Is “Breaking Bad” Really a Morality Play?
Vince Gilligan has said that the larger lesson of the series is that “actions have consequences,” and often cites examples within the show, such as an airplane collision, as symbolizing the…
How Much of “Breaking Bad”‘s Walter White, Was Shaped by the Performer, Bryan Cranston?
Cranston made enormous contributions in developing his own character. Gilligan left a substantial amount of Walter’s past unexplained so Cranston came up with his own backstory for the character.…
How Authentic is “Downton Abbey”?
Despite efforts at period detail, the show has been criticized widely for its linguistic anachronisms, including the contemporary accents of the wealthy characters. Some historians like Simon…
Is “Game of Thrones” Misogynistic?
Game of Thrones has been called one of the most graphic shows on television, and this had led to criticism for its frequent sex and nudity, often focused on women, sometimes with very graphic…
Does “Downton Abbey” Have a Political Agenda?
A lot of writers, noting creator Julian Fellowes’ lifelong monarchist Tory politics, have argued that the show is the most conservative drama on television. Emma Brockes of The Guardian notes…
How Accurate is “Boardwalk Empire” at Recreating its Era?
Edward McGinty, who not only plays Al Boyd in the show but is also head historical researcher and consultant, told Wired that “the first season was more about building the world. It was a lot of…
Is “Boardwalk Empire” a Docudrama?
No. Creator Terence Winter wanted the setting and context to be as detailed and as faithful as possible to the non-fiction work that inspired the show, but the plot and characters are strictly…
Is “Louie” a Misogynist?
The fourth season featured an episode where Louie tries to rape a friend and recurring character who had been the object of infatuation in prior seasons. (It’s one of a handful of core plot…
Is “Louie” Autobiographical?
No. While the premise (like much of his stand-up comedy) draws heavily from his own personal life, it was merely a starting point. As Louie C.K. has stated many times, “the show has broken off…
Does “Homeland” Misrepresent Muslims?
The show has been criticized by some for its portrayal of Muslims, particularly Al Jazeera broadcast journalist Laila Al-Arian, who wrote a widely-read, scathing review for Salon, and foreign…
Why Did Louis C.K. Choose to Make His Ex-Wife African-American on His Show?
According to Louie C.K., “When I was drawing from my own life, I didn’t want to have the story be about an ex-husband and ex-wife—that relationship wasn’t what I wanted to write about. I…
Why Does “Louie” Have so Many Continuity Inconsistencies?
Though the show does maintain certain elements from episode-to-episode, Louie C. K. has made it clear that he’s not dedicated to continuity and more than willing to break from television…