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 The “auteur” has been replaced by the “showrunner,” and art house cinemas are losing business to Netflix-streaming laptop computers.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.

9,237 Comments

  • ABUTOGEL commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    The most complete and trusted online gaming site that provides online slot and lottery games that are very exciting and very easy to win. This gaming site is the best site, for further information please visit this website https://152.42.208.174/

  • nagavip168 commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    Aw, this became quite a nice post. In idea I have to invest writing in this way additionally – taking time and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but so what can I say… I procrastinate alot by no means seem to get something carried out. Winbox register

  • nagavip168 commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly. digital marketing agency Cape Town

  • nagavip168 commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    I’ve bookmarked your weblog due to the fact I genuinely like it. Rob Wegner

  • nagavip168 commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is just cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work. kre alkalyn bodybuilding

  • Harry commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment! alexistogel

  • nagavip168 commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    For those who have thyroid issues then you could know that this gland generates hormones within the body. When your body just isn’t capable to generate these hormones in the manner that it should it trigger imbalances within the body that may lead to the excessive production of moles. eyelash adhesive glue

  • cancimen commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    sobat777 adalah pusat hiburan nomor 1 yang menyediakan game slot terlengkap dan bisa main dengan hanya 5000 saja sobat777

  • ar commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    Abonnement IPTV parfait pour les amateurs de sport. IPTV France

  • All Minecraft Capes commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    Right now you can only use Markdown for your server’s description, we plan to change this with a feature rich text editor to help you create the best description for your server All Minecraft Capes

  • duvet cover set commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    Bathrobes are more than just a practical garment for post-shower lounging; they are a symbol of luxury, comfort, and personal style. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the world of bathrobes, exploring their history, the different types available, the best materials, and tips on choosing the perfect robe. duvet cover set

  • ad commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    i will set up my new concept from this submit. It gives extensive information. thanks for this precious records for all,.. have a peek here

  • jiana commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    sobat777 situs gacor gampang maxwin dan terpercaya bisa depo 5000 setiap hari sobat777

  • handoko commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    sobat777 agen slot online depo 5000 yang gampang menang dan terpercaya sobat777

  • hayamai commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    sobat777 adalah slot online terbaik server nexus yang memiliki game tergacor se Indonesia dan memiliki banyak event game menarik. sobat777

  • viwit commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    I inspired, I want to mention. Actually not often do I come upon a blog that every educative and entertaining, and allow me allow you to recognize, you have got got hit the nail on the top. Your concept is first-rate; the problem is one component that now not sufficient individuals are talking intelligently approximately. I am very glad that I stumbled across this in my search for some thing regarding this. best car insurance in uae

  • farel commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    sobat777 agen slot online tergacorr dan terpercaya pasti nya, proses nya cepat dan bisa depo 5000 sobat777

  • robi mr commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    sobat777 agen slot online tergacorr dan terpercaya pasti nya, proses nya cepat dan bisa depo 5000 sobat777

  • Guerill Apeaceu commented on June 15, 2024 Reply

    Your recipe for slot indosat looks scrumptious! I tried it last night, and it was a hit with my family. Your clear instructions and the tips you provided made the cooking process a breeze. Can’t wait to explore more of your recipes.

  • oliver12 commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    extraordinary records sharing .. i’m very glad to read this newsletter .. thanks for giving us undergo info.excellent excellent. I respect this submit. 糖尿病可以吃威而剛嗎

  • oliver12 commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    i will set up my new concept from this submit. It gives extensive information. thanks for this precious records for all,.. 吃到假威而鋼

  • Terra Hill commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    it is a symbol of status and accomplishment. But there is also the other aspect of a home to contend with. It is to do with numbers.  Terra Hill

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    This really which means delightful not to mention original. I just absolutely adore typically the styles not to mention anyone who will become it again in your mailing could be cheerful. click site

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new surveys are added- checkbox and from now on if a comment is added I receive four emails with similar comment. Possibly there is that is you are able to get rid of me from that service? Thanks! 군밤티비

