Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘The Green Veil’. Time and time again, we’ve heard about how important it is to understand history, so that its mistakes are never repeated again, and that lesson has been popping up more than ever lately. Because just like that, there is a strange obsession in the United States, to return to a ‘simpler’ time, to that era of Americana where supposedly life was just amazing and nothing was wrong with America. Unless of course you count, the physical and mental abuse so many underwent in that era, in the name of the perfect family mode, and the wanton racism and disgusting views toward BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals that ran rampant. But somehow, that’s been forgotten, and we need to be reminded of it, and storytelling is thankfully helping with that. For instance, The Network series, The Green Veil, showcases the ugliness that is Americana by plunging us into the everyday lives of the Rogers family. A perfect family unit composed of Gordon, Mabel and their adopted daughter, Abigail. Well, that is… a perfect family unit in Gordon’s mind. Because he is the breadwinner in the family as an FBI Special Agent, so what he says goes. Which means, Mabel and Abigail are best seen and not heard, and they are expected to put on a constant show of that perfect family life. But while behind closed doors, there is abuse and suffering and downright ugliness in the home. A fascinating twist that allows for ‘Your children are my children’ and ‘Your country is my country’ to perfectly express how this was an awful time in American history, one motivated by nonsense really. Nonsense in the respect that Gordon has suppressed his pain and his own emotions over his childhood trauma of being ripped away from his Native American family, a practice from that era, out of the belief that Americana will heal him. Which helps to give rise to a hollow and sorrowful household. One where Gordon only knows anger and demand, and where Mabel only knows boredom and a desperate longing to feel and be more than Gordon’s sex toy. And Abigail, is merely caught in the middle and eager for her own catharsis and freedom from a family life that is meddlesome and pathetic, and filled with ugly through and through. All of which gives us… that fascinating lesson as to why ‘Make America Great Again’ is a stupid phrase. Because we weren’t great then and we have lots of work to do now. But while it is indeed fascinating to showcase why we don’t want to go backwards and why doing so would cause great harm since it would enable all the awful things, we see in these two-opening tales… there’s more to this story than a mere walk, through a lobotomized portion of our history. For Gordon is also investigating some odd extraterrestrial accounts in the area. That have resulted in missing persons and odd occurrences such as crop circles and strange lights in the nighttime sky. Which gives rise to many questions as to whether or not, Gordon and his team are onto something real or if this is nothing more than allegory for a deeper exploration regarding our xenophobic fears as a society or if its cover to rob more families of their children. Time will tell of course, but while we wait to see what the deeper meaning is, we can revel in some brilliant opening chapters. Ones that truly immersed us in a time and a vibe composed of pure and utter lies, and reminded us how Americana’s death truly benefitted all since it did lead to progress. Not enough mind you, but progress, nevertheless. All of which compels one to continue this fascinating journey. To see what other nightmares await the Rogers family within the walls of their own home and beyond, as they continue to be subjected to ideals and concepts that were out of date when put in place. Courtesy of a society that was desperate to impart peace instead of building it in a lasting manner. Until next time. Watch ‘The Green Veil’ on The Network.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
September 2024
|