Critics Discussing a Dark Small-Screen Season

The small screen this season has been reflecting our current American moment back at us, but one under-the-radar Netflix comedy set in the Arctic managed to provide a rare blast of cheer. As we navigate through the second term of Trump, viewers find ourselves grappling with whether we turn to television for escapism or for deep dives into societal issues.

TV shows like Survivor, Top Chef, and Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal are drawing inspiration from real-world events, like autism crusades, flight disasters, and Canadian identity crises, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Even Disney+, FX/Hulu, and Apple TV+ are diving deep into political, societal, and existential themes in their latest series, turning subtext into text across the dial.

It’s hard not to notice the parallels between fictional narratives and real-world events in shows like Andor, The Rehearsal, and Adolescence, reflecting our current political climate, FAA gutting, and rise of certain online communities. Even familiar favorites like Daredevil: Born Again and Black Mirror are hitting close to home in their storylines, making us think deeply about the state of our world.

The shows on our screens are more thought-provoking than ever before, with themes that mirror our own experiences and amplify our own anxieties. As we navigate through this gloomy small-screen spring, these series are urging us to reflect on the world around us in a way that’s both challenging and illuminating.