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Some genuinely nice stuff on this internet site , I it. ai images

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    you’ve gotten an ideal weblog right here! would you like to make some invite posts on my weblog? CANADIAN HOCKEY ENTERPRISES

  • Katsu5 Official commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Di SItus Katsu5 Resmi, Anda akan menemukan beragam pilihan lebih dari 30 game slot gacor, termasuk Pragmatic Play dan PG SOFT. Sebagai pengembang situs slot terkemuka dan pemegang lisensi resmi di Indonesia, kami menawarkan pengalaman bermain slot online terbaik.

  • VN88 commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Make your voice heard! The Weis Feedback Customer Satisfaction Survey is a quick and easy way to share your recent shopping experience and help them improve.
    https://vn88.market/

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Amazing short article. Your article influences a great deal of vital issues of our own modern society. Many of us can not be uninvolved for you to these kind of issues. This specific article presents ideas along with aspects. Quite helpful along with functional. Overhead Cranes

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    That is the nice tips and hints certainly towards some of those having their first go blogosphere, temporary not to mention adequate information… Thanks a lot for the purpose of showing gas 4 free :. Vital read through piece of writing. jasa iklan shopee

  • nagavip168 commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    I really pleased to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for : D likewise saved to my bookmarks . ibogaine for sale

  • Bisma shakir commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    I think about it is most required for making more on this get engaged on call strippers

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Excellent publish, Thanks with regard to discussing This particular understanding. Wonderfully created post, if perhaps just about all writers provided exactly the same degree of content material while you, the web will be a far better location. Make sure you continue the good work! agency tiktok resmi

  • eban commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Aktualisieren Sie die Software Ihres Störsenders regelmäßig, um Sicherheitslücken zu schließen und das Gerät gegen neue Bedrohungen zu schützen. Klicken Sie hier, um weitere Störsender-Inhalte anzuzeigen

  • nagavip168 commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    i really like to color my hair and i would love to try different hair colors specially auburn, cargo

  • nagavip168 commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Nice post. I find out something very complicated on various blogs everyday. Most commonly it is stimulating you just read content using their company writers and rehearse something from their website. I’d choose to use some with the content on my small weblog no matter whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on the internet blog. Many thanks sharing. hair products

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    What would be your next topic next week on your blog.*;,-~ slot lampu777

  • Frank commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Absolutely pent subject matter, appreciate it for selective information . alexistogel

  • SEO commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    I bookmared your site a couple of days ago coz your blog impresses me..~`:~ hit77 slot

  • seo commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Very interesting read, you should look into some Online Advertising liga 777

  • nagavip168 commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    It’s difficult to find knowledgeable people within this topic, but you be understood as you know what you are dealing with! Thanks Singapore family office requirements

  • basit khan commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    The Coinxes platform is a digital exchange that allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies from anywhere in the world. Unlike your average exchange, it boasts of more features that bridge the gaps experienced by users registered in other exchanges. Where to buy coinxes token Coinxes Gold token

  • Harry commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Really I enjoy your site with effective and useful information. It is included very nice post with a lot of our resources.thanks for share. i enjoy this post. alexistogel

  • nagavip168 commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    It’s not that I want to replicate your web page, but I really like the style and design. Could you tell me which design are you using? Or was it especially designed? Singapore Business Law

  • Frank commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    House Lawyers… […]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[…]… a course in miracles app

  • peter commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Liga777 Adalah situs agen bola sbobet resmi terpercaya yang menyediakan taruhan bola online, serta daftar slot gacor 777 dan slot gacor hari ini slot777 gampang menang jp maxwin. liga777

  • brainsclub commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    http://briansclub.tv/“brainsclub’s attention to detail and customer-centric approach make them a standout choice. Their commitment o excellence is evident in every interaction.”

  • Harry commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback. alexistogel

  • Frank commented on June 16, 2024 Reply

    House Lawyers… […]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[…]… a course in miracles videos

Leave a Reply

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