A Critic’s Role in the Golden Age

“TV is a problem only if you’ve forgotten how to look and listen,” claims a university professor in Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise. He complains that his students are no longer open to the medium; they find television “worse than junk mail… They’re ashamed of their television past. They want to talk about movies.” White Noise was published in 1985, when television programs were regularly criticized for being formulaic, lacking real substance and focusing more on commercial success than artistic profit. In fact, television’s reputation as an artistic medium was so bad that, in 1996, the premium network HBO began running ads with their new slogan: “It’s not TV. it’s HBO.

But now, the tables have turned. Personally, I have heard countless college students share viewpoints in perfect contradiction to the students in DeLillo’s book; they believe that film is dead, that television has been reborn. Avid fans of Game of Thrones and Mad Men will tell you; while Hollywood got hooked on commercially successful gimmicks like 3D superhero movies, television emerged as the premier platform for long-form storytelling. The “auteur” has been replaced by the “showrunner,” and art house cinemas are losing business to Netflix-streaming laptop computers.

HBO has long been fighting at the front lines of this television revolution. Oz, which debuted in 1997, was the network’s first long-form dramatic series, a dark story about life in prison that could be considered a forerunner in the push for weightier television content. Though Oz achieved little commercial success upon release, it paved the way for widely-acclaimed series like The Sopranos and The Wire. Then, unsurprisingly, the success of these high-quality dramas inspired imitations. The revolution that began on HBO spread across the television channels like static electricity. We saw Lost on ABC, then Friday Night Lights on NBC, followed by Mad Men and Breaking Bad on AMC. Fans and critics alike flocked proudly to their tubes; it was a new century, and the new content was no longer “worse than junk mail.” It was art.

But are we truly living in a “Golden Age” of television? Or is it a gilded age?

Though television may be better than it has ever been, I am too often disappointed by new series that turn out to be as formulaic as they are trendy. It is as if these shows are bouyed by the success of recent gems but still held to the low standards of classic television. This could be said of HBO’s most recent release, Westworld, a big-budget series that the network is banking on being the #NextBigThing. Though HBO’s Game of Thrones has maintained its army of followers, many of the network’s recent debuts—Vinyl, True Detective—have swallowed millions of dollars only to be cancelled in the prime time of their youth. For this reason, argues critic Emily Nussbaum in her New Yorker review of the series, Westworld “can’t just be good—it needs to be a hit, too.”

 

westworldpromo

 

Unfortunately, Westworld, like those other eventual flops, blew its budget on flash to blind audiences to the sloppiness of its narrative. Critics should be the ones to remind us how to “look and listen” like DeLillo’s professor, to watch television with a critical eye. But for an array of reasons, critics like Nussbaum and the AV Club’s Zack Handlen are largely complacent in the inflation of the medium’s reputation. Though Nussbaum’s review of Westworld raises important questions about the show, it is ultimately as toothless as Handlen’s in its judgment.

Based on the Michael Crichton film from 1973, Westworld is an intriguing offering; the show follows an ensemble of characters involved in a fictional Western-themed amusement park where the wealthy guests can have their way—sexually and violently—with the artificially intelligent “hosts” that populate the expansive artificial frontier. The series is ambitious; it tackles the darker sides of entertainment and human nature, placing the AI robots in center frame and featuring most of the human characters as creepy executives or their bloodthirsty clientele. As the robots slowly gain awareness of their sad situation, they increasingly inspire our empathy; the poor things get shot, stabbed and raped until night falls and their memories are wiped for another day of human amusement.

“The show introduces itself as a science-fiction thriller about cyborgs who become self-aware,” writes Nussbaum, but “then reveals its true identity as what happens when an HBO drama struggles to do the same.” She argues that the series is an attempt at criticizing our sadistic enjoyment of sex and violence in the media, “an exploitation series about exploitation.” The show actually works though, argues Nussbaum, because of its “elegance” and the way it “gets under your skin.” She is not wrong; like its opening credits sequence—needled artificial ligaments and a shiny player piano—the show is often as unnerving as it is stylish.

