Dietland

"Dietland" is a unique television series from AMC that premiered in 2018. It is a darkly comedic and highly unconventional show that takes a deep dive into the world of societal body image pressures and expectations. The series is an adaptation of the 2015 best-selling novel of the same name by Sarai Walker. It's a bold, offbeat dramady that challenges the norms through the exploration of pertinent themes such as body positivity, feminism and the beauty industry, making it an absolute standout in a sea of typical television fare.

"Dietland" revolves around the life of its central character, Plum Kettle, played with extreme liduidity by Joy Nash. Plum is a ghost-writer for the editor of one of New York's hottest fashion magazines. She is an overweight woman who finds herself constantly battling self-esteem and body image issues in a society that’s obsessively image-focused. She is seen struggling to deal with the daily pressure and expectations placed upon women, specifically with regards to their weight and appearance. Plum's private war against her own self-image and gastronomic desires forms the touchstone of the series.

The show follows her journey as she readies herself for weight-loss surgery. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself in the middle of two contrasting feminist factions. One group, known as "Calliope House," encourages her to embrace body positivity, turn her back on weight loss surgery, and reject society's imposed beauty standards. However, the other faction is a vigilante group known as "Jennifer" that resorts to extreme, even violent tactics to avenge and resist the exploitation and oppression of women.

"Dietland" is a meticulously plotted drama marked by vivid storytelling and illuminating performances. As a show, it challenges the viewer's comfort zones with a satirical bent that is both surprising as well as refreshing. It is subtly subversive and wonderfully zeroed in on the culture's obsession with appearances, a subject that is rarely represented with such searing honesty on television.

Jennifer is an unseen villain in the plot, a guerrilla group accused of committing violent acts against men accused of mistreating women. This dangerous and provocative part of the storyline adds an element of suspense and dark intrigue to the narrative. It juxtaposes against Plum's personal journey of self-acceptance and adds depth to her turmoil as she is torn between the lure of the quiet life she knows and becoming part of a drastic revolution against society's expectations.

Joy Nash's portrayal of Plum is wonderfully nuanced and sensitive, navigating us through her world with a raw sensitivity that refuses to shy away from the harsh realities of her struggles. Plum’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and Nash beautifully imbues the role with a sense of authenticity and spirit that renders her character truly unforgettable. Alongside her, Julianna Margulies plays the stylishly intimidating magazine editor, Kitty Montgomery, with intimidating poise, embodying the image-obsessed world in which they move.

"Dietland" takes viewers on an unforgettable satirical journey that is darkly humorous, deeply poignant, and provocatively thought-provoking. It takes unflinching aim at society’s skewed beauty standards and a culture rampant with sexism, paving the way for discussions on these themes. The feminist plot threads and critiques of societal expectations balance with an exploration of an individual’s internal struggle to create a delicate and nuanced narrative that speaks volumes more than what is merely present on screen.

"Dietland" is a fearless dive into unexplored territory on television, delivering a narrative that is raw, funny, dark, and unabashedly feminist. It’s an exploration of self-love and acceptance, a study of the ugliness of beauty culture, and a call to war against the societal norms that continue to dictate and limit the lives of women. It's a refreshingly radical series, daringly framed within the glossy pages of a high fashion magazine, and aptly positioned within the ruthless, judgmental landscape of New York.

"Dietland" resonates for its ability to spin a story that refuses to be pigeonholed and for its head-on collision with topics other shows wouldn't dare to lay bare. It's a bold series that fiercely clamors for fat acceptance and the destigmatization of women's bodies while making a stark statement against societal expectations. It's a refreshing mix of dark humor, tumultuous struggle, and radical empowerment that speaks not only to the state of society and modern feminism but also to the individuals locked in personal battles against societal expectations.