu arada çok iyi
@@eceilkecicek8976 honny hunny mi ne öyle birinin yorumunun altında kanki, teşekkür ederim
4 ay önce atılmış
One of the Greatest Ending to One of the Greatest Show, do u agree?
Can you explain the ending please
Hi Opinionated Olivia!
You GO SIS! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ GREATTTTTTTTT CLARIFICATIONS!
♡♡♡♡♡◇♡♡♡♡◇♡♡♡♡♡
Disturbing theory and plot twist: David/Patrick was Theo's little brother.. jk!
They did tje last episode with 3 retakes....
Was the last take ...what happened?
I don't think any of them are what happened. We aren't meant to know exactly how she ended her book. We just know that in real life, she--like many victims of SA--never got a neat resolution to it, at least not from law enforcement or from getting revenge or from getting some satisfying explanation, apology, and catharsis from her attacker. In the absence of that, she just had to resolve to take back control over her own life, do her best to let go of the anger, and move on. In her case, she finished her book and published it on her own, symbolizing that she was back in control of her life and would no longer let her assault dominate or derail her.
Oh😮
hopefully not from this world...ending is so much stupid cant explaine...but good acting and a little few good moments,
my condolences to all who find themselves in the series
im sorry but you really dont understand the story. Try again, if you want, from the beginning, watch the hours in the phones and when she is writing, some little things like the jacket that she is wearing that her friend gave her...and you will see that the serie is much more then you get at the first moment. You have to pay attencion and understand that she is writting in all the "sides" that she sees, And thats the magic because she turns a better person and she solved her problems. they didnt mencion here the Ben,,,and i think its one off the best moments...because it was him, or could be. And she treats him with such dignity...well, i loved it. But there were episodes that i had to turn back and see again. Bye!
@@ritahenriques6456 ok thanks
@@fubu7027 you re wellcome
Love Michaela Coel, really wanted to like the show, however I thought it was awful.
why?
its a bit odd to say that one would "like" the show, it wasn't about arbitrary like or dislike, it was about the story and the journey out of traumatic experiences - it's an art piece, not a casual rom-com; you aren't meant to "like" watching a character struggle through different phases of assault and traumatic experiences, law enforcement doing the bare minimum, and poignant vignettes on mental health - you're meant to come out the other side with new perspectives and self awareness
@@rfrprof09 no I meant what I said by not liking it. There were various elements that I didn't like. I didn't like the writing, didn't like some of the characters' storyline, the writing seemed redundant at times and the artistic attempt fell way short. In all I didn't like it. Also just because you have an appreciation for something that features traumatic experience doesn't denote the idea of liking it as exempted as a response. I've read many books that had a morose tone to it and yet Liked or Loved it, same as with movies or any other art form. Also its not that serious... people are allowed to like something and other's not. Everything is not for everyone, this series was just not for me. That's just my take on it.
@@rfrprof09 no I meant what I said by not liking it. There were various elements that I didn't like. I didn't like the writing, didn't like some of the characters' storyline, the writing seemed redundant at times and the artistic attempt fell way short. In all I didn't like it. Also just because you have an appreciation for something that features traumatic experience doesn't denote the idea of liking it as exempted as a response. I've read many books that had a morose tone to it and yet Liked or Loved it, same as with movies or any other art form. Also its not that serious... people are allowed to like something and other's not. Everything is not for everyone, this series was just not for me. That's just my take on it.
Seven months ago, I posted how I was recommended to watch "I may Destroy You," and subsequently why I decided to give what i called then a "Hard Pass." The reasons why mainly regarded an unwillingness to see another show depicting male characters as monsters because they are male, and such depictions are utilized to represent a general representation of men in general. Suffice it to say, my decision did not go over well with advocates who like the series. It didn't seem to matter that I never disparaged those who like the show. Not once did I presume to know the biographies of those replying to me in less than cordial manner. In fact, I took frequent efforts to assure it was okay and not a problem if anyone seeing it, liked the series. I did not malign the actors in the series, I made no observations considered insulting to those who in response to my reasons why I passed on the show. Recently I had been approached by others on similar or closer to home platforms about my stance with regard to such series with similar themes. My continued response was, "Not interested."
The usual complaint from those who like the show amounted to, "How can you judge a show you haven't seen?" Now that is a fair question. And on a few occasions, I've attempted to explain my position. Not that it mattered because, any answer I gave was rejected on the basis that (in their estimate) I embodied all of the "problems" stemming from my "toxic" (paraphrase) persona as a male. My reply to how I can judge a show I haven't seen isn't so much about judging the series, but merely understanding the content of the show's narrative, which was outlined pretty specifically in its trailers, promos and clips I had been exposed to. The show, I concluded was not made for me nor does it have an obligation to satisfy whatever preferences I like.
