An Open Letter

I just started watching it yesterday since I’d heard good things about it and have seen enough tiktoks, and honestly it’s pretty spot on with all the criticisms from people. Specifically, how it’s just a power fantasy show, something meant to self-insert. I feel like when you think about it separately, it seems like such pandering-slop, and kinda pathetic. Wanting to watch something where someone just keeps being underestimated, where someone is weak and always picked on and taken advantage of, and somehow they become secretly powerful and can enact justice in justified situations. Like being attacked and preyed on, and being able to get revenge in a self-defense situation. Things like this really just line up with I think a feeling I share with a lot of other people. I think it’s the fantasy of having control over those situations in real life, places where you don’t feel like you can stop it or stand up for yourself. Like if your boss starts criticizing you or blaming you for something that is not your fault, or other similar situations. And also, of course, the worse examples of being bullied or abused. I think it’s fairly addictive to have the thought and desire to be able to stand up and fight back, or even just have control in those situations. And I think shows like this aim to scratch that itch. I found it fairly weird how the show makes a point early on to show how women are fawning and throwing themselves at him because of his physical changes, and how people notice him working out. I think that’s a weird gym-pill, since it seems like it’s trying to sell the idea how working out makes such a drastic difference and suddenly he is wanted and powerful. I think it’s a bit manipulative, since I think there will be a lot of impressionable people watching the show and wanting to chase the same control or agency over their own lives. Honestly so far I’ve enjoyed it however, which is weird to say after all of these red flags I’ve mentioned LOL.