What the actual f***… 😓 Therapist reacts to The Idol 1x3

[@the.truth.doctor]

We are halfway through with this series! 😳 Where do you think it will go from here? I'm really curious about your thoughts on this episode. Please see the description for resources on child and domestic partner abuse. ❤ If there is something missing from this episode that you'd like me to comment on let me know and I'll try and answer it in the comments or in next week's video. Thank you for being here! 👇

[@lesliebarrera5181]

These are great explanations! I’m currently going into my masters program and I love hearing your explanations, because they dive super deep into the psychological background of what’s going on in the show.

[@valiant_selene]

At this point I don't think it's going anywhere. It's not providing anything worth watching. This recent episode is messed up and overwhelming to watch. I feel bad for Jocelyn, I hope she realizes she needs to get rid of Tedros and also she needs to get rid of Xander. He is suppose to be a part of her team. He seems like he truly doesn't like his work and working with her . The fact that he doesn't understand her vision shows they are not on the same page.

[@themathgirl1331]

This episode made me seriously angry. Tedros infuriates me istg. They sacrificed the plot for the shmex scene, but what's new they do this almost every episode. If they wanted to show the horrible stuff that goes down in Hollywood they could have gone about it differently... The way they portray the events comes off as unserious and trashy rather than commentary on the immoral nature of the industry. I am convinced that this show was written to shock audiences rather than provide actual commentary. As for how this show would progress, I have no doubt in my mind that everything will just get worse

[@9000ck]

Not only is every main character unrelatable, every main character is unlikable, charmless and unempathetic to the other characters. It actually makes the show kind of a psychological horror but in a completely uncompelling way.

[@badgalpandamanda]

There will be no season 2 thank god 😂

[@brains4rocks]

"i want more plot.. and less oral" honestly might be the best way to describe how everyone's feeling about this show

[@dcandleonna]

the amount of sex scenes are just too much for no good reason. like im not a prude but it's just so gross at this point, they dont feel sexy at all 😂

[@its_eph]

👏🏼

[@Rayne1bow]

It’s so sad because this show has sooo much potential to be good, and Lily is a genuinely good actor.

[@hashaintswan]

Not blackpink stans or Russian younger. They really think this trash is good.

[@Aomame_love]

@@Rayne1bowI feel sorry for her

[@SomeSong2]

The way Tedros kept pressing her on why something was humiliating to her made my skin crawl.

[@waldoododo]

me toooooo, she was so uncomfortable and clearly didn't wanna talk about it. my issue with this show is abel's acting tho and i can justify it. if in this specific scene it was nate jacobs speaking instead of tedros, i would've hated his guts so hard and want to slam the screen. why? because jacob elordi is a great actor and portrays him perfectly. he makes you feel hatred of his character. that doesn't happen with abel, his portrayal of tedros is so fucking empty, like i could see myself telling him to fuck off because i see what he's doing is wrong, but it wouldn't be with so much emotion because he doesn't serve me with his acting.

[@retrogaming2899]

@@waldoododoright and people keep making excuses saying he’s supposed to be a bad character but bad characters can be prorated well like another example is Bryce walker hated him hated his guts felt disturbed by scenes he was in but that is because his actor played him so good

[@waldoododo]

@@retrogaming2899 this is a great example of how even 13 REASONS WHY, the most problematic show netflix has ever done and is close to being worse than the idol, had better acting💀💀💀

[@waldoododo]

@@spideronawhiteflag LMFAOOOO I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN SHE WAS PART OF 13 REASONS WHY 😭😭😭 that "souvenir" ain't looking good on u girl

[@kanyenism7528]

@@waldoododoif it was Nate jacobs tho u know people would have been like “oh I wish I was that girl” in some toxic fucked up kinda way. I feel like this is almost a lesson from the mistakes of euphoria don’t give this dude no rizz lol don’t make him likeable like that.

[@waldoododo]

you know it's bad when even a DOCTOR said the f word because of this show

[@Cbatcat]

How fucking old are you?

[@thisguy7976]

Lol. What? Are DOCTORS not allowed to curse?

[@chuuchuutrainn]

yes because the “joke” they made referenced fucking Epstein?? literal s3x offender.. disgusting

[@chakra_gal]

​@@thisguy7976Its not that, it's just you expect them to put up a professional front but the episode was so bad it made her break that act.

[@thisguy7976]

@@chakra_gal Ok.

[@Shay416]

“The best type of healing is healing that doesn’t take away anything more of what you’ve lost” thats a bar!

[@dysmissme7343]

Ooh

[@Theoneandonly._.]

I don't understand, is it ok if you explain me?

[@La-PetitMort]

@@Theoneandonly._. Seconding this

[@angelinaveneziano5303]

The men that took control of this show from a female director really morphed a story that could be so powerful into something so icky.

[@melifilip]

The fact that the weeknd claimed it was too female centred and then just turned it into him hitting a woman with a hair brush and abusing her in numerous ways should be the biggest red flag. This is no longer a fair and proper commentary on hollywood exploitation. It feels romanticised and dragged out, filled with uneccessary sex scenes. Huge potential, massively disappointing in the end.

[@lindseystein9676]

We don’t know if he actually said that. I don’t think it’s a good idea to believe tabloid articles without some kind of proof

[@angelikabatwoman]

​@@lindseystein9676but we still know that he or his team kicked the female writer and changed the story. Still a red flag.

