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TV Shows

Adolescence: Episode 1

A Breathless Beginning That Demands Your Full Attention Netflix’s Adolescence doesn’t ease you in. It drops you straight into the chaos with one continuous, high-wire shot that barely lets you blink. A little late to the game with this one, but for the next few posts, I’m going to take you through my experience of the show. Episode one is a tense, masterfully constructed hour of television that left me both impressed and unsettled, in all the right ways. Let’s talk about that one-take format first. It’s not a gimmick. Directed by Philip Barantini, the camera moves with the characters…

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Reflections

LGBTQIA+ in Media: A History of Struggle & Progress

Throughout history, literature and film have served as mirrors to society, reflecting the complexities of human identity, love, and struggle. Within this vast cultural landscape, LGBTQIA+ voices have long fought for visibility, often facing censorship, discrimination, or erasure. Yet, these voices persist, shaping narratives that challenge norms, inspire activism, and provide a sense of belonging for countless individuals. LGBTQIA+ in Cultural History LGBTQIA+ representation in literature can be traced back centuries, albeit often hidden in subtext or coded language due to societal restrictions. Writers like Oscar Wilde, whose novel The Picture of Dorian Gray subtly addressed themes of queerness, and…

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TV Shows

The Timeless Appeal of (the New) DuckTales

Few shows manage to capture the hearts of both kids and adults quite like Disney’s revamped “DuckTales” (2017 – 2021).

Now bear with me, because I know this might sound odd—but this modern take on the classic series is a work of pure genius. Not only does it rekindle the nostalgia of those who grew up with the original show, but it’s also carved out a distinct identity of its own with an all-star cast, top tier writing, and a perfect blend of comedy that appeals to viewers of all ages. Trust me when I say the new DuckTales is a must-watch for anyone and everyone.

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Reflections

Destigmatizing Fanfiction – A Conversation with Damien Gerard

Actor Damien Gerard, who is known for his work in Call of Duty: Black Ops War and most prominently on the hit HBO Max show Our Flag Means Death, recently joined me in a discussion about the importance of fanfiction. Fanfiction, and fandom culture in general, has long been surrounded by stigma – and to that, storytellers like Gerard agree that this needs to be changed. In this interview, I was lucky enough to sit down with him and hear his incredibly thoughtful insights on the topic.

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TV Shows

Our Flag Means Representation – an Analysis of Everyone’s Favourite Pirate Show

By now, you’ve probably either heard of or watched HBO’s latest hit show Our Flag Means Death, created by David Jenkins. After seeing tons of buzz, fanart, and general discussion about the show online, I already knew it was a show I’d enjoy, especially since many were applauding its queer characters and narratives. And though I was a bit late to the game in watching it (the finale premiered at the end of March 2022), I finally binged it this past weekend.

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Reflections

Why I Want to See More Intersectional Queer Representation in Media

Visibility matters. It’s a simple enough concept, one we’ve heard time and time again. And yet, there is still a huge gap in mainstream TV and film media that needs to be filled. While I fully acknowledge that it has taken a long time for LGBTQIA+ stories to make their way to small and big screens, we are now at a point where we need to work harder to normalize intersectional queerness. As such, I expect those in storytelling industries to prioritize underrepresented queer voices, because there is simply no excuse not to make queer people of colour, people with…

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