Sweet/Vicious

Sweet/Vicious is an American television series that premiered in November 2016 on MTV. It's an intriguing concoction of cutting-edge social commentary wrapped in the clothing of college life, formed by a distinct hybrid blend of dark humor, action, and drama. The series was designed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson specifically to deal with serious issues related to college life, specifically the pervasive issue of sexual assaults on campus. With only one 10-episode season airing to date, Sweet/Vicious marked a departure from the norm for MTV, known more for its reality television and youth-centric programming, by boldly taking on a heavy and relevant topic.

The show revolves around the lives of two college students, Jules Thomas (Eliza Bennett) and Ophelia Mayer (Taylor Dearden), attending the fictional Darlington University. Jules is a sorority girl, who presents an image of perfection and normalcy. While Ophelia, on the other hand, is an unabashed individualist, an impassioned hacker, and a recreational drug dealer often seen ensconced in a cloud of marijuana smoke. As different as they might seem, a dark and unexpected incident brings these two polar opposites together.

The crux of the story comes into focus when it’s revealed that Jules has been leading a secret life as a vigilante, exacting justice against sexual predators on her campus. Ophelia stumbles onto her secret and quickly becomes her unlikely partner in fighting against this underreported and oft-ignored evil. It’s a daring endeavor that lands the pair into a series of events filled with rough fights, thrilling chases, suspenseful investigations, while also exploring the internal consequences of the vigilante lifestyle on their personal lives.

While some viewers might be drawn to the show for its crime-fighting storyline, Sweet/Vicious delves deep into the complex emotions and psychological impacts that sexual assault survivors experience. The show’s chief strength comes from its empathetic and honest examination of its subject matter, opting for a delicate handling of the difficult and sensitive topics it discusses rather than focusing on gratuitous violence or shock value. In so doing, Sweet/Vicious forces viewers to grapple with the menace of campus sexual assault head-on, rejecting any attempt to underplay its depths or consequences.

The performances by the lead actresses are laudable. Eliza Bennett executes the transition between her dual life as a welcoming sorority sister and a ruthless vigilante with ease, bringing an authenticity to her role that is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Taylor Dearden plays the eccentric Ophelia with a believable combination of detached wit and vigilant advocacy. The chemistry between the two leads also adds a highly engaging element to the mix.

Sweet/Vicious also includes a host of supporting characters, all of whom help to further explore different aspects of campus life. The supportive friend, the callous fraternity, the self-consumed boyfriend, and the well-meaning yet clueless campus security are types that most college students will recognize. These characters not only advance the plot but shine a light on the various systemic and personal challenges the victims of sexual assault face when seeking justice.

In terms of technical aspects, the series embraces a slick presentation complemented by swift pacing, crisp dialogues, powerful fights, and stylistically placed musical sequences that underscore dramatic moments. Cinematic aesthetics combined with striking attention to the particulars of university life make the show visually appealing and effortlessly relatable.

Despite its abrupt cancellation after just one season, Sweet/Vicious filled a unique niche in the realm of television programming. Venturing into neither-before-explored territory, it offered hard-hitting social commentary under the guise of dark-comedic, vigilante crime-fighting. The show skillfully balanced sensitive and tough themes with elements of humor and action, making it a standout in the MTV lineup.

In summary, Sweet/Vicious is a daring and thought-provoking series that, despite its short run, has succeeded in opening a dialog about the grave concern of sexual assault on campuses, forcing audiences to confront an issue that is often overlooked or minimized. It's a show that deserves to be seen and remembered for its boldness and sensibility in presenting such a serious subject matter in a deeply intricate, yet palatable, manner.