UnReal returns with racism and relationships taking centre stage in reality TV land
|||UnREAL is pure genius. Unlike most TV shows that are borrowed from novels, this exciting Lifetime series was inspired by Sarah Gertrude Shapiro’s short film, Sequin Raze.
Given the reality TV phenomenon, it manipulates that environment with a cleverly scripted narrative. The show takes place on the set of Everlasting, a long-running reality dating show a la The Bachelor. And it is supported by a tour de force cast, helmed by Shiri Appleby (Rachel Goldberg), Constance Zimmer (Quinn King) and Craig Bierko (Chet Wilton).
When it comes to making a compelling TV series, Rachel and Quinn are puppetmaster’s par excellence. They are architects of manipulation. Any emotional and psychological failings of the contestants are exploited to the fullest. Of course, race wars are also gold for ratings.
In fact, when they arrive on set those pesky morals that come with being a decent human being are left at the door.
Season two started with a quick recap of a brilliant ending to the first one. Let’s just say it was all about girl power for Rachel, the supervising producer to Quinn, who was the executive producer. Their personal lives were messy. Rachel, after her monumental meltdown, hooked up with her ex-boyfriend Jeremy, while also jumping into bed with the show’s suitor, Adam. Meanwhile, Quinn realised that Chet was an unredeemable mess (apart from being an overweight slob) with his sex and drug addictions.
In the end, both women got to usurp Chet and take full control of Everlasting.
Rachel and Quinn’s objectives are clear when they get tattoos saying: “Money, d*ck, power.”
Quinn adds: “In that order.”
It’s evident that these two are forces to be reckoned with in the first episode.
Quinn tells Rachel: “Stop acting like you aren’t happy as a pig in sh*t right now.”
They are living the Hollywood dream: partying with the network’s top dogs and driven by having a seven-figure production.
When they unveil the new suitor – the show’s first African-American – Darius Beck (BJ Britt) – one of the network heads comments: “Are you serious? You just made my d**k hard.”
Quinn’s ability to sell ice to an Eskimo works to their advantage. Especially with the female candidates she has lined up. She ensures they have everything from a queen b***h villain, a terrorist (someone of the Islamic faith), a blacktivist (translated: black activist) and so on.
Of course, while she comes up with this, it’s up to Rachel to cast them.
With Quinn now taking a back seat while her protégé Rachel slips into her shoes, calling the shots on set as the show runner, she steps in when she has to.
The arrival of a trim and healthy looking Chet, who has now “shed his sadness and p***dom”, triggers Quinn’s competitive streak.
The conflict is immediately apparent when he arrives, saying: “This show is my kingdom and purpose, so I’m taking it back.”
When he hijacks her quarterback celebrity suitor, the claws come out.
Meanwhile, Rachel is battling with her venomous ex on the set. He takes every moment to take pot-shots are her.
Quinn advises: “Suck it up Goldberg. If we fired everyone we had sex with, we wouldn’t have a crew.”
But Rachel eventually shows Jeremy who is boss when she cautions him, saying: “Being a sexist man-baby on my set has consequences.”
The writing this season is explosive. And the writers have upped the ante with the twists and drama (both off and on screen).
What’s admirable is the way the polarised morals surface in the storyline. It maintains the show’s edginess with a barrage of unconscionable decisions being made.
Of course, at the end of the day, nothing gets in the way of great TV.
As Quinn eloquently puts it: “We don’t solve problems, we create them and then point cameras towards them.”
And who doesn’t want to see Quinn and Chet go head-to-head?
You know that it’s going to be a roller-coaster ride when he says: “I’m taking back my kingdom; may the best man win.” And she responds with: “She always does!”
The battle lines have been drawn and it going to be UnREAL!
UnREAL airs on Lifetime (DStv channel 131) on Thursdays at 8pm.