 

westworld-1_-_h_2016

 

Similarly, Handlen believes that the first episode of Westworld succeeds because it “never lets the horrors it depicts completely undercut a certain sense of wonder.” He discovers this sense of wonder in the hopeful robotic hosts, and also in himself as he puzzles over the mysteries of the amusement park. However, there is an important distinction to be made between elegance and wonder—while the former is a question of aesthetics, the latter is largely a function of plot. And the plot of Westworld creates a sense of wonder more through formulaic twists than through the emotive eyes of Dolores (the park’s “farmer’s daughter” attraction and the series’ main star).

Specifically, In order to build the foundations of a narrative that could last longer than the first episode’s ninety minutes, Westworld introduces layers of enigma that are clearly intended to reel audiences in without demonstrating any relevance to the rest of the story. For example, there is Ed Harris’ character, “The Man in Black,” who is searching for some kind of hidden objective within Westworld. Apparently, the only way to find this meta-game is to torture the robotic citizens until they divulge any relevant information—The Man in Black scalps a poor cowboy to find a maze hidden under his plastic forehead. Why should we, as an audience, care about this puzzling meta-game? It is not related to anything else that happens in the episode; the subplot only exists to develop a pervasive sense of conspiracy, as if beneath the main narrative there is something “bigger” going on. This tactic has been popular mostly in sci-fi and fantasy programs since Lost employed it to keep viewers intrigued for 121 cliffhanging episodes. The series constructed endless layers of mysteries while promising to reveal every secret, to eventually tie up each of its loose-ends. Spoiler alert: at Lost‘s finale, most of the series puzzles went entirely unsolved. If the generally held consensus is that a show is successful as long as it keeps audiences watching; I would argue that television succeeds only when a series keeps its promise to tell a complete and satisfying story. Lost‘s failure in this respect is enough to make me “wonder” about where Westworld is headed.

 

ed-harris-as-man-in-black-credit-john-p-johnson-hbo

 

Though Handlen agrees that The Man in Black is “an element that doesn’t quite work,” the lack of real plot development only makes him nervous for the episodes to come. He perceives the pilot as a success even though it functions only as extended exposition, more like the first part of a riddle than the first chapter of a full story. I find this logic confusing, as you would never endorse a riddle without knowing its solution—one half is meaningless without the other. Although she is more hesitant to demonstrate outright support of the series, Nussbaum similarly advises that we keep watching.

Primarily, Nussbaum criticizes the show for making use of the same exploitation that it claims to denounce—patriarchal violence against women in entertainment tailored to straight men. This is a valid concern; social satire can be even more problematic than its targets when it takes societal flaws to extremes without delivering the message that they are, in fact, flaws. Nussbaum worries that Westworld rides dangerously close to this type of ambiguity. She asks, “Is Westworld the blinkered macho fantasy, or is that ‘Westworld’?” This is the kind of scalpel-sharp critique that is too often lacking in television criticism; looking past the face value of a show to dissect it under the light of a larger political framework.

But the way that Nussbaum follows her query reveals why serious critique of the medium can be so challenging: “It’s a meta-cliffhanger with its own allure,” she writes, “leaving us only one way to find out: stay tuned for next week’s episode.” Handlen makes a similar statement in his review, sharing that he is uncertain whether or not the story will be sustainable, but is “eager to find out.”

 

westworldlukehemsworth-large_transy81phnlw26k7kws-prb1cmepeuo_wdycc5nwa1yrmnu

 

This is the paradox of television critique; a critic’s job is to swallow works of art whole, to digest them completely in oder to judge them fairly, but television is rarely complete. When a show has a strong following and commercial success, it can afford to close its narrative arcs and tell a whole story. But many series, like Lost, and probably Westworld, intentionally leave plot-lines soaring and mysteries unsolved so as to keep audiences hooked. How is a critic to judge a work that might be nothing but bait, that will only take off its mask after years of seasons have come and gone? Nussbaum and Handlen are somewhat critical of Westworld, but they hold their tongues in light of the fact that the series is only getting started, that their worries could be assuaged by future episodes. However, this position is insufficient, because future episodes will only exist if the audience responds positively to early episodes. In this way, television critics have their hands tied; they cannot fairly judge a show until it is finished, but still must play a role in whether or not that completion ever occurs. Netflix’s all-in-one season release model would help critics navigate this issue, but HBO has maintained its commitment to the classic episode-per-week trickle.