[@user-xv1cs9mm9d]

Majority of men are so disgusting its exhausting 😮‍💨

[@samf.s.7731]

"But you should move over because we know what we are doing"... not sure they're aware they don't.

[@ARainbowLlama]

As someone who experienced child abuse and is still living with those abusers...the hairbrush scenes are deeply disturbing.

[@ANabiha]

they're not sorry for anything they're doing so i'm gonna apologize for the fact that they never warned us about it

[@genericchannel126]

Ikr it was so triggering to me And they were fetishising it!!!! 😒😒

[@kellygoodman6167]

I got away from my abusers two years ago , I know you will be free of them soon

[@lennyanyn]

I'm so sorry, hoping you can be free soon!!

[@cameopearls]

Same! Especially being the scapegoat of a narcassistic family.

[@LabiLabi777]

Parental abuse is no joke. The way these jokers treated this as a "kink" not only sickens me but is so disappointing. Who green lit this😔

[@longstrangetrip1992]

HBO 😭

[@steamyvegetables1445]

Dude someone kinda tried to do that to me. That scene really icked me bc that person knowed I was going through stuff and was knew I was parentally abused but asked me if l was into rough s*x. 🤮🤮🤮🤢

[@Zathena]

When something similar happened to me it made me disassociate and regress to the point I couldn't talk but could only babble let's just say I ran away from that person as soon as I could. This show is so nasty it makes me want to vomit

[@carmen8958]

@@kshamwhizzle6544the weeknd was one of the original writers on the show in the first place, sam levinson (the euphoria dude) is the one who came in and changed absolutely everything

[@shilalove3631]

@@carmen8958he changes Sam made is very different from what you think it is. The cult scene was always the original, in fact there is more cult scene in the original and the show mostly just the cult. Consider so many character like Jennie/Dyanne. Jocelyn assistant and two more was added when Sam Took over.

[@ihatetheheat4524]

I will never stop spreading this word, tedros is the least intimidating person I've ever seen and that rat tail doesn't help either

[@gonzalogallego9265]

That's kinda the point. He's insecure and wants to assert his dominance in every situation he can. It's obvious to the people outside of his little cult, but they seem too fascinated by him. And that's seen in real life. Many of the most famous cult leaders are kinda weird to everyone else except their cult, like Charles Manson for example. The rat tail is just a simple way of showing that.

[@Kaastengels]

@@gonzalogallego9265 just accept that abel doesn't sell it well

[@gonzalogallego9265]

​@@Kaastengels After the "I ain't gay" scene, I think it's clear he's insecure. And I think Abel is trying to portray that. But of course if you think that his scenes are trying to be intimidating then I get why you think he couldn't pull it off. I just think you're missing the point.

[@ashtenchambliss284]

Reminds me of Keith Reniere, esp in that slapping scene w his too-short robe. Short, squat little loser w weird hair who happened to also be the NXIVM cult leader and SA'ed like 100 women I think cult leaders are often disappointingly pathetic

[@khadyadjisall5708]

@@gonzalogallego9265Abel is just not a good actor. He’s stiff, his delivery is pathetic at best, and ridiculous at times. If they wanted to portray a narcissistic cult leader, they could have/should have chosen better.

[@robin_silas]

Your commentary is the only way that I get any actual substance from this show.😅

[@lugmediaclub1645]

I mean she's only analysing the substance the show already gives.

[@lunarodriguez7590]

@@lugmediaclub1645 Nah. The show is so off putting that it fails to tell this story properly.

[@lugmediaclub1645]

@@lunarodriguez7590 If she can watch it and see substance, so can you.

[@fourth1000]

Naw ya'll are fans. People pretend to hate it, that's why they show up every episodes

[@Lanafox1020]

@@fourth1000They watch to criticize, it doesn’t mean they’re “fans”

[@moirai.a]

I don't understand people who say Lily Rose Depp can't act she fits the role so well plus all those scenes where she's in pain are well acted by her. the fault is in the writers ngl

[@EchelonPandora]

YES! Lily-Rose is so good!!

[@Crunchy_Dragon]

She has too much crap injected into her face. It's kind of sad. She's too young for that.

[@azuredystopia3751]

Really disagree- you're accepting the bare minimum from an actress playing herself with added sex scenes: so nothing special. Nepotism is a thing.

[@Angel_Auraa]

@@azuredystopia3751If you’re misogynistic just say that.

[@yeniferesparragoza9128]

​@@azuredystopia3751yeah, she surely get the character because of nepotism but she still acts well, she's literally carrying the whole show on her shoulders

[@poorvanshityagi8677]

Ugh that scene at the table when he tells her to bring the hairbrush. And that whole talk about how trauma will make you have better art and all..i mean i lost it

[@Chimslilchnl]

the hairbrush scene actually made me cry, him doing that to her is so painfull and i actually felt her pain. as a child abuse victim i could never imagine that happening to me

[@yeahthatsher]

Why do I feel like this show is lowkey about The Weeknd's relationship with Bella Hadid. She has depression, anxiety, a mom who made her feel bad about herself, has talked about being trapped in cycles of abusive relationships because didn't have boundaries, talked about being a people pleaser, and use to look at Abel like he was the center of her universe.

[@Simonecheddarblock]

I thought the same thing

[@yeahthatsher]

@@Simonecheddarblock i hope he at least talked to her about it before writing the script. This show could be very triggering if she didn't know what was coming.

