Already there is so much controversy on whether Netflix's new series, Insatiable, is a good or bad show. I can't say I have first hand experience of its premise - a fat teenage girl protagonist, Paddy Bladel (Debby Ryan) who drastically loses weight and becomes attractive enough to enter pageant shows. However, I can relate to Debby Ryan's emotional performance. The fear of gaining weight, the need to show self-worth, and finding forgiveness are the few of many statements that they make through satirical, dark comedy.
The show is ironic of how a recently slim from fat girl makes her way to the pageant stage, with a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mentality for a comeback. This among other stereotypes (gay best friend, single struggling mom, stalker boyfriend etc.) are embraced and then challenged... or ridiculed because it is a satire after all. To view this show through a realistic lens, Patty presents an example of the more educated and non-superficial contestants. She didn't actively enter a routine to reach that metaphorical or physical stage. She also didn't seek to diet to enter he modelling industry. This occurrence was stumbled upon by chance or was 'destiny' as mentioned many times in voiceovers, and through her own crisis.
We need to remember that this show is a dark comedy, so the extremes, exaggerations and satire are deliberate for the audience's entertainment. Then again, could those situations really happen? I'm sure you came across instances that you didn't think could happen to you. Yes, the encounter of a homeless man fat-shaming Patty leading to her physical aggression is extreme, but she simply had enough of being bullied. Also, he knocked her out and decided to sue so I feel that comments on the hypocrisies in life. Criticisms appear to surround this inciting incident, but I think it plays into the dark comedy effectively. The plot then fast-forwards to know Patty's jaw was broken as a result, she was unable to eat et viola - she is now skinny & beautiful in a matter of months! Definitely a stretch. However, life works in weird and wonderful ways. The inciting incident reveals itself as a mere example of mishaps we fall into.
On the whole, reviews shouldn't deter you from watching Insatiable. In fact, it should challenge you to watch and to form your own judgement. You will definitely read into it and react very differently. The show got a few laughs out of me. I sometimes thought 'how ridiculous' or 'how awkward'. I believe that the encounters with the strong-headed Patty allowed comedic situations to occur, along with the people in her life who try (and usually fail) to help her out.
Just give it a watch! You might be surprised.
