In the Flesh TV Show Review
“Im just a person who didn’t want to do any more harm. Don’t start getting all mystical on me, okay? I’m not the messiah. I don’t have any special powers,” says the protagonist of the show In the Flesh. In the Flesh is a new and refreshing show on BBC. It has two seasons with nine episodes in total so far, and all the fans are eagerly waiting for it to be renewed for its third season. It takes place after The Rising (zombie apocalypse), which is when the Undead rose from their graves. Scientists after years finally discovered a way to suppress the “rabid state” of the zombies but not permanently cure them. The Undead also still have memories of the horrific things they did in their uncontrollable rabid state. The government then helps the Undead in their treated state become a part of society again.
The show focuses on how society reacts to these people that are different from them living in their midst. The main protagonist of the show is a teenager named Kieren Walker. The quote in the beginning of this article shows who Kieren is very well. He is a very modest person who is simply trying to do the right thing. Kieren isn’t trying to be a hero, he just wants to be a good person, and that makes him all the more admirable. The setting of the show is mainly in his very prejudiced town which hates PDS sufferers. PDS sufferers is the “politically correct” term to call the Undead in their treated state. Citizens that hated them use the demeaning word “Rotters.” The idea behind this show is something that is very original.
The show, while depicting something more trivial, zombies, actually mirrors important issues in life today, such as how people who are different from the majority are persecuted. In addition, it shows how extremist political groups on both sides of the spectrum are bad. It also explores PTSD and themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and more. Even though there is a lot of tragedy, it is balanced with comedic relief scenes.
Also, the show tackles sexuality subtly and well. Many people always say that they want a character who is gay, but their entire storyline doesn’t revolve around that one fact. They want a character who is gay, but that is not their defining characteristic. Kieren Walker is the character these people are looking for. He is a well written three dimensional protagonist who has many storylines but also happens to be fluid in his sexuality. Never in the show was a big deal made of his sexuality. It never even directly was said clearly in the show what his sexuality is; we just see him in relationships. The creator and writer of the show, Dominic Mitchell, describes Kieren’s sexuality by saying that "he's not gay, but he’s not straight. He’s more in love with the person than the gender."
Not only is the main character well written but all the other characters are too. Villains can be seen in both extremist political groups, and their motives are clear. Additionally, while good female characters are hard to come by, this BBC show succeeded in creating good ones. Most TV shows characterize their female characters as sexual objects or having the typical “strong female character.” Being a strong female character is fine, but a lot of the times TV writers forget that girls can be different from the typical strong or weak girls. Most watchers find themselves wanting something more and different from these. In the Flesh has complex female characters that are not put in these strict categories. They are actually depicted as people who are three dimensional and have many sides and not just as flat side characters.
It should also not be overlooked how this show is also flawless in the technicalities of film making. The script writing is original, the acting is incredible and the cinematography is impeccable. The show is not known by many but is gaining fame, recently winning a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award. In the Flesh is a show that deserves to have more appreciation and a larger audience.