Wow! that's what most people would consider a diplomatic reason. When inquired of the specific points formulating my choice, I mentioned, a lack of interest in the man=bad woman=good narrative. I've seen enough of that in previous TV series and movies. A fresh change of pace included becoming attracted to series or movies which is willing to take a balanced approach to male and female characters. In other words, I can understand a character or characters who happen to be male as bad people doing bad things. However, I'm not in favor of the current woke trend that insist upon men are bad because they are male. This is the case with the inverse.
In the woke world of ideologically driven media, it appears there is no actual story. That was replaced by "messaging." And characters got replaced by "representatives." Of course one would immediately conclude I am probably a white racist homophobic misogynist ultra right wing nut. And its certainly easier to make that conclusion, because it spares those who like the show the possible heavy lifting of encountering a perspective that isn't just passively deferential to an ideology. Would it matter if I said, I'm actually liberal in my politics, progressive in my social values? Would it matter if i mentioned I voted for Biden/Harris, or I loathed the Trump administration? Would it matter if I mentioned I pushed to hire more qualified women in my Tokyo company who couldn't get hired anywhere else? Would it matter that I donate thousands of dollars a year to local women's shelters, mentor programs while defending government subsidy programs beneficial to single mothers? Would it matter if I am pro-choice. Likely no. Why? because, my preference for media that is willing to feature positive, balanced images of men, fathers, and husbands (for a change) disqualifies for me a show whose messaging about men amounts to little more than the tired caricature of the seething sexual predator. Yes some men rape. But a lot don't. Some guys are jerks, but the reason why they're jerks isn't because they're male. Some black people steal. But people don't steal because they are black. When shows advance an inference that what one or some do as a referendum on an innate feature of gender without bothering to examine any other feature of character suggesting basic human virtue, I just find such narratives uninteresting.
So, okay, this has taken a few paragraphs and no doubt anyone reading this will likely excoriate me for length among other things. I expect to be told, if there are replying comments, any number of belittling put downs. I expect it and understand its the price for expressing a non-deferential opinion about a show that clearly isn't made with me as the audience it has in mind. So, again, if you like the show. No problem, i'm glad for you.
Lmao shut up 💀
@@colinsearle3466 Thanks, I appreciate your insight. I believe you mean well and is sincere with your assessment of the show. I'm gratified you find it something you like and with that, I'm glad it speaks to you in a resonate way.
I would point out, most shows heavy on "woke," "SJW," or "feminist" ideology always without fail classify themselves as "intelligent" and "well-written." More often than not regardless of context, once its checked off the appropriate identity politics boxes of empowerment themes, "representation" and of course sustain the physical manifestation of a modern Satan in the form of "Patriarchy" which really equates to straight men and male identity as the foremost tangible evil, the show can then be considered "genius" by morally superior people.
This also comes in with a built in defense against any criticism or critique, which hammers home any critical analysis of the show other than deferential praise is the automatic product of misogyny, racism and every other social prejudice from those considered immediately subhuman.
Unfortunately there's not much that can be done about the methodology. I've mentioned plenty of times that my decision to give the show a hard pass was simply, refusing to watch yet another Men=bad, women=good show. I'm war weary of all the feminist anti-male media. Sure the show likely has good men, but "good" is likely applied mainly to gay men. Besides, after watching a few series that actually featured better images of fathers, men in general and was willing to depict men with a far wider range of nuance and complexity, it came as a surprising breath of fresh air after enduring near endless shows of men reduced to rapists, abusers and oppressors straight from gender studies 101.
I'm not even remotely conservative or homophobic, and even I am getting tired of all the messaging about men as little more than caricatured predators lacking all human consciousness. Consider that you aren't even able to get beyond a conclusion that my perspective must be because I'm "triggered." Ironically its this immediate kind of presuppositions that likely informs much of the messaging of the show and its one dimensional concept of what embodies male identity. I get you will no doubt disagree. And that's fine. I hope I've answered your inquiry.