[@SoggyMuffin007]

@@yeahthatsher If this is fully related to Bella then Abel is such a scary partner to have gosh thank god Bella broke free

[@danderson8431]

DUDE!!!! I hadn’t connected those dots. That makes this show SO much worse.

[@princesskiana]

Wait she talked about being in abusive relationships? I didn’t know that where did you find that out? That makes me question a lot

[@Shellovesmake]

I recently got recommended to your channel. Just one word: Wow. The way you speak, make eye contact, evaluate every detail carefully, amazing video. As a psyc graduate myself it was so nice to rewatch this episode with you. Thank you for this content! (& you are super pretty!)

[@the.truth.doctor]

Wow, thank you!

[@shateaasmr4320]

the third episode was so disturbing to me. It made me feel so frustrated and sad.. but mad at the same time? like.. idk.

[@valiant_selene]

Same, it was so much wrong going on, I don't know if I'm going to finish it. I might just because I like finishing shows to completion but this show is some bull.

[@mk52211]

Yes the topic “ abuse “ is really disturbing and the show is narrating abuse cycles on the victim which is Josleyn . If you get uncomfortable you shouldn’t be watching a show on this heavy topic

[@shilalove3631]

@@mk52211Sam show in general is very heavy when it comes to portraying Abuse or mental health. Rue Drug scene was honestly was of the most realest I’ve seen with all the shows based on drug I’ve show

[@dareshiro]

Kind of reminds me of how i felt watching Silent, petrified. Though Silent is a good korean movie, its loosely similar but based off of real events.

[@shateaasmr4320]

@@dareshiro do you mean silenced 2011? the one with gong yoo? that really was an amazing movie though. But the idol is just trash to be honest.

[@BooksRebound]

I think this show had so much potential to be good, if only the weeknd wasn't in it. This episode was really something…

[@shilalove3631]

I think the weekend is good, Especially With Sam wanting to really portray the abusive side of cult. If they had pick a Good actor like The actor he picked for Nate Jacobs. The internet would’ve romanticized the abuse in the show

[@cassandragray1747]

​@shilalove3631 ahahahaha this is such a backhanded way to call the weeknd ugly 😂

[@mylabrocks1904]

⁠@@shilalove3631when the Nate was emotionally abusing Maddie no one romanticized it, everyone hates him 😭

[@shilalove3631]

@@mylabrocks1904 Search up Nate edit, he’s Not that hated

[@shilalove3631]

@@cassandragray1747 He’s not ugly but he’s not conventionally attractive, especially they really made an effort to make him look creepy with the weird rattail hair and making him look shorter than he really is

[@nowadnah]

This show is so triggering for so many people. They really need to be more delicate about child abuse 😢

[@MszCharney]

Than don't watch it 💁‍♀️

[@lockekappa500]

I would agree that if you're worried about being triggered, then I'd probably stay away from this show, in any capacity. It's just not worth the watch.

[@kamisartor5998]

@@MszCharney I see you have the empathy of a fucking rock

[@kairubynini]

um they didn’t even show anything i feel like that’s being too sensitive it’s just a show and it’s addressing a problem with the industry

[@kphoria1009]

@@kairubyninithey showed some things, i wouldn’t say they “didn’t show anything” she was definitely physically abused

[@ILikeTheIvy]

Kudos being able to sit through this terrible show. Them making light of child abuse is bizarre and to sexualize it in such a way is ridiculous and dangerous

[@angelaholmes8888]

You are so right it makes me angry

[@mediacritique1065]

Thank GOD your commentary is here. I look forward to it every week and honestly can’t watch this show without it

[@odsleepy]

just dont watch the show tf. goofy

[@drewm6119]

As an abuse survivor, thank you so much for this. When I read about the hairbrush scene I was actually sickened. I feel like I can breath a sigh of relief knowing that someone qualified is properly unpicking why this is such an awful depiction of abuse.

[@zarine5586]

I haven't watched this... can you please explain the hairbrush scene

[@coll4455]

21:17 is exactly why this show is a problem!!!!!! It’s to delicate and to important to be shown in this way!!! Imagine if this was done through Jeannette’s perspective and done with control, care, respect and compassion? Instead of done through the perspective of men who are glorifying it.

[@lins_z2]

The last part of the commentary specially made me cry. It’s incredible how I see rat tail’s abuse pattern on my mother. But also Jocelyn’s experience. My mother always said, she hit me or she said mean and harsh stuff to me, because she wants me to change, she wants me to realize, because she cares about me. But you don’t tell someone to kill themselves or that you wish you had aborted them, if you actually care. She cared about what other people said and thought of her, not me. They always make you feel like the abuse is your fault, that you deserve it. That’s why nowadays I feel like everything bad that happens, I deserve. It’s also curious how the pattern of love bombing you and putting you up and making you feel loved and appreciated is used to then put you down and it turns on you suddenly, many times with no reason. When I am apart, when I don’t see her, when I move away, she’s the sweetest mother. But when I love back, when I’m with her for more than a day, she’s a nightmare. You wonder where that sweet person went, if it was a lie. If I imagined it. I feel this show portrays these things superficially. It kinda lacks depth in how it is displayed. At this point I’m just watching the reviews and reactions lol. Thank you for the words of wisdom in this video 🙏

[@loveternalife4271]

I'm so sorry you went through that with your mother. It wasn't right. Hope you're in a better place now.

