I May Destroy You

I watched the whole show today, so my review is about the entire show in general.

The positives:

• Michaela Coel as the leading actor does a really great job. Also big props for writing and producing the show as well.
• There are several different intertwining story lines with different and well- constructed supporting characters.
• The whole cast are actually all pretty good, and I think it's refreshing and important how diverse the cast is.. I'm so used to white washed casts that this show felt unique in terms of representation. The more positive representation the better in my opinion.

The negatives:

• I feel like although I found the show interesting and liked how it focused on different characters and different issues, I found the plot a bit thin or even neglected. Such as the most central story line of the show, focusing around sexual assault, sort of fading into the background. I just found the plot a bit wavering at times.
• I also don't think I saw much character progression from any of the main characters. I was expecting them to sort of go through a change and come out the other side, but I don't really think any of them came out much better than they were at the start? It kind of just felt a bit anti-climactic.
• I think the show suffered from showcasing too many story lines, social issues and politics. I really like a show that isn't afraid to be honest and political, however I thought that there was quite a lot going on, when maybe It would've been more effective if Cole had just focused on a smaller amount of issues but with more depth. I don't know, it's just how I'm feeling..

Good show though- I mean clearly, I watched the whole thing in a day!

Just Finnished watching the first two episodes and they have completely drawn me in. I love the awareness that this series is raising plus the contagious ways off the leading actress. She is the perfect role for this character and I'm so glad to see her pop up on my screens again I've been waiting since chewing gum !

I May Destroy You is not for your average viewer. It is uncomfortable, disturbing, sometimes gross. But isn't that part of life-the good, the bad, AND the ugly?

I've seen many foreign movies that are graphic, gratuitous, and grotesque, so watching this fast paced drama series (with darkly humorous moments) was not shocking or offensive.

Some reviewers are saying cruel things about the characters, or blowing them off as unlikable. I challenge the viewer to see these as real human beings-immature, reckless and careless. Haven't we all been there on some level? And aren't we ALL worth saving? Aren't we all worthy of empathy and love, even when-no, especially when-we're at our worst?

If you take that into consideration and go in with an open mind, you will find that this show is a master class in writing. The pacing moves at lightning speed. The plot is razor sharp focused. The themes are strong and relevant. The characters experience trauma and grow and evolve over the episodes. Especially the main character, Arabella.

Without spoiling it, by the final episode (which is SO cleverly meta in terms of writing about writing), she is able to come to terms with her trauma in one of the best final episodes I've seen in a dramedy show. It's sheer perfection: fully resolves everything, funny, violent, shocking, thought provoking and smartly written and executed. It would be perfect if this was all there was. Not sure how a second season would fare or what it would focus on.

One last and very important thing: Americans need to watch this with subtitles! I had no clue what they were saying in the first three minutes. Once the subtitles were on, it was smooth sailing.

I don't know when I have seen a show that depicted real life so accurately.

Some people on here are twisting this to "hopping on trends". Discussions about abuse and assault can never be considered as such and is insensitive. The topic is heavy, gritty and each person will have a unique reaction to the stories. This is Michaela Coels' take on it, thorough her lens. She's brilliant and I enjoy the fact that she's not focused on making the characters "likeable." Being likeable or not is irrelevant.

Well acted, well produced drama. Worth the hype