@@HoppyBunny. im trying not to sound aggressive and i promise im in good faith. but i am so baffled. the "man=bad" narrative said to be in the show is completely made up by you. you'd see that if you watched the show. did you even watch the video above. you must not have as many of your misgivings about the show would have been addressed such as; the demonstration of david's (the rapist and main antagonist of the show) own victimhood, arabella (the main character) showing sympathy for him and them having consensual sex. they are just 3 of tge myriad examples that contradict your view of the "men=bad" narrative in the show. some scenes that even show arabella (amongst many of the other female character's) as guilty of abuse herself.
i may destroy is written by a woman abd very influenced by the writer's own experiences. it therefore follows that arabella's abusers are male as that is the reality for most women ( the 1 in 2 who have experienced some form of sexual violence).
please watch the show, i beg. (and please refrain from being so confescending in future as well)
"And please refrain from being so condescending in future as well"
And despite the fact I've consistently said it's great for anyone watching the show for whom it resonates. Never once did I shame or insult anyone who preferred the show. Yet plenty have excoriated me with character assassination and presuppositions labelling me with some pretty harsh terms. Even you concluded I must be "Triggered" Yet I'm the one who needs to refrain from being so condescending?
"I may Destroy you is written by a woman and very influenced by the writer's own experiences. It therefore follows Arabella's abusers are male as that is the reality for most women."
Okay fine. no problem there. Unfortunately the experiences with males is limited to mainly abuse and of course omits the higher number of men likely responsible for much of her present success. Its odd that the accounts of men who contribute positive aspects to women's life within the ideological bubble goes unnoticed, or absent or exist little or not at all. How predictable that the reality for most women isn't bothered with mentioning the doctors, scientists, construction workers, electricians and men who go out of their ways to improve the lives of women, sometimes at the diminishment and sometimes loss of their own. Shaping a narrative within modern society that "good" men fathers and the male identity is rare and the demonic version is the standard and the baseline for what informs the totality of women's experiences rings false. If the writer wants to contribute to the narrative of conflating women's reality to the rapist abuser and oppressor archetype, I'm sure there is a willing audience for whom those archetypes affirm for them a preferred image of men and male identity. I happen to prefer a more balanced examination of the gender of which I know embody far more than the lowest common denominator.
"I am baffled, The man=bad narrative said to be in the show is completely made up by you."
I seriously doubt it. The same thing was said about the 1917 movie Birth of a Nation. "The black men as subhuman monsters narrative is completely made up by ignorant black men incapable of understanding a superior white man's honest depiction of the reality of black character."
I did watch the video above it was just the typical deferential praise of the show with further incredulity at what was suppose to be an unpredictable conclusion. But given the basic themes of a show built around ideology, messaging and representation over story and organic characters (As showcased in the shows promos I've seen and the constant remarks about "toxic masculinity" (which really now just means Toxic as a qualifier to define men in general) I'm certain without ever watching a single episode I can easily summarize the show to its ending episode. Yeah, these shows are that predictable.
I'm sure the sympathy is more in the form of yet another damning indictment for which a kind of "You'll always be a small insignificant infant who never matured," or some such variant line is utilized.
You may not understand this, but my preferences for media now is more balanced complex and nuanced depictions of male characters. I'm simply not interested in the man as monster of the week to satisfy the woke crowd. I'm not even close to being conservative politically, I voted enthusiastically for Biden and Harris. I'm not white, so this may be helpful before the default conclusion that I must be a virulent racist white supremacist misogynist. Come to think of it, it likely won't matter since that's the usual belief of what someone must be who isn't mindlessly deferential to shows like I May Destroy You. Besides after watching Snyder's Justice League it was a breath of fresh air to see the increasingly rare film that features positive organic depictions of men and their relationships with their fathers who imperfect as they may be, always rose above their own personal deficiencies to give guys something other than endless self loathing as the only avenue to societal acceptance. I'll say again, I'm happy you enjoy the show, I'm happy it reaffirms concepts preferential to your sensibilities. It's just not for me.
How about watch it before writing long paragraphs, would have saved u a lot of time and energy
So...shes a trans but she never ....tops ?
Her kiss of death was confusing....
Arabella is not trans, that was just an idea that Michaela Coel explained that she believes that women should be the dominant sex.
I was recommended the series and after inquiring a rough outline of what its about, i settled on a hard pass. In my group, a discussion manifested surrounding why I wouldn't give it a chance. I mentioned its premise is predictable and its likely themes are rooted in pressing an overall feminist narrative of man=bad, women=good. A dominant theme within a lot of drama TV and movies these days. Of course the usual assumptions of automatic misogyny from me was raised from the one or two feminists in the group.