[@apocalypse_frau]

Your anecdotes about and description of your mother sounds like you are describing mine. I’m so sorry.

[@MoonLilly92]

Have your mother ever seeked treatment?

[@alu697]

I hope you are safe now! Im so sorry.

[@Nek0sketch]

I'm sorry that happened to you. My mother was like that too but maybe she's just a typical asian mom and I overthink it. Hope you are in happier place now

[@quaithe1]

This show would be so much better if we could cut out all scenes with Abel and only have people talk about his character. Way more ominous, no bad acting.

[@Ghoulstille]

I have to wonder why Abel would want to play a character like Tedros. Also now I know why this show is the way it is being written by 3 dudes. It just screams of Edgelord.

[@kensiekennigton7408]

ABEL TESFAYE feels comfortable in these scenes..It's whom HE IS just as THE WEEKND.

[@Ghoulstille]

@@kensiekennigton7408 That sounds like a publicist response.

[@jarenfromvenus]

@@GhoulstilleGo listen to the trilogy and tell me these ain't similar men.

[@SoggyMuffin007]

Tedros reminds me of those spoiled rich kids that were raised with money but never had their parents around. They never received any affection or emotional attention from their guardians. Which will then later manifest into an extremely twisted egotistic adult with a major narcissist complex. Hence why he has this weird obsession with power and always craves control. It’s flat out terrifying.

[@cb5056]

I cried while watching this video more than I have in months. I am a survivor of child abuse by a narcissistic parent who has also been abused in a relationship. I have felt like I Jocelyn in multiple times in my life, battling more than one Tedros. I am most definitely deeply psychological damaged down below and it is so hard to keep that down at many times. This show should have never been made from Tedros' perspective but from Jocelyn's. This show could actually be really healing if it was articulated differently like you said at the end. Lily is such an amazing actress she mastered the behaviors of someone abused as a child so beautifully. I feel like I am exactly like her without the fame. Abused as a child by a narcissist parent for motivation, abused for looking a certain way, abused for smiling and being happy. Please please please if you do anything when watching this show please remember that this is actually happening to people out there. There are children tiptoeing around their own home trying to avoid being beat up as I did, it is real!

[@nataliejune84]

I couldn't agree with you more!!!

[@yulimoonshine]

Totally agree. What a ill advised decision to make from the weekend to sam making these decisions. I imagine the show we could have gotten from the original female director from a female perspective and it just makes me so sad. This show could have been groundbreaking, or at least thought provoking and interesting. But the sad thing is is that the random explicit male gazey sex scenes along with glorifying the abuse and mental/physical trauma of Lily's character in between these major ick and disturbing scenes are so lacking in substance and delving into these important topics just.....boring. It's bad and boring.

[@6Haunted-Days]

Ummmmm so don’t keep it down….wtf….sorry it’s clear you just want too wallow, whine and tell your little poor me stories…if you aren’t ACTIVELY CONSTANTLY healing and growing and working on yourself…..what do you even mean ….keep it down? Repress it? Come ON you can’t claim to know all about abuse and then act like you don’t know how to heal it…..I would know I’m very an actually horrifically abusive life and then had a malignant narcissist as a husband who ended up trying to kill me. And I’ve been healing from ALL of it the last 12yrs and will heal til I die.

[@katey624]

@@6Haunted-Daysuhm first of all wow! You really need to understand theres a place and a time for everyone’s journey…judging her by saying she’s wallowing isn’t any of your business. Maybe some people haven’t figured out how to process certain things, regardless still not a place for your judgement!

[@sakura3837]

After seeing 3 episodes of the show I wish they did not fire the old director and kept the original concept of what the show was going to be. While it is an interesting concept what the Weekend and Sam Levinson had in mind, the execution is really bad; it's not great. The original story had substance and a meaningful message about the dark side of the idol and music industry

[@Dynamatrix2000]

Actually I'd like the sex and nudity that's in the show. Too bad we don't get to see Jenny topless.

[@TheMostDivine]

i feel like if they all 3 had collaborated evenly it would be perfect. like maybe take away 1/3 of the s*x and violence scenes and replace it with a plot.

[@MoMotaroDaisuke]

​@@TheMostDivinethey wouldn't because the original director wrote it in a "too much female perspective"

[@TheHmcykbux]

the "original concept" was also sam levinson's

[@sakura3837]

​@TheHmcykbux Really? From what I heard they were going in a different direction.

[@LoSkip]

I'm so grateful that you said what you said about exposure therapy. As someone who has experienced doing just that due to a past abusive relationship, I feel like Tedros is simply choosing to continue her abuse cycle instead of rectifying it or trying to help her. He wants to be just as powerful in her life as her mother was and that's so absolutely disgusting, I can hardly stand it.

[@Klumsy206]

it’s crazy that they didn’t keep the original directors ideas because it leaned “too much into the female perspective” Lilly’s acting isn’t bad it’s just that her acting his hidden by the terrible plot. They had the right idea but the execution was terrible

[@angelaholmes8888]

You are right lily is a good actress but the writing is horrible

[@c.lineofficial]

The last part is my thoughts too. So unfortunate that it was executed in such a way when you learn that it was gonna be genuinely powerful and eye-opening.

[@frosty6240]

Love your content, started watching u after getting into therapy for depression, I learn much more about mental health while watching shows with u, keep up the work!

