By
Updated 1 year ago,January 16, 2024
The Idolgets more problematic with each episode.
The show has become a mix of trauma porn and cultism at this point.
And, it arguably has no commendable reason to exist.
Jocelyn and Tedros in ‘The Idol’ | HBO
Yet, the scene did not further humanize Jocelyn.
It was never about Jocelyn.
The disturbed is in place to fluster not feel.
Its as if the writers are deriving some masochistic satisfaction from the pretty girl in pain.
And, it only gets worse with episode 3.
Early in the episode, Jocelyn talks with one of Tedros musical groupies about her mother.
Jocelyn in ‘The Idol’ | HBO
A single tear flows from her face as she explains why she doesnt write a song about her mom.
She notes that her fans dont want to hear it.
These two barely know each other, making this act of intimacy baffling and insincere.
Tedros and Jocelyn in ‘The Idol’ | HBO
Trauma surfaces to orchestrate.
Theres always a development that will exploit the trauma to return the series to bleakness.
The scene is suspiciously saccharine.
Tedros, Jocelyn, Chaim and Destiny in ‘The Idol’ | HBO
So sweet in its leveraging for the sadism to come.
To get her out of bed in the morning.
To convince her to finish a song.
Leia, Jocelyn, and Tedros in ‘The Idol’ | HBO
To stop her from drinking.
She controlled her daughters life with physical violence.
Tedros asks Jocelyn if she misses the motivation the beatings apparently catalyzed before asking her to retrieve the brush.
He will take the place of her late mom.
Somehow he believes it wont destroy her in the process?
Its an inexcusable plotline that is utterly jaw-dropping.
Not because its effective storytelling but because its preposterous pandering to a desensitized culture.
Its an attempt at shocking the unshockable generation, and it does nothing more.
Its nonsensical for someone even as delusional as Tedros to endorse this logical fallacy.
Where is this pseudo-psychology coming from?
Tedros via ceaseless sex and exploitation of Jocelyn fragile sense of self has groomed the young woman.
Tedros has a crew of musically-inclined people who obey his every command.
His cult operates on the idea that all experiences no matter how tragic are positive.
Bad experiences lead to good art.
Its an old argument.
Yet, here it is more than a theoretical topic of conversation; it is a way of life.
The cult exists to underscore Tedros power.
It is no more than an extension of the shows resident villain.
The conversation that brings the cultism into the light wouldve been better left unsaid.
It allowed the series to lead viewers to curate their own hypotheses.
Within a single episode, Xander falls under Tedros spell.
A new cult follower that fast?
An advanced mind so easily warped?
Hes a practiced cult leader.
His magic is fast-working.
His abilities are endless.
Theres just one problem: Its unsubstantiated bullshit that falls flat in the face of rushed pacing.
And she just goes!
Yet, were supposed to simply swallow that character-defying rubbish?
you might argue shes afraid, but to stay away when she hears the yelling?
To not come rushing in or call the police?
The Idol,with each passing episode, travels further down the rabbit hole of controversy.
And, for what?
To have Tedros throw out words like retarded haphazardly simply because its an eye-widening term.
Its a generational insult, making the words usage not just impetuous but improbable.
So, why say it?
Why utter the word that makes the oxygen in the room dissipate?
Because people will react…
Well, people are reacting, but not with reflection and consideration.