Moreover, the problem is only complicated by the fact that directors and writers are often shuffled between episodes and seasons—Westworld, for example, has had a unique creative team for each installment. Where does a singular work of television end and the next one begin? Handlen has written reviews of each Westworld episode one by one, becoming increasingly critical as HBO reveals more of its hand. “Spending hours showing us a curtain might hold our attention,” he writes in his review of episode five, “but sooner or later, you have to pull the curtain back.” Of course, penning piecemeal reviews like this limits a critic’s ability to judge the whole picture at once. On the other hand, Nussbaum’s review covers the first four episodes, an arbitrary number that is still too few to judge Westworld’s complete narrative, yet simultaneously too many to treat the episodes like individual works.

 

hbos-westworld-season-1-the-maze-1-670x376

 

It is tempting to submit the movie Ex Machina as the converse of Westworld (the film about artificial intelligence is subtle where Westworld is exploitative and narratively-taut where the show is tangled). It is equally tempting to entirely dismiss the show because of the painful performances from two of its actors, Simon Quarterman and Sidse Babett Knudsen, who play important Westworld executives (while he overacts enough to make Anthony Hopkins seem like a robot, she comes off colder than the robots due to her monotonic attempt at an American accent). But to make such warranted criticisms would be unfair to an artwork that is still unfinished. There is only one way to find out the truth about Westworld, and that is to pay for an expensive premium network subscription and watch one episode each week until most fans lose interest and the series is canceled. Only then will it be finished and we can criticize fairly in retrospect. But do not be discouraged! We are lucky to be living in the Golden Age of television.

Stay tuned.

10,000 Comments

  • tg777 commented on June 7, 2024 Reply

    Unlock a universe of fun and adventure by signing up for our online game—exclusive rewards and endless challenges await! Don’t miss out; register now and become a legend in our world.
    legitpinoy

  • Philwin commented on June 7, 2024 Reply

    Splendid insights you have. Keep posting this kind of article.
    Experience the thrill of our online game by registering today and gain access to unique in-game items and epic adventures! Join our community and start your journey to greatness.
    legitpinoy

  • saad commented on June 7, 2024 Reply

    Someone Sometimes with visits your blog regularly and recommended it in my experience to read as well. The way of writing is excellent and also the content is top-notch. Thanks for that insight you provide the readers! acim

  • QADIR SONIJA commented on June 7, 2024 Reply

    It’s on top of that a superb upload that him and i definitely treasured analyzing. It’s actually not each day we have opportunity to know a specific thing. chatwi

  • Cryptorobotics commented on June 7, 2024 Reply

    Want to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of crypto? Discover trading robots on: https://www.abes-dn.org.br/sabesp-abre-inscricoes-para-o-concurso-jovem-aprendiz/#comment-735569

  • basit khan commented on June 7, 2024 Reply

    Find the latest news, view the gallery, meet the partners, and read detailed team descriptions. All the important information about Sunrisers Hyderabad in one place. Sunrisers Hyderabad Cricket Team

  • RAHEEL commented on June 7, 2024 Reply

    Whenever i became on your site while having particular attention easily a bit of tiny bit submits. Pleasing technique for long run, I’ll be book-marking at the moment have models accomplish springs right up… SRL Cricket Live Score

  • Kassia commented on June 7, 2024 Reply

    A home is much more than just four walls and a roof. It kindles a range of emotions and thoughts in us. To some, it is a sense of security; to some, it is about comfort and to others, it is a symbol of status and accomplishment. Kassia

  • Oke play commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Okeplay777 Cara Terbaru Bermain Game Slot Online Bandar Slot Gacor Terbaik

  • TopBoosterSEO commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    I conceive this web web site incorporates some damn wonderful information for everybody : D. briansclub.com

