Recently, an American drama called "Generation V" has quickly attracted attention, not only Douban as high as 8.8 points, IMDb 8 points, Rotten Tomatoes freshness of 97%, but also set off a ratings boom on Amazon, directly renewed the second season. As a derivative of "Black Robe Picket", this drama is not only inferior in scale, but also quite superior in quality.
However, the biggest highlight of this film is not in the "naked", but in its seemingly "politically correct" surface packaging, which ridicules and satirizes "dad rights".
"Superhero medicine" gives birth to super-powered teenagers
Generation V is set in a familiar "superhero universe" - just like in "Black Robe Picket", there are also "superhero drugs" that allow people to obtain superpowers.
The protagonist, Mary, is a young girl living in a "superpower orphanage", and her superpower is to control blood. The plot begins when she enters the super-British university "Godokin University" at the age of 18.
In this university, there are many teenagers who have been injected with "superhero drugs", and they each have different superpowers. For example, the golden boy, a top student in the school and one of the members of the "Super Seven", will be on fire all over his body; Mary's roommate, Little Cricket, can make her body bigger and smaller; Kate, who has strong psychological manipulation skills, can control the memories and behaviors of others.
On the surface, the university is training a new generation of "superheroes", but in fact, students care more about how to become famous through their superpowers, please their parents, and climb to the top in school. Their superpowers have become "cash cows" that are used by parents and schools to create gimmicks to make money.
Irony under the cloak of political correctness
However, "Generation V" does not stop at the lively campus life, but gradually reveals the pain and pain in the hearts of these seemingly "perfect" superheroes in the narrative.
For example, the Golden Boy was not happy after qualifying for the "Super Seven", and even said to Mary, who wanted to be a hero, that if she really wanted to be a hero, she must fight for herself.
This seems to warn the audience not to be fooled by the superficial aura of "hero", which often hides various purposes.
Another example is Mary's blood control instinctively leading to the death of both parents, which has become a shadow in her heart; The body size control of the little cricket needs to be controlled by inducing vomiting, which exposes the mother's harshness to her; The gender-fluid Jordan is not recognized by his parents for his gender identity, and can only superficially comply ...
It can be seen that these so-called "superpowers" all stem from their inner trauma or pain, and are dissatisfied with the real dilemma.
As a result, "Generation V" not only maintains the cruel war of "Black Robe", but also increases the meaning of vigilance to the current society. Under the surface of seemingly politically correctness, it satirizes the ugly power and money trading behind the "super-hero" industry, and also exposes the various harms caused by the patriarchal society to the younger generation.
The resistance of the Forces nouvelles to the "patriarchal right"
If "Black Robe" stays in a pessimistic way to expose the dark side of the super-British industry, "Generation V" goes a step further, bringing a glimmer of hope through the revolt of new forces against "daddy".
For example, Adam, who worshipped his superheroic father at the beginning, later found out that his father was involved in the school conspiracy, and in anger, he smashed his father's statue, symbolizing a rebellion against "paternal power".
For example, Mary did not give up her investigation of the truth in the face of being ordered to withdraw from school, even if she was drugged by her classmates and wanted to violate her, she could save the day, showing her courage and persistence in the face of injustice.
It can be said that "Generation V" has a more positive and enterprising attitude than "Black Robe". It not only stops at revealing the facts, but also presents the challenge of the new forces to the traditional "power", reflecting that it is necessary to have ideals and courage in the face of the world, and cannot stop destroying everything and become discouraged.
The need for "political correctness"
Although some viewers criticized it for being too "politically correct", "Generation V" is an alternative superhero work in the current environment, and this creative idea that highlights contemporary values is also necessary.
In the era of populism, we need film and television works to warn audiences not to blindly follow and call attention to the neglected groups in society. Affirming the basic human rights of feminism, sexual minorities, and racial diversity has become the social responsibility of creators.
"Generation V" is packaged in a superhero theme, satirizing power and patriarchy, and also giving voice to these marginalized groups, behind which is the thinking about the current world. This attitude is worthy of encouragement and expectation, and it also makes people see that super-British dramas can bring deeper thinking in addition to entertainment.