At some point, I want to go more in-depth with my thoughts on this first episode. For now, I'll say that I've seen it described as "too weird". I don't think that's a bad thing. In fact, The Way episode 1 is one of the most startling, affecting and interesting pieces of television I've seen in a long, long time. There's a strange dream-like quality to the scenes and it's one of the first shows in ages that's given me something to chew on and analyse.
There's a criticism that's come out in the reviews that it's "political" and "preachy". Again, I don't think that's a bad thing. It's theatrical and cinematic at the same time, carrying a political message about class structure, being left behind, feeling socially alienated and the loss of hope. When they say political, they mean "critical of institutions and inequality".
I want to watch the rest of the episodes so I can see it as a whole piece but, so far, I'm enthralled. Basically, for anyone saying The Way is too weird or alienating or "political", well:
What goddamn time is it in the goddamn UK, I have a burger and fries ready to go and the BBC says that Doctor Who should have started at 6:30, 8:30 where I am, but it's now 8:50 and there are still 3 contestants left on the Weakest Link. I have a burger and fries all ready to go, they are about to become inedible, god fucking, damn it
B being insecure about his supposedly fat thighs, saying he has his mom's thighs (implying they're "too womanly" for a guy). Being asked to pick apart women's looks and revealing his beauty standards for women... aka he's a total sweetheart who likes nice people, notices/likes faces mostly, especially eyes. Smiles too. (Even the lips and legs of female celebs he goes sure to were pointed out to him by others, interviewer and his mom respectively.) Can't help bringing up his own pillowy lips too 😍
One of the things I noticed while watching The Way is that the BBC content warnings left a little to be desired (scenes of a sexual nature and upsetting scenes). There wasn't anything on Does the Dog Die last I checked either. During a group watch, I pulled together some content warnings for folks. If you're interested in watching The Way (which I definitely recommend), but want an idea of what may come up, I've put CWs for each episode below. Obviously, spoilers as well.
Episode 1: self-immolation, accidental death, mental health issues/episode, divorce, misuse of prescription medication, drug-dealing, depression/anxiety, dysfunctional family relationships, suicide (act not graphically depicted, but discussion of and brief visual of deceased person), police violence (including real footage of police violence against striking workers), mob violence, xenophobia, racism, sex (no genitalia shown), guns/weaponry, gun violence/shootings (heard not seen), blood/injuries
Episode 2: Submersion in water/drowning, brief scene of self-immolation, brief scenes of protest suppression, dysfunctional family relationships, detainment camps, surveillance state, medication withdrawal, mistreatment of detained people, use of pepper spray, home hospice care, hallucinations, child endangerment, generational trauma, drug addiction, people escaping concealed in lorries, drug dealing, brief scenes of suicide aftermath, abandonment of family (unintentional and intentional), alcohol consumption, use of a stun gun, threat of gun violence, xenophobia, violence/injury to detained people, forceful separation of children from families, sleeping rough, arrest, family drama relating to paternity
Episode 3: alcohol, discussion about food, xenophobia, lockdowns, physical intimacy, swinging scene, jump scare, dysfunctional family relationships, brief visuals of suicide aftermath and impact on family, generational trauma, submersion in water, hallucinations, discussion of trafficking and border control, violence, injury/blood, surveillance state, brief scenes of protest violence, collaboration, police profiling/AI profiling, mention of civil war, traumatic boat crossing, separation of family, suicide, implied drowning, discovery of drowning victim, major character death, threat of gun violence, migrant pushbacks