Before Insatiable even landed on Netflix, the show was met with backlash. The controversial trailer showed Debby Ryan in a ridiculous fat suit as Patty Bladell, a character who was bullied for her weight. Despite her insistence that her new body has not solved her problems, when Patty Bladell loses the weight, she becomes a pageant queen with a hot boyfriend and a line of suitors.

It’s obvious from the first episode of season two that the writers have used the new part of Patty’s story to try and make amends for the offense they caused with season one. The most significant way they do this is by delving into Patty’s binging problem. It’s no longer treated as a joke, but it’s recognized as an eating disorder that Patty is encouraged to seek help for.

Of course, Patty’s trips to Overeaters Anonymous are somewhat clouded by her new killing habit. As the bodies pile up, Insatiable moves away from pageantry and into a bizarre satire of highschool drama. Patty’s tribute to her deceased pageant “sister” is a song featuring the lyrics “Dead girl, you make me so sad. Your life was so rad but now it’s over.” It’s a cringe-worthy moment, but it fails to be funny on account of the audience’s reaction being so unrealistic. The song immediately goes viral and Patty is crowned queen. Even as satire, scenes like this ultimately just don’t hold together.

On the other side of the spectrum, Insatiable seems to use other scenes to make an almost obnoxious declaration that the show is not problematic. Magnolia’s storyline, for example, very briefly illustrates her struggle to identify with a group due to being mixed race. Her confession sheds light on real, important issues and yet these moments seem misplaced in a series which is otherwise so ridiculous.

It’s ultimately unclear why Insatiable is ranked as a Top 10 Netflix original and why so many great shows have been canceled while the controversial fat-shaming series got another season. Nonetheless, there is clearly something entertaining about Patty’s story as so many people are watching it – “ironically” or otherwise. What can be said for season two is that even if it misses the beat a little too often, it is less problematic and explores topical social issues from new angles. Whether this justifies season two’s existence is at your discretion.

2/5

The post “Insatiable” Season 2 Review: Marginally Better Than the First appeared first on Entertainment For Us.

The show’s leading lady Patty (Debby Ryan) loses 70 lbs after a homeless guy breaks her jaw in retaliation of her punching him for calling her fat. Bob (Dallas Roberts) takes on her case and then decides he has bigger plans for her… beauty pageants.

Things already begin to get problematic at this point. In episode 2, Bob teaches Patty that “skinny is magic” and she uses her new body to seduce men into getting what she wants and getting revenge on those who called her fat. It’s great watching Patty grow in confidence but uncomfortable how her confidence is completely skin deep and she gets even more self-involved as the series progresses. The message seems to be “don’t eat for a few months and you can have it all!”

Pretty much all the characters in the show are unlikable in one way or another. The most redeemable character is Patty’s best friend Nonny (Kimmie Shields) who goes through a journey throughout the series both learning and coming to terms with her sexuality. There are some tender moments and in general, the show treats Nonny’s coming out with respect. Then again, there is plenty of homophobia from the other characters throughout and even though it’s meant to be satire, it’s not nice to watch.

The show not only fails to be inspiring or empowering, it just isn’t funny. There’s a whole scene set up at Bob’s anal cancer fundraiser which makes a joke out of the fact the word ‘anal’ is allegedly hilarious. It’s also just not fun watching Patty act out and ‘get revenge’ on her classmates. In fact, she is more annoying than funny and watching it you find yourself hating her more than empathizing her. As far as I’m concerned, that means the series failed to share a message of self-acceptance and body love.

Admittedly, the show is a dark comedy and if you can take the brutal satire with a huge pinch of salt, you might enjoy it. There are plenty of twists and turns and things get much darker than expected. Still, I’m not sure what the show was trying to achieve because we ended up despising ‘Fatty Patty’ rather than empathizing with her.

Overall, we understand why the series splatted at 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. The series is quite frankly a disaster and is not only insensitive but uncreative and unfunny too.

The post Netflix’s “Insatiable”: We Suggest You Skip it appeared first on Entertainment For Us.

