By Kaya Miller
August 10th, 2018, the Netflix original television series Insatiable was released for all the public to see. Before its release, advertisements of all kinds were released to the public hoping to draw in fans. In my case, it did. I was intrigued by the synopsis, which was, “A bullied teenager turns to beauty pageants as a way to exact her revenge, with the help of a disgraced coach who soon realizes he’s in over his head.”(Netflix). In the show, Patty, the main character, faces many plot twists and turns after she becomes skinny and angry. Her friend Nonnie is by her side loyally with her lawyer and pageant coach Bob Armstrong. The latest season recently released, October 11th , 2019, follows these three and many more in each of their intertwined personal journeys and crazy experiences.
The show has caused some debate about the message it is sending to viewers about overeating and weight. Some viewers even petitioned for it to be removed from the company’s platform. Clearly, some people do not appreciate the complete ridiculousness that is the Insatiable plot, and some do. One specific critic that spoke out about their disdain for the show was Constance Grady, who published a review the day of season one’s release.
What Grady had to say about the show was quite blunt, and very clearly displayed her disapproval. The review proclaimed that, “Insatiable, the controversial new show from Netflix that debuts on Friday, is simultaneously one of the cruelest and most poorly crafted shows I have ever seen.” (Vox, Grady, 2018). That was just the opening line of Vox’s review. Throughout the rest of the critique, Grady takes the moral high ground towards a show that pokes fun at what we normally would find cheesy and wrong. All the little bits of dark and extra humor in the series, Grady sees as merely a failed attempt at sending a message, and accuses the show of deliberately making fun of serious and sensitive issues. Grady says that, “Insatiable is not only cruel and fatphobic; it’s boring, too.”(Vox, Grady, 2018). Some may agree with her, but another critic of the show’s initial release had a much different perspective on this Netflix original.
As mentioned, this show had viewers who enjoyed the antics provided. Slate magazine’s Daniel Schroeder is one of them, and celebrated what Insatiable has to offer. Schroeder calls Insatiable, “… a delicious confection.”(Slate, Schroeder, 2018) From this quote, one can tell Schroeder understands how wonderfully “extra” and addicting the show is. The word “camp” has been used to describe the show; meaning that it isn’t meant to be taken seriously, and it’s all in good fun. In the whole review, it is repeated that Insatiable has a lot to offer in the area of harmless fun, and that it’s extraness is its point. “It’s an intentional mess, where nothing should be taken seriously … That’s not to say the show is without heart. Indeed, Insatiable’s campy shallows disguise occasional depths of emotion, moments that register all the more effectively for their rarity.” (Slate, Schroeder, 2018) Daniel Schroeder is saying that Insatiable can be taken seriously, and even states that comparing the show’s nonsense to its darker and more serious/sensitive moments, allows a deeper, fuller enjoyment of all that comes with the series.
With all this said, lend me your ear for one final opinion—mine—before you decide. I too originally believed that the show was going to be terrible, that I would find it obnoxious and inane. When I found out what it was, I was pleasantly surprised. I fell in love with the zany characters, each showing different layers, while also being spoofed as one-dimensional characterizations. My first descriptions were along the lines of “glorious trash” because of how little sense it made, but in a most delightful way. I was hooked from the get-go. The show draws you in with exciting colors and confusing stories all mixed into one bizarre trip. And that was just the first season. The second, I feel, goes deeper on all accounts. We see more dimensions added onto the classic tropes and stereotypes of the characters. The program allows its characters to face their issues head-on.
For me, the second season tremendously improved on earlier mistakes. While staying over the top, and wacky, it began leaning into the dark desires of Patty and those around her. The show grew more consistent, and provided a stable narrative path to follow on an insane ride. As for the actors themselves, they really sold their characters to me; I felt they truly captured the essence of their roles, and not once did they falter in that essence. All together for me it is a strong and entertaining show; one that viewers can happily lose themselves in.
The real question is, what will this show be for you? Another binge to pass the time, something you hate with a burning passion, or a newfound love that you can’t stop revelling in? The decision is yours.