‘Jungle’ Recap: ‘Welcome to the Jungle’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Jungle’.
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One particular type of story that has become commonplace in popular media, is the distressed city crime drama. Wherein we meet individuals that are living a tough life. One where crime is the only career choice and where danger is everywhere, and they are desperate to escape. And these stories often are accompanied by a message as well, one designed to raise awareness about a world that we can impact. For these tough lives don’t have to exist if a little care and help and demand came from the general public. But what’s fascinating, is that these stories keep popping up with that message, simply because very little has changed when it comes to such challenges.

Which is likely attributed to the fact that few have paid attention to that message and those that do potentially give up or never get started in their work to fix it or something else keeps them from stepping in and helping. Which does leave one to wonder, how we impact that change and how we get people to listen to the message and well, a brand-new series on Prime Video… is doing its best to handle the latter of those two conundrums by offering up a fresh take on this particular genre of storytelling. For Jungle is a crime drama unlike any other out there, courtesy of some unique concepts and some inventive storytelling execution. 

For instance, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ is a story set in the not too distant future. In a world that feels akin to our own but also has that November 2019 Blade Runner vibe. Which brings forth some stunning visuals that demand your attention and how the story is told here is equally as compelling. For much of the plot and the feelings and needs of the characters, are expressed through song. Specifically, an ultra-hip rap style that allows for maximum impact upon the viewer. Since a musical expression of frustration and hope and everything in between… resonates with a viewer and holds their attention nicely and that allows for powerful messages to hang heavy over the story in a good way and the plot in and of itself is of note as well.

Because it is the only element here that feels traditional. Since we are introduced to a man named Hugo (Gogo to his friends) who is trying desperately to escape his life. For he is indeed embroiled in a life of crime and is doing his best to stack paper to try and provide a better life for his love, Jessica and their future child. Which definitely is relatable since we all want that more secure life, and Gogo’s desire to try and escape the life and his push to try and do everything right in doing so, despite the roadblocks that await is also relatable and engaging and it all definitely has you pulling for Gogo to find the right path forward and succeed. Because he is indeed a good man embroiled in a world that is sour and angry and unbecoming of him. 

Which of course, ties back to that central message that everyday life in big cities isn’t easy and that crime persists, because the world turns the other cheek on such matters, thinking someone else will sort it out. But this time around, the visuals, the music/musical numbers and the sheer purity of Gogo and his plight… prompts one to listen and really ponder upon why we let this kind of secondary world persist in the richest nations, and how best we can change and eliminate those problems, and those thoughts will likely persist in the weeks to come as we continue our journey through this fresh and inventive story to see if Gogo can indeed escape the difficult world that surrounds him. Until next time.

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