  • TopBoosterSEO commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    I’d also like to say that maximum of those that find themselves with out medical insurance may be students, self-employed and people who’re jobless. More than 1/2 from the uninsured are truely underneath the age of Thirty-5. They do now not come to sense they’re wanting health insurance in view that they are young in addition to healthful. Their specific earnings is generally spent on houses, food, and entertainment. Most human beings that do go to paintings both complete or now not expert are not made to be had coverage by means of their jobs in order that they move without with the growing fee of health insurance within the united states. Thanks for the guidelines you write approximately thru this internet site. briansclub legit

  • gocengqq commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Hot Sex and Health: The Surprising Benefits of Regular Intimacy penipu online

  • Big Winser commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    This step-by-step guide is fantastic! I followed your instructions, and it worked like a charm. You made serbu4d so much easier for me. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

  • ku19 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    link vào kubet I know this is one of the most meaningful information for me Ku19

  • ae888 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Nhà cái AE888 https://ae888.supply/ là một trong những địa chỉ uy tín và phổ biến trong lĩnh vực cá cược trực tuyến tại Việt Nam. Với hệ thống hoạt động chuyên nghiệp, AE888 cung cấp cho người chơi một trải nghiệm cá cược đa dạng và hấp dẫn.AE888 tự hào là nhà cái cung cấp rất nhiều trò chơi phong phú như cá cược thể thao, sòng bài trực tuyến, xổ số và nhiều trò chơi khác, đáp ứng đa dạng nhu cầu giải trí của người chơi. Hơn nữa, với giao diện thân thiện, dễ sử dụng và hệ thống bảo mật an toàn, AE888 cam kết bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân và tài khoản của người chơi một cách tốt nhất.AE888 cũng chú trọng đến việc hỗ trợ khách hàng 24/7 thông qua các kênh liên lạc đa dạng như điện thoại, email, chat trực tuyến để giải đáp mọi thắc mắc và yêu cầu của người chơi một cách nhanh chóng và chuyên nghiệp.Với cam kết cung cấp dịch vụ tốt nhất và trải nghiệm cá cược chất lượng, AE888 là lựa chọn lý tưởng cho những ai đam mê cá cược trực tuyến và mong muốn tham gia vào một môi trường chơi game an toàn và minh bạch. Hãy tham gia AE888 ngay hôm nay để khám phá thế giới giải trí đa dạng và thú vị.

  • FB88 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    https://fb88.games FB88 là một trang web cá cược thể thao hàng đầu với uy tín và độ tin cậy cao. Với sự hoạt động chuyên nghiệp và đa dạng các dịch vụ cá cược, FB88 mang đến cho người chơi trải nghiệm đỉnh cao và hấp dẫn trong việc đặt cược trực tuyến trên các trận đấu thể thao.FB88cung cấp một loạt các trò chơi cá cược thể thao phong phú, bao gồm cược bóng đá, cầu lông, bóng rổ, đua ngựa và nhiều môn thể thao khác, đảm bảo đáp ứng nhu cầu giải trí của mọi người chơi.

  • SEO commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    The following is the perfect posting I actually found as a consequence of promote them. It’s really just what exactly Needed to check out anticipation around long run you are going to continue on to get spreading this sort of great posting. https://www.therealworld.org/login/

  • Frank commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    This information is magnificent. I understand and respect your clear-cut points. I am impressed with your writing style and how well you express your thoughts. acim

  • 메이저 사이트 추천 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    That is why advertising which you appropriate search earlier than submitting. It’ll be effortless to write down excellent write-up like that 메이저 사이트 추천

  • saad commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Someone Sometimes with visits your blog regularly and recommended it in my experience to read as well. The way of writing is excellent and also the content is top-notch. Thanks for that insight you provide the readers! LOTTERY DEFEATER

  • ali commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    “Tendas de jardim” refers to garden tents, providing shade and shelter for outdoor activities. These structures are often used for events, gatherings, or simply as a cozy spot to relax in the garden. Tendas de jardim

  • ali commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    “Tendas de jardim” refers to garden tents, providing shade and shelter for outdoor activities. These structures are often used for events, gatherings, or simply as a cozy spot to relax in the garden. Tendas de jardim

  • 베팅어택 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    This is just the information I am finding everywhere. Thanks for your blog, I just subscribe your blog. This is a nice blog.. 베팅어택

  • sara commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    very good factors you wrote here..amazing stuff…I assume you’ve got made some actually interesting points.hold up the best paintings. have a peek here

  • Scatter Hitam commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    If you are looking for a different and exciting slot playing experience, you are in the right place. Scatter Hitam Mahjong is here to give you the best entertainment with a classic touch of the legendary Mahjong game. We combine the traditional elements of Mahjong with the modern features of online slots, creating a gaming adventure that is not only exciting but also profitable.