[@nitrogeno78]

I feel like they haven't decided what they want the show to be... Is it a drama? Is it a soft porn movie? is it a parody? Is it a story about cults? Who is the protagonist Jocelyn or Tedros? What is it focused on? Until now I see a "look how sensual I look while being abused by my environment". I feel like I'm in a parody of The Serpent with porn scenes and a very bad actor playing Charles Sobhraj.

[@kaoshi_kutie]

Great point 💯

[@MegaMilenche]

I can only add about "the protagonist" point. Show could easily have deuteragonists explored in equal measure. If the show was longer, and focused less on soft porn (keep sex in because it dose serve a narrative purpose sometimes) and focused more on psychology. Build up Tedros more and explain why he is the way he is and how him being a cult leader is another form of idolatry.

[@rileyisvibing]

“I want more plot and less oral” PLEASE IM LAUGHING SO HARD AT THAT

[@stillvivus]

love your content and the editing is so nice

[@the.truth.doctor]

Thank you so much!! ❤️

[@angefox4153]

I am a CSA survivor and when the Epstein joke was made, I had to stop hate watching this show. That situation was very traumatic and extremely disgusting to joke about

[@loveternalife4271]

I just had to subscribe after this video! Dr. Courtney, thank you so much for your commentary about how abuse is never right. It made me emotional and made me wish you were in my life. I was beaten up by my mentally ill mother regularly as a child. And it has devastated every part of my life and even my ability to mourn her death. You explaining the maladaptive ways people seek to gain control over past abuse was also groundbreaking! A light bub went off in my head as I reflected on abuse I've suffered, my mom suffered growing up, and abuse I've seen happen to children around me (but I tried to stop). Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so professional, empathic, kind and walking us through what this show should have been!

[@irlcamila]

i love how the guy at the store ate the weekend up with just one line 💀 someone tell abel to give up on acting asap

[@deppetluna871]

There is a reason why they chose someone taller than him imho... Tedros is not intimidating, just pathetic.

[@daytheone8459]

i thought his acting was good, he was acting as someone who is pretending to be a tough guy and you can hear that by how he's stumbling over his words

[@irlcamila]

@@daytheone8459 thats fine! personally i just dont buy it.. i feel like thats what he was going for, yes, but knowing what you have to do and actually executing it well are different things

[@6Haunted-Days]

@@daytheone8459that’s cuz your like 14 and a child I’m sure, sorry no adult or anyone with even a TINY amount of taste….would claim that’s good. Every single critic and anyone else DISAGREES WITH YOU

[@daytheone8459]

@@6Haunted-Days why would i care if people disagree with me? its my opinion

[@Nomoredrama2000]

Courtney really is doing such a charity in "I will watch it so you don't have to." 👏

[@SameShirtDifferentDay]

Sadism, psychological abuse, soft p0rn, drugs, greed, physical abuse, sexual violence, obsessive behaviors, depression, loss, addiction, broken relationships, grief. The show is intense.

[@Pinpilinlique]

This is great thank you so much for this very loving way of walking us through all of this portrayal of violence (that clearly feels violent in itself). As a very confused person and victim of family abuse I appreciate someone standing up for people like me in the form of clear explanation and respect for our experiences. Nothing should hurt, period.

[@vx9237]

I already knew I had been manipulated but I didn’t really understand how I ended up in that situation. You breaking down this series has helped me recognize patterns and understand how it happened and things I need to work on. Thank you.

[@JulianMichaelHoldcroft]

Lily is fantastic in this role! No OTT screaming or wailing. She is incredibly beautiful and conveys emotions so well. This girl is talented! She deserves better roles and she will continue her path.

[@abbywoods8385]

Totally agree. I’m optimistic about her career!

[@nahomerino]

I thought the same, her character was poorly written but she did a great job. I hope she gets better opportunities in the future

[@OnlyYourDee]

The fitting room sex scene felt so disturbing. Its like Tedros tried to punish her by being violent, and tried to control her by ejaculating inside her. Joselyn did actually push him back and set that boundary ("You can't come inside me"), and we can see that disobedience totally pissed him off. It's offscreen, but I won't be surprised if he vent his anger on the expensive clothes. I would expect some scenes in future episodes when he actually takes control.

[@gracewheeler20]

The way Leia’s character is gaslit and treated is really frustrating.

[@XIAO-j9o]

Right?

[@irlcamila]

im watching this show through your insightful videos and then through aaron and jos funny commentary to please my two personalities lol

[@the.truth.doctor]

Haha yes! They are very entertaining!

[@victoriasalexa]

i’ve been waiting on you to review this and wasn’t disappointed

[@DA-sf3vs]

The more people watch it, the more it normalizes those situations

[@stephenbonanno703]

Dr. Courtney, I politely insist that you continue your review of said series. Rest assured, between this and the first two you have successfully spoken sense regarding what may essentially be glamorized nonsense [...and I watched BOTH seasons of Euphoria]. Your grateful subscriber.

[@Lighthouse6104]

thank you for this analysis, it actually shined a light on my past relationship and how I fell for a monster like that. The sneaky tricks and techniques malignant narcissists use are dangerous and an extremely slippery slope.

[@ira6133]

I love how Tedros being all cool and manipulative did not come up with which school he attended in Hollywood.

[@diamonddestiny704]

19:13 Any decent person would have said the same thing. It's scary how expressions of love can be hijacked and used against us.

[@NikNik0123]

@0:55 😂it’s so funny you say that because all while watching this show I felt like, "this is porn with a plot."

