Content Warning: discussion of media portrayals of drug use, addiction, suicide and self-harm.
The HBO spectacular Euphoria has come under fire from the anti-drug organisation D.A.R.E, for the way the show glorifies the use of drugs and sex. With shows like Euphoria, 13 Reasons Why and Ginny and Georgia, we are seeing more TV series explore harsh topics – so, should we be avoiding them?
First, let’s look at Euphoria. With Season 2 well on its way, and Season 3 confirmed for production, there must be something about it that makes it so popular, despite the complaints. With its main character, Rue Bennet (Zendaya), struggling with drug addiction, the drug world is pivotal in the show's storyline, but does this focus make the show toxic to the audience? It is clear that Euphoria has a certain aesthetic that perhaps puts a magical spin on drug use, using its glittery, purple tones to lull the audience into a false sense of security. This is especially significant for younger watchers (who may have grown up watching Zendaya on Disney Channel), because despite the 18+ age restriction, there is no stopping younger, more impressionable viewers from watching such shows. But it’s not all sparkles and rainbows, either in the show or in real life.
Especially in Season 2, it is clear that creator Sam Levinson is in no way glamorising the life of a drug addict – he would know, having struggled with addiction himself. Despite this juxtaposing mix of aesthetic and truthful storytelling, should we still be encouraging the production of this type of show, especially knowing that the complaints will come rolling in? In spite of the complaints, Emmy award winning actress, Zendaya has defended the show herself saying, “our show is in no way a moral tale to teach people how to live their life or what they should be doing”. Before each season premiere, she also posts on social media a warning about the topics that will be discussed. With a fair amount of warning, audiences are warned that the show is simply trying to highlight the trials and tribulations of reality, taken from first-hand experience.
Other popular shows, such as 13 Reasons Why, explore topics such as suicide and self-harm. Despite representing a harsh reality, it is suggested that some younger audiences are becoming influenced by such shows and therefore seeking the lifestyles represented in this way. It could be suggested that it is up to viewer discretion as to whether they/their children watch the shows, and they have been fully informed on the topics to be discussed. But others argue that such topics should not be represented in a dramatized way at all, despite looking at the darker sides of society. After all, isn’t social media just as toxic?
The popularity of such shows makes it difficult to decide whether the shows are detrimental to society. Production will continue, and whether you like it or not, these topics wouldn’t be represented if they weren’t happening in everyday life. So despite its harsh reality, it’s safe to say that such topics will always be tricky to discuss, either on the screen or in real life. To be accurate is to be harsh.