by The Cowl Editor on September 17, 2020
Film and Television
by Grace O’Connor ’22 A&E Staff
Being stuck in quarantine offered ample opportunity to watch new and exciting shows. On July 31, Netflix released the second season of The Umbrella Academy, an intriguing show that explores a dysfunctional family with superpowers. The show is an adaptation of the comic book The Umbrella Academy and has the original author, Gerard Way, and artist, Gabriel Ba, serving as executive co-producers. 43 infants with superpowers are born to random women who show no sign of pregnancy. Seven of these children are adopted by Mr. Hargreeves who turns them into the “Umbrella Academy.” Their task is to save the world. The Umbrella Academy highlights the characters’ teamwork dynamics‘ as the siblings share more differences than similarities.
Dear White People is another new release on Netflix, which follows several students of color at an Ivy-League-type institution discussing issues related to social justice. The first season was released in 2017, and it is now in its final season. The students shed light upon the underlying tensions and issues that surround the predominately white school they attend. The first few episodes of season one are told from different characters’ perspectives in 30-minute increments. The show explores each student’s story and perspective.
The Netflix series is based off of the 2014 film with the same title. The film’s writer and director, Justin Simien, wrote and directed Netflix’s Dear White People as well. This show is extremely important, now more than ever, as it presents people actively fighting against societal inequalities. These issues should not be ignored, and Dear White People forces viewers to acknowledge them
Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created by Sam Levinson which premiered on HBO in 2019. The show is based on high school students and their experiences, especially regarding their identities and social lives.
Popularity surrounding Euphoria has picked up significantly over the past few months. The characters each fight their own battles, and the beauty of the show is the authentic portrayal of said battles. Euphoria is one of the first shows to tackle many different issues that teenagers struggle with daily, including substance abuse, cyberbullying, relationship violence, and mental illness. These issues are not frequently discussed, and the show portrays struggles that many go through that are not always obvious. By bringing awareness to these issues, it reduces the stigma surrounding them.
Outer Banks quickly became a favorite on Netflix following its release. It has rapidly gained popularity since season one was released on April 15 and season two was just recently announced. The show follows a group of four close friends known as the “Pogues,” who are on a mission to find treasure that is linked to the missing father of one of the main characters, John B. The Pogues, who are disdained by the “Kooks,” the wealthy and superior group, overcome many obstacles throughout the show that strengthen their overall bond.
The show tackles the idea of social inequality through the Pogues and the Kooks. In today’s society, social inequality is a prominent issue that impacts a large majority of individuals. Outer Banks reels viewers in by adding mystery into the mix of these issues. The loyalty between the Pogues is clear and makes the audience feel closer to them. Season one ended on a cliffhanger, leaving the viewers wanting more and looking forward to the next season. The creators of the show, Josh and Jonas Pate, expect Outer Banks to run for four to five seasons.
Love is Blind is a new show that was released in early 2020. This series explores the distinction between emotional and physical attraction. Love is Blind brings together men and women who have never met prior to the show. These individuals get to know each other by speaking through pods but are not able to see each other. The intent behind this is so that couples can establish an emotional connection before a physical one. Love is Blind emphasizes the idea that many missed emotional connections may happen when people only focus on physical looks. It also highlights the fact that both are equally important in a relationship.
Whether you wanted to escape the COVID-19 pandemic with a show about connecting emotionally with others like Love is Blind, or immerse yourself into the quirky dynamic found in The Umbrella Academy, these Netflix shows offered something for every mood during quarantine.