[@UMMH2000]

Thank you, Dr. Please no matter what keep making these videos. As someone that was s.a., s.h., and r**** from a child and all the way too my preteens then groomed by ADULT men from my preteens to teens. I wish i came across people like you. I was manipulated into thinking these behaviors were ok and that i should go along with it. Now that im getting help. Im slowly but surely learning about how to spot the covert and overt narcissist and to stop making excuses for them as i usually would do.

[@StephinTech]

I think The Weeknd/ Sam L have grandiose narcissism in regards to what art they puts out. I think they truly think this show is like some sort of game changing phenomenon instead of what it actually is. While this show has good moments ( I will give the original director the credit for them) This show is terrible and such a waste because the concept is interesting and if done well would have been the such a topic of conversation. Instead we have this fantasy of two deranged men. Btw I am a fan of some of The Weeknd music.

[@tkuhel12]

I just found your channel and everything you commented on I have felt! I am not famous by any means, but I identify with Jocelyn’s character with the trauma of my childhood and young adulthood. I have been diagnosed with CPTSD and major depressive disorder and have done many of the risky behaviors that Jocelyn’s character portrays bc of the shit that was done to me by grown men and woman when I was a little girl (11, 12, 13, etc). So when I was a teenager I thought in my head that all I was good for was my looks and my body. I am 39 now and am just now unpacking all of my trauma and understanding why I reacted the way I did at such a young age and became and addict. I have been such a big fan of the weekend bc my 17 year old daughter is a massive fan. She struggles with mental Illness as well, and his music truly has saved her at times when she has isolated and didn’t have any friends. His music helped her through those times, so I will forever be grateful to him for that reason alone. I agree that this show had so much potential and I think what they are portraying is important, but it was done in a way that makes it feel too minimized. I wish they would spent more time fleshing out some of these characters past.

[@jackieocean3511]

I finally decided to watch the show after your first two reviews. Your reviews provide excellent feedback and help portray the message of the show in a productive way. Thank you for your work. Subscribed! 👍🏼

[@michellewormuth9919]

During the dinner conversation I was convinced that Jocelyn could “out manipulate” him. The end of the episode made me second guess myself… But honestly I think(hope) she’s playing him more than anything. Like, to get back at her mom and everyone else that used and abused her and she turns it around to take her control back

[@bt2598]

Exactly, the issue with the show is that she was an intelligent character but her actions contradicted in such a way that didn’t make sense

[@MegaMilenche]

3:17 Okay, but she gave consent to that guy to look, not touch her stomach. Why did he assume he may, and why was she okay with it?

[@robertbishop5440]

Thank you so much once again for your insight into this show and what it should and hopefully will dive into more by the end of it's run. This has been a very hard watch but I'm crossing my fingers that they turn things around at some point and really show how horrible the actions of some of the characters have been (mostly Tedros but also most of her original team). They have definitely painted it as "these are horrible people doing horrible things" so I really hope they get what's coming to them before the end.

[@ellapetal]

So much of what you said really resonates with me. Things I never would have seen or understood in my own behaviors. I don’t think that this show has much to offer on its own, but hearing this kind of discourse gives it more merit than I imagined. I would go to therapy if I could find someone like you. I really appreciate what you are doing. Thank you.

[@Novemberxo]

I look forward to your commentary of the show. Helps me understand what’s going on more on a psychological level which makes it even more interesting. After watching the show on sundays I’m like “I can’t wait till the truth doctor breaks down this episode” lol.

[@klaatubaradanikto1490]

just the absolute horror and silence at the end is really telling. I think that's how we all felt watching this scene... there's just no real good reason for something like this to exist and go for as long as it's aired. to say this show could have profited from more subtlety and tact is an understatement.

[@dn-shore]

your channel is one of my favorites, I love your content❤

[@the.truth.doctor]

Yay! Thank you!

[@xxFRANKENBANANAxx]

I'm literally sitting here in stunned silence because my parents used to tell me they caned me because they live me

[@marimm2400]

25:36 thank you so so much🤍 this really made me think a lot

[@anniel13]

You right...I was in a very dangerous relationship. I kinda lost all of myself I got used to it weirdly yes ... now I don't trust myself cause of it. I'm also proud I could left with my kids alive .

[@daysharamos93]

I have been patiently waiting for your review!!!!!!!

[@stevenecarrier]

I would love if you can you go more in depth with how he’s psychologically manipulating his cult and Jocelyn and the differences between Xander and Leia’s different reactions. I’ve been around people and experiences like this in real life- I definitely relate to Leia hardcore. They’re doing such a good job of telling this type of story, especially from someone who’s seen things like this from the inside. It’s so complex and it’s something that this show is bringing up to create conversations like this.

[@morganeb_5300]

I think my real issue with this show is that you can clearly see how little they understand the mechanics of abuse. It feels like they watched a bit of a true crime that talks about sects and domestic abuse and ran with it. And also there's the fact that the weeknd just wanted to self-insert himself as the scary but charismatic leader (meanwhile he acts like a rabid raccoon) and levinson just wants to shoot porn but also wants to be told he's smart.

[@mrsquixote5]

💯💯💯 to this They wanted to create 'art' but ended up having one-sided, self-absorbed conversation with themselves

[@magnoliasison1987]

This is better than the idol with unnecessary scenes. Im learning a lot here.