I further explained: The show wasn't made for me. it was made for those with a compatible ideology about gender fitting with their definitions of what embodies male and female relationships from the standpoint of upholding the usual oversimplified cartoon caricatures of straight men to advance a reductionist perception that men in general are primary mindless rapists, predators, abusers and oppressors. In essence, the feminist statement of men in general and in practice. So, its a series promoting a story of characters to convey messages antithetical to the complexities and nuances really existing within people as humans whereas the embodiment of male characters are little more than monsters, while female characters are usually presented as morally infallible, hyper virtuous and the lives of men are depicted as deserving every form of dehumanization for virtually any outward expression of human intimate desire. And since that desire will likely be framed in terms of criminal pathology, its really no different than the presuppositions confining the entirety of black identity to that which is propagated by films like "Birth of a Nation."
Yeah, I get it. The whole men are evil trend as mainstream trope with female empowerment realized only when destroying men has an audience for those attracted to such narratives. And for those who like the series, sure, no problem. But I have a much more positive view of my gender and prefer media that allows for the measure of male fault and flaw to mixed with male virtue, complexity, nuance and positive examples.
But..i promise that's not what it's about at all. I think what the show is trying to express is how every single person (regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, etc) has the ability and capacity to be destructive I'm some way. I really would recommend you give it a try, you maybe surprised!
@@downtownharper I appreciate your response and respect your opinion to find the series commendable as it relates to themes and topics resonate with you. However, its pretty clear the immediate declaration of the series premise immediately formats the males as generally little more than a negative caricature of rapists, or sadists devoid of complex emotions are recognition of nuanced understanding of ethics. I get it, its the present narrative trend. I don't begrudge anyone who likes the series. Its fine for those who find it appealing. Yet, after a few years, I decided to simply stop watching movies and TV series that concentrates on portraying men universally as rapists, abusers and oppressors to appease a one dimensional ideological determinant for what the whole of male identity is. I know some men can be reprehensible, but men and male characters can reflect something other than the lowest common denominator and I really don't need to see yet another: Look at how evil men inherently are, and oh look more men who can't think beyond rape, or female characters whose scenes consist of new and improved ways to emasculate men in some way.
I thought about watching, but obviously its not a series meant to appeal to my balanced perspectives where male characters are preferably a lot more multidimensional than every indication the few promo scenes have provided. Trust me, I've seen enough iterations of similar series, I practically know what to expect, its unlikely I would be surprised. Again, i appreciate your perspective and think if its a show that suits you, I'm happy for you it does.
I understand your perspective, but I don’t think the show is trying to say all men are evil, it’s more about impact on a rape victim rather than the rapist himself.
Its actually quite complex, we see the bad traits of all the characters and it makes the viewer question all of them and their behaviour at times, they are all self-destructive. Arabella is reckless and insecure, Terry (she’s female) is visually jealous of her friend and as a result does some questionable things, Kwame (a gay male) is promiscuous and even pretends to be straight at one point, none of them are angels. I would even argue that none of the characters are particularly likeable, but they all go on their own journeys and transitions and this is the focus of the show - although the rape is the over arching plot. I think the show does not shy away from representing the characters realistically therefore no one is perfect, it’s gritty and probably more relatable.
You should give it a try, and see if your opinion changes 😊
@@opinionatedolivia1392 I get what you're saying. And I don't want to appear as if I'm bashing the series for its themes. people deserve shows that echo their sentiments about subjects relateable to their interests. For me, the series is just one of the long list of genres where in the final analysis, even the most seemingly fallible females are reconciled as heroic and justified in their destructive or cruel habits towards others, mostly male characters, because the trope already establishes them as sub-human predators anyway (if their straight.) I hear you. Arabella is reckless and insecure, but only on paper as an occasional descriptor, so whatever recklessness isn't really likely to be based on singular self culpability, but predictably the fault to a man or men or rape culture but essentially an indictment of the male population as expressive of human (Straight )sexuality as pathology and not as sincere. Besides its telegraphed that whatever destruction she may in some degree cause men will likely be presented as an act of empowerment, not necessarily as an extension of unlikeability . To achieve this, an oversimplification is made to the male characters which outlines an overall depiction as "realistic" in the form of an imposed caricature that is then offered as the realistic true life final designation of deterministic male identity in broad general terms.
I guess from my position I'm just tired of yet another man as monster series. Insomuch as rape is the over arching plot, I'll respectfully pass. I'd rather give time to shows with depictions of male characters a bit more organic and not ideologically crafted to appeal to a politically formatted archetype of man=bad=rapist.
@hoppy bunny hey, if you watch the show, especially all the way to the last episode, i think you'll find that this is the exact show you are looking for! :D If anything, when i was watching it i thought this show may anger some man-hating radical feminists as the series shows sooo much nuance and defies expectations of "monster" and "angel". The show and characters and situations are all kinds of grey, and i think that was the point of the show. To make audiences re-think everything they think they know. It is never preachy and it is never black and white.