The dangers within society hidden under dystopian settings and drama. Governmental issues and corruption behind the action and scandals. When it is portrayed to us as entertainment, we forget that the meaning behind these series correlates to the real-world around us.
It is not a new concept for television series to hide societal and political meanings within their plotlines. Producers have been trying to tell their audiences something deeper since the 1900s, and continue to educate audiences through action-packed shows and dramatic scenes. While we may be aware of the shows that are openly political and display consistent messages regarding politics and society as a whole, we often miss the series that keep these meanings under the radar.
In recent television, there are a number of series that the audience has found these hidden meanings embedded in. The Handmaid’s Tale highlights how religious beliefs and old-time traditions affect women in society. More specifically, the show explores how the patriarchal control of women’s bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, and misogyny within society, can put women at danger. The series is dystopian, and is set in the Republic of Giliead–a totalitarian regime formed in the US after an infertility crisis and second civil war. Women are completely stripped of their rights and forbidden to take part in society apart from reproducing.
Though the series is an extreme, intense production of women-based-oppression and the effects of patriarchy, it explores the strong effects of oppression and poor treatment of women within the government. Other series, such as Mrs. America and Mad Men also explore women-based-oppression and its effects on society, often embedding the message into dystopian societies and perspectives.
TV series are also known to explore issues within the government and cases of corruption within the legal system. The well-known show House of Cards portrays a government replicating the United States, and uses extreme scenarios to show the impact issues within the government can have on the country as a whole. House of Cards discusses themes of power, manipulation, and the fragility of political systems built on unethical circumstances. We see how corruption and power-hungry individuals can not only affect the operations of the government but also put citizens in danger as well. Though the series takes it to an extreme point, with murder being involved to become president, it explores the parts of the American government that are not often discussed in the media.
Deeper meanings are hidden within television series not only for extra entertainment, but to reflect on the current social and political issues at the time and to engage the audience further. Using these themes for shows allows for stories to be told in ways of a plotline, rather than blatantly speaking on the issue. Not only does this raise awareness on specific topics, but engages the audience by reaching a broader audience. Many people keep themselves away from political or social topics, but embedding them within entertainment makes it more appealing.
There is meaning behind all forms of media. Producers are constantly attempting to engage their audiences, while remaining aware of the state of politics and of society. Whenever the television is on, there is a meaning to be found in almost every show our remote can click on.