[@esinserbest8418]

another week of cringing whenever the weekend speaks

[@BogdanHonciuc]

I thought that the shop scene where Tedros is telling Joss how to dress etc. was inspired by Kanye (another grandiose narcissist) changing Kim Kardashian’s style. They had pretty much the same conversation, almost verbatim, about style on KUWTK. (And then people said that Kanye must be gay. Here, Joss blurted out “you’re gay” which sounds totally out of character coming out of her. I blame the writers. Speaking of, there are far too few gays around Jocelyn in this show. Do we know if at least Xander is gay?)

[@rejanrobinson8797]

I honestly find it completely off-putting when a man tells me how to dress. And ...Kanye supposedly told Miklos that he had same sex experiences so...its not that far off.

[@lovelyluhan]

I am so glad I found your channel to help me comprehend this show; breaking down the psychological difficulties that are addressed (quite poorly, in my opinion) as I am a person who has experienced and overcome sexual trauma, and why I couldn’t stand the first 5mins of the show. I’m not going to continue the show for my own mental health but I’m going to continue hearing your thoughts and educate myself in future on the “red flags” shown in this show. Thank you!

[@aantharya1132]

Once I finished 3rd epi I was waiting for your vid

[@heatherhaven1268]

This is by far the best channel breaking down these shows. Thank you, thank you, thank you..from the bottom of my traumatized heart. ❤

[@clarissemariaguida]

The best part of watching this show is your breakdown 😘

[@qtju]

Was looking forward to what you had to say. This episode resonated extremely accurately to me unfortunately and I don't have the means to afford therapy now what you did have to say gave me hope and a light at the end of the tunnel THANK YOU making this content

[@beancenzo9737]

Dr Courtney I’m really glad you exist but I’m not glad the season 2 fleabag reaction is taking its time to exist!!! Just kidding, Great videos and commentary anyway, I’ll be here for anything you react to. I love your empathetic viewpoint and professional insight on the psychology of the characters!❤️ your kindness gives me hope

[@unitealejo]

you help make sense of all of this, i will continue watching this show and taking your words that can bring a little value to this mess

[@lesedimokgobi]

This review and show made me better appreciate shows like Bojack Horseman and Oshi no Ko. The Idol isn't horrible but these shows do the same things so much better😂

[@watergoat2603]

Apparently the Oshi no Ko manga does a better job at discussing the music/idol industry than whatever this show does. Arima and Akane (both actors) so far in the anime have been shown to have struggle because of the industry and others that have a naive approach like Ruby

[@lugmediaclub1645]

Oshi no Ko is about a very different story than this, though.

[@herefortheshrimp1469]

@@lugmediaclub1645 I hardly even know what Oshi no Ko is about anymore lol

[@hello.internet]

@@watergoat2603the amount of unnecessary nudity literally reminded me of that creepy director on Bojack Horseman 💀

[@thisisnarjis4345]

Finally someone said what im thinking Speak up babe , speak up

[@chris3232]

I really love your videos on this series. One of my problems with The Idol (and I say this as a fan of the show) is that it wants to be too many things. On one hand, it's a winking tribute to Paul Verhoeven's films like Basic Instinct and Showgirls, as well as Brian De Palma's Scarface. Very over the top, sometimes grotesque, and campy films. But The Idol obviously wants to say something more by wrapping it up as a prestige era social commentary on the music industry and trauma while still being camp. And like you said, some of the places this show goes with its portrayal of sex and abuse needs to be handled more delicately than is being shown. There's an art to nailing the balance of getting the audience to believe in the ridiculousness of the world a show like this creates, but also getting them to feel for these people as well, and I don't think that's something Sam Levinson has ever managed. There's some irony in Tedros's statement at the dinner table about Jocelyn making superficial music because she only thinks about superficial things.

[@Crunchy_Dragon]

I'm thinking that "The Idol" refers to Tedros and not Jocelyn. He is a cult leader.

[@DrSimpleBeauty]

Having been in 3 relationships with a full blown love-bomb to abuser narcissists…The Weekend and LRD perfectly execute the dynamic. This could have been such a great show if not for the other characters and the plot in general.

[@floraltart]

i've been waiting for this! your commentary is informational.

[@the.truth.doctor]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@natasa3412]

I’m so early, the weekend didn’t even manage to traumatize me yet 😅

[@ana_bananass]

I wish I could relate. I'm still traumatised from the first episode 😭

[@natasa3412]

@@ana_bananass the weekend owes us all therapy money and i hope he’s not gonna offer a betterhelp subscription 🙈

[@TheMostDivine]

@@natasa3412i bet episode 4, 5, and 6 are only gonna get more and more disturbing. 🫣 i didn’t think anything could top the robe ch*king scene but the joe jackson hairbrush scene got me.

[@sgdsingh9123]

I was disappointed they didn’t burn that brush instead-and I’m starting to get bored with the pacing of the story, mostly because of the sexual scenes🙄

[@leannemaposa6784]

What annoys me about the show is that the original concept and idea was a good and interesting one. Then because of change in director and writing quickly ruined the show. Which is sad because i was looking forward to this show.

[@blaisemomin1106]

An actual certified therapist said "what the actual fuck was the point of that". Well, that tells me enough about the show

[@Hmy8799]

Omg you just said you’re in both sociology and psychology (exactly what I majored in) and got SO excited to watch your take on this crazy show! You’re also so right about how necessary a disclaimer was for this episode….ugh. Am subscribing and can’t wait to watch your other videos-hearing you break down tedros right now is everything! Speaking my language🙌 Oh man and it just got to the Epstein part-so glad you called that out. I recoiled in horror when I heard that line, and it was so incredibly unnecessary.