  • 123goal commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    If we want to learn to listen nigoal and not just hear, it requires using more of our faculties.

  • agen judi slot commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Very nice work! I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon! I would also love to share my insights so please see slot gacor. Thanks!

  • 홀덤사이트 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    I prefer merely excellent resources – you will see these people in:  홀덤사이트

  • agen judi slot commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Very nice work! I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon! I would also love to share my insights so please see slot gacor. Thanks.

  • jameel commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    thank you for taking the time to talk about this, I feel strongly about it and love mastering greater on this topic. If possible, as you benefit knowledge, might you mind updating your blog with more information? it’s far extraordinarily useful for me. https://www.cialislilly.com/health/17.html

  • Roshan Shah commented on June 8, 2024 Reply
  • peter commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    COLOKSGP merupakan salah satu tempat login game slot online dan togel online diskon terbesar dengan minimal pasang 100 perak. daftar coloksgp

  • sara commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    i will set up my new concept from this submit. It gives extensive information. thanks for this precious records for all,.. 糖尿病陽痿

  • bubu commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    I am constantly thought about this, thanks for putting up. 총판커뮤니티

  • psceleb4184 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Alexistogel adalah bandar togel online yang telah terbukti menjadi salah satu yang terbaik dan terpercaya dalam industri bettingan online link alexistogel

  • sara commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    I’ve been trying to find a few first rate stuff at the concern and haven’t had any good fortune up till this point, You simply were given a new biggest fan!.. https://www.cialislilly.com/health/15

  • Frank commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    When visiting blogs, i usually discover a very good content like yours juraganfilm

  • Frank commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    I really got into this article. I found it to be interesting and loaded with unique points of interest. I like to read material that makes me think. Thank you for writing this great content. lk21

  • QADIR SONIJA commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    These types of feels 100 % most effective. These minimal information and facts will be built coupled with numerous track record information and facts. I favor this significantly. best ayurveda hospital in kerala

  • bubu commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    I truly enjoy looking at on this web site, it has superb articles. 토토총판

  • peter commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    COLOKSGP merupakan link daftar togel toto macau & bandar totomacau terbaik paling resmi di tahun 2024 dengan memberikan potongan diskon 4D dan 5D terbesar. login coloksgp

  • bubu commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Well done! I thank you your blog post to this matter. It has been useful. my blog: lemonade diet 총판커뮤니티

  • 카지노사이트 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    솔직히 말해서 스타일로 글을 쓰고 좋은 칭찬을받는 것은 꽤 어렵지만, 너무 차분하고 시원한 느낌으로 해냈고 당신은 일을 잘했습니다. 이 기사는 스타일이 돋보이며 좋은 칭찬을하고 있습니다. 베스트! 카지노사이트

  • SEO commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Many thanks with regard to supplying current improvements concerning the issue, We anticipate study much more. 外約

  • dicky13 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    a place 123bet that is far away

  • 토토사이트 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    당신의 기사는 정말 사랑스러워 보입니다. 여기 당신이 좋아할만한 사이트 링크가 있습니다. 토토사이트

  • anus syed hamid commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. Removals Bury

  • anus syed hamid commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. Home removals Bury

  • 슬롯 커뮤니티 commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    This is a topic that is near to my heart… Many thanks 슬롯 커뮤니티

  • saad commented on June 8, 2024 Reply

    Someone Sometimes with visits your blog regularly and recommended it in my experience to read as well. The way of writing is excellent and also the content is top-notch. Thanks for that insight you provide the readers! SUGAR DEFENDER

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *