By: Marsia Johnson
Netflix premiered a new series this summer called Insatiable, following the story of a “former fatty” who got skinny and seeks revenge on the people who bullied her through beauty pageants. Aside from what the trailers lead us to believe, the show touches on more than just body image issues often reflecting on the struggle to find inner beauty and validation from within.
The show received bad ratings before the series premiere, and Netflix users were calling for the show to be cancelled because of concerns about body shaming.
While I certainly don’t condone body shaming, I found that the show’s purpose isn’t just about body image. I can’t say that I think the show is good, but I did find the show interesting enough to stick it through the whole first season.
There are mixed reviews about the show at PLU. I asked 5 students, selected at random, if they heard of the show and what they thought about it.
One student said that the many bad reviews already made them raise an eyebrow, and when they tried to watch the show, they only got two episodes in. Similarly, another student agreed that they thought it looked good, but after the first episode, they lost interest.
In contrast, one interviewee said they absolutely loved the show for its unique plot.
However, I think it is important to watch the show with the realization that its intent is meant to be paired with its genre: satire. This show is a dark comedy which, I think, American viewers typically have a harder time following.
While the genre walks along extremities, it gives the creators the liberty of reaching those tough conversations without skirting around controversial topics of eating disorders and mental disorders, self-expression, obsession, and morality. On the surface it might look like a dumb ugly-duckling show, but it actually mocks the impression that if we fix ourselves on the outside, somehow our inside will follow.
The main character, Fatty Patty, is seriously messed up from her past and has a problem with impulsivity and rage. As someone who feels the societal pressure to look a certain way, I can empathize with Patty.
I do think the show can be a bit obscene and over-the-top ridiculous at times, which is something that is only natural in a satire. However, I can’t help but applaud their efforts in highlighting a concern that is reflected in body image issues, which is an appetite for validation.
While I do think that sometimes the show’s satire is ineffective and is too extreme to be taken seriously, I think that Insatiable deserves a little credit for shedding light on a wound that has already been salted. I can’t say that I’ll be tuning in for the second season, but the show did raise awareness to big questions that are very relevant in today’s world.