[@Raven_Black_252]

I've never watched this series but I watched all your reactions to it so far and I'll keep watching. From what I've heard and seen, I'm not missing anything by not watching it on my own. In fact, I'm probably getting more out of it through your commentary than I could ever have lmao.

[@karennarvaez-pacheco1547]

This episode was very difficult for me to watch. I am not sure if it was because of the content or because I was triggered due to my personal experiences, perhaps both. Both of my parents abused me as a child in different ways. My father abused my mother physically and emotionally, he was an alcoholic who selfishly spent most of his money on himself and the women he chose to cheat on my mother with. I was always trying to protect my mother when the beatings would happen and would get beaten instead. My father didn’t make a full appearance in my life until I was about 2-3 and my mother was very abusive towards me from the beginning of my life. I reminded her too much of my father because of our resemblance and I was blamed for her circumstances. She was in college when she got pregnant with me and he ran out on us. I experienced a lot of abuse at the hands of my parents and when my younger sister was born I did what I could to shield her from it all. We’re only 5 years apart. After that my life has consisted of many abusive relationships and self harm. At this point in my life, I’ve chosen to stay single as a form of self protection after my catastrophic divorce. He was the worst of them all. Watching this episode reminded me of things I’d been through with my ex husband and my parents. My ex is a malignant narcissist and I’m certain both my parents are narcissists as well. I truly hope the rest of the series sheds more light rather than continuing to show unnecessary sex scenes. As always, thank you for going through this with us. We greatly appreciate it.

[@irishdc9523]

4:22 Someone put that line in the script. Someone reviewed and approved of it. Someone acted it out, likely multiple times. Someone reviewed the footage and signed off on it. On what fucking planet are these people living on where they thought that would in any way be acceptable?

[@ella.canna777]

I think they should've dragged the relationship in the honeymoon phase for longer to make the dependence feel more "natural". This is a random dude both to us, and to her, and it doesn't feel real as it's the 3rd episode, it should go south later on. I'm a survivor of domestic abuse from my partner and it feels familiar, but Joselyn seems extremely irrational and they should've made her more relatable in her mixed feelings and the way he would've made her question her judgement. It's too much of a problem to be discussed in a 6-episode-long tv series.

[@doryinsanime6862]

I love your reaction & i love your review & you are great Therapist helping people.

[@deppetluna871]

Thank you, I really like your reactions and insights on this show. Even if I don't agree with everything you say, I always find it interesting. One thing you didn't talk much about and that surprised me quite a bit in this episode is how Joss has been able to tell him "no" in the dressing room and pull back, leaving him alone to finish. I felt that it actually showed quite a lot of control in the relationship, which is even more surprising compared to the end of the episode. To me the overs*xualisation of the show is a commentary in itself about the music industry, many said it was filmed like music videos... And I think they succeed in making us uncomfortable with them. I'm quite happy by that because at least, it means that is not yet normalized. I know that those subjets are difficult, but I personally think they should be talked about more to a mainstream public. People need to know more about it to be more guarded about it. And that what make commentaries like yours precious. I'm not convinced books from survivors will actually help all that much because people reading them are usually already quite aware. Just my humble opinion, of course. Thank you again, and already impatiently waiting for your next video (even more than the next The Idol's episode, though one wouldn't exist without the other 😅)!

[@TheMostDivine]

yeah the graphic scenes do prove the point of the original message by making us feel so horrified and disgusted, bc similar scenarios happen irl all the time, but they did it in a backwards way bc they’re men so of course they had to take it too far and sprinkle some gross fantasies all over it 😂 i feel like the music video shoot scene did a good job of showing abuse and emotion without over sexualizing everything.

[@megansuwek1919]

Amazing job with this video, this episode was so triggering in so many ways. This helped me digest everything that I saw with a more healthy narrative.

[@a.lpz-4]

I like the idea of survivors having the right to talk about their experiences as they wish, to own and exploit them, but the fact that the creators of this show hadn’t gone through any of it (at least that we know) is like talking somebody else’s story and adapting it to fit your own ideas; and I think that in itself is abusive. Quick questions, What would you think would be the repercussions of showing this type of violent relationship through a media that is so superficial? Would it impact the public’s perception of them? and, How much damage can it cause to portray trauma this way? Anyway, thank you so much for your reactions, I’m a huge fan of yours.

[@angelaholmes8888]

You are right survivors have every right to tell there story

[@sharyebethancourt3660]

11:52 I found out after watching your video for the first time that The Weeknd is very fluent in French lol. That made that funnier.

[@thetiktokpenguin4343]

Kinda feels like a repeat of 13 Reasons Why where they show graphic triggers for shock value and with little regard about their audience

[@spierdalaczka]

Little off topic but I love the drums set in the corner, I used to play drums before I got diagnosed with BPD and they really helped me when I needed to process my emotions somehow. The amount of broken sticks I had... Love your channel btw, watched the whole Fleabag reaction and I subscribed today ❤

[@sofiaostrovskaya9190]

thank for your reactions and the information that you tell to us, it is so important and helpful to understand things in life. this show is too messy that it should be, but lily is such a good actress, she is amazing here.