Before Insatiable even landed on Netflix, the show was met with backlash. The controversial trailer showed Debby Ryan in a ridiculous fat suit as Patty Bladell, a character who was bullied for her weight. Despite her insistence that her new body has not solved her problems, when Patty Bladell loses the weight, she becomes a pageant queen with a hot boyfriend and a line of suitors.

It’s obvious from the first episode of season two that the writers have used the new part of Patty’s story to try and make amends for the offense they caused with season one. The most significant way they do this is by delving into Patty’s binging problem. It’s no longer treated as a joke, but it’s recognized as an eating disorder that Patty is encouraged to seek help for.

Of course, Patty’s trips to Overeaters Anonymous are somewhat clouded by her new killing habit. As the bodies pile up, Insatiable moves away from pageantry and into a bizarre satire of highschool drama. Patty’s tribute to her deceased pageant “sister” is a song featuring the lyrics “Dead girl, you make me so sad. Your life was so rad but now it’s over.” It’s a cringe-worthy moment, but it fails to be funny on account of the audience’s reaction being so unrealistic. The song immediately goes viral and Patty is crowned queen. Even as satire, scenes like this ultimately just don’t hold together.

On the other side of the spectrum, Insatiable seems to use other scenes to make an almost obnoxious declaration that the show is not problematic. Magnolia’s storyline, for example, very briefly illustrates her struggle to identify with a group due to being mixed race. Her confession sheds light on real, important issues and yet these moments seem misplaced in a series which is otherwise so ridiculous.

It’s ultimately unclear why Insatiable is ranked as a Top 10 Netflix original and why so many great shows have been canceled while the controversial fat-shaming series got another season. Nonetheless, there is clearly something entertaining about Patty’s story as so many people are watching it – “ironically” or otherwise. What can be said for season two is that even if it misses the beat a little too often, it is less problematic and explores topical social issues from new angles. Whether this justifies season two’s existence is at your discretion.

2/5

The post “Insatiable” Season 2 Review: Marginally Better Than the First appeared first on Entertainment For Us.

The show’s leading lady Patty (Debby Ryan) loses 70 lbs after a homeless guy breaks her jaw in retaliation of her punching him for calling her fat. Bob (Dallas Roberts) takes on her case and then decides he has bigger plans for her… beauty pageants.

Things already begin to get problematic at this point. In episode 2, Bob teaches Patty that “skinny is magic” and she uses her new body to seduce men into getting what she wants and getting revenge on those who called her fat. It’s great watching Patty grow in confidence but uncomfortable how her confidence is completely skin deep and she gets even more self-involved as the series progresses. The message seems to be “don’t eat for a few months and you can have it all!”

Pretty much all the characters in the show are unlikable in one way or another. The most redeemable character is Patty’s best friend Nonny (Kimmie Shields) who goes through a journey throughout the series both learning and coming to terms with her sexuality. There are some tender moments and in general, the show treats Nonny’s coming out with respect. Then again, there is plenty of homophobia from the other characters throughout and even though it’s meant to be satire, it’s not nice to watch.

The show not only fails to be inspiring or empowering, it just isn’t funny. There’s a whole scene set up at Bob’s anal cancer fundraiser which makes a joke out of the fact the word ‘anal’ is allegedly hilarious. It’s also just not fun watching Patty act out and ‘get revenge’ on her classmates. In fact, she is more annoying than funny and watching it you find yourself hating her more than empathizing her. As far as I’m concerned, that means the series failed to share a message of self-acceptance and body love.

Admittedly, the show is a dark comedy and if you can take the brutal satire with a huge pinch of salt, you might enjoy it. There are plenty of twists and turns and things get much darker than expected. Still, I’m not sure what the show was trying to achieve because we ended up despising ‘Fatty Patty’ rather than empathizing with her.

Overall, we understand why the series splatted at 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. The series is quite frankly a disaster and is not only insensitive but uncreative and unfunny too.

The post Netflix’s “Insatiable”: We Suggest You Skip it appeared first on Entertainment For Us.