the Greatest Narcissists in TV History (The Curse)

[@tylociraptor8131]

The shot where a bird flies into the house, killing itself, and it's shown that this is not the first time that's happened, and instead of doing something about the reflective nature of the house (her ART) Whitney just has someone else come and remove the bird's corpse... It really shows you a lot about her. She doesn't care about the environment or the community- she cares about LOOKING like she cares about these things. Being SEEN as a good person, not actually BEING a good person.

[@allielushan1971]

"I don't always want to spend my time watching three sociopaths...but I could watch these three forever." SAME

[@JamisonPomeroy]

Good analysis. I don’t think Asher has OCD though. Someone with OCD performs repetitive compulsions to try and ease painful thoughts on loop in their mind. Asher does not do this in the show. He is awkward, he lacks social skills, he struggles to connect with anyone, and he refuses to be honest with himself about Whitney.

[@tvre0]

idk if theyre the best characters ever but great video essay. they are extremely well written though. lying to themselves and distorted reflections are really important themes, yeah. the mirror thing is something ive thought about and the way you pointed it out was great. its the first show depicting bad modern social media culture ifyk what i mean in such a sad and uncomfortable way. its amazing

[@Saigeee333]

Whitney & Asher’s relationship in this is uncannily similar to that of Shiv & Tom in HBO’s Succession. It makes it even more uncanny when you realize how similar Whitney looks to Shiv in season 1 (when Shiv had long hair).

[@freshfrozen1712]

Never thought of the comparison but you're right, soo much self-delusion in both

[@BrandonRealLilB]

In my opinion one of the major conflicts between Asher and Whitney is that he CAN'T see that she is actually very fake. She wants him to know it is all an act, she doesn't want him to do things like give away the house, she only wants to pretend to be that kind of person and he doesn't see that. So she curses him.

[@aWomanFreed]

I think he definitely sees her, he just knows how she needs/wants to be seen and never breaks character

[@MegaBecks1981]

@@aWomanFreedagreed

[@freshfrozen1712]

That's interesting, I think Asher definitely spent most of the time lying to himself about who Whitney is but I think part of him always knew

[@Me-sb2xp]

​@@aWomanFreedTrue. Remember the scene where she made fun of him for worrying about Fernando's mom and mocked him with a baby voice. His face in the scene is one of horrified realization and shock

[@sc077vv]

"he CAN'T see that she is actually very fake." Nailed it.

[@i0kiVids]

I clicked this video because I'm obsessed with discussion surrounding The Curse, absolutely amazing show. But seriously you gave a great commentary that made me see some of the plotlines + themes in a new light, so excellent job!

[@waynecristaudo7220]

I think the only people who use language like ‘save the planet’ are narcissists. But a generation of narcissists has been cultivated by a class of narcissists- now that is a curse

[@adamsteinken1185]

This season is up there with Breaking Bad, True detective (season 1), Barry and Bloodline for me. A top 5 Tv drama for sure, even though it doesnt feel like a tv show at all.

[@Dd94949]

I havent actually watched this show yet but i watched a commentary that was interesting. Closet narcissists are people who want to be special but lack the actual skill so they cling to a narcissist to bask in their glow. However, if they lose that relationship they essentially disappear because their identity is bound up in the narcissist. I think thats probably what the ending is about. The guy disappears because he has no identity without her. In essence, he's a sidekick. He would never have the gall to do what she does, but he is complicit because he also needs what she needs - to feel special - to not feel invisible (which is how narcissts felt as children).

[@evanevans5428]

My boss that fired me the day before Christmas Eve is Whitney 100%. They talk and act the same way.

[@freshfrozen1712]

What a nightmare boss

[@PuppetsByPalmieri]

Interesting to call Asher a man child. I never conceived of him that way. But it’s an interesting analysis.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

The Curse was a terrific show depicting various profoundly cringey relationships in stark realism. It was like driving past a road wreck, where you just can’t look, but also can’t look away. Parts of it were quite uncomfortable, and other parts were funny, but overall, I’d say it was a tragedy. You do a good job in this review elucidating the details of these profoundly damaged characters. It was truly an unique TV viewing experience; and though I can guess it’s probably not for everyone, there is a banquet of ‘food for thought’ laid out for your epicurean pleasure in The Curse. Do we think there will be a Season Two? Will it involve the same characters, or an entirely new cringey crew? What do you think?

[@freshfrozen1712]

I wouldn't guess there'll be a season 2, just a feeling. I kinda hope they leave it where it is

[@bizmo2789]

What I loved about this show was the father of the little girls is the pirate from captain Philips, what’s funny about that is Nathan had a joke about him in Nathan for you about how he lost all his money or something, it came full circle

[@fourdonutproductions]

This is great, out of all the videos I’ve watched, this is the best explanation for the show I’ve seen. Also a cool theory is how Dougie said “fly” and slapped the dashboard right before he cursed Asher which may have led to him “flying”

[@freshfrozen1712]

Didn't notice that before actually

[@cactrot83]

I think this is one of the more insightful takes I've seen about these characters and this show. Great job.

[@Gupi_777]

If you analyze most characters in the show you will find that most of them were unlikeable narcissists with mostly "negative" qualities. I think that one of the show's message was that it is normal for human altruism, at small or large scale, to be driven by self-interest only ( in other words, most humans could be considered bad people in the traditional "human-construct-sense"). In fact, Asher was one of the nicest characters in the show; hence why I felt that his ending was sad. Great TV show and great analysis!

[@freshfrozen1712]

I felt reallt sad for Asher by the end too :(

[@cochisenahuh7939]

Really great run down of a great if not one of the greatest tv shows of all time. Thanks.

[@micah4242]

For hyper-realism, I’ll take John Cassavetes movies. The characters are morally complex, naturalistic, but interesting and enjoyable to spend time with. I don’t think the message that corporate individualism produces phony altruists is profound enough to compensate for the distasteful experience of watching these characters.

[@freshfrozen1712]

They're definitely distasteful 😂 I think I'd define the "message" of the show as a lot more complex but I get what you mean

[@BullyMaguire4ever]

I feel bad for Asher 100%

[@manbearpiggins]

excellent analysis

[@kittycattt93]

This show was physically PAINFUL to get through at points. The 2nd hand embarrassment had me pausing and taking a lap constantly 😂😂

[@tonyamcintyre4400]

The way this movie was, had levels not to my understanding. Don’t get it!

[@brianstorm5488]

Great narcissists, but greatest ever? I seem to recall a batshit president who got a lot of TV coverage…

[@rachels.8051]

The malignant narcissists are wayyyy scarier than the communal narcissists.

[@dmauro100]

Boooooo

[@cinemaghost3149]

Put a spoilers warning out bro literally everyones talking about this show rn

[@Lorncat]

Wow excellent review.

[@Lorncat]

Keep this up you’re gonna be huge!! Subscribed

[@kenairockband]

Dumbest show ever. Horrible writing, subpar acting, slow and boring

[@cochisenahuh7939]

We do not care. Go watch The Rehearsal.

[@joaquinbaume1291]

i think you are dumb for not getting it

[@kenairockband]

@@cochisenahuh7939 it couldn’t be any worse than the pile of crap that was The curse.

[@cochisenahuh7939]

@@kenairockband bet

[@tylociraptor8131]

Go watch the Kardashians then, probably more your level.