Overview - Reception for Channel 4's drama 'The State'

BY

Egypt Today staff

-

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 - 09:02 GMT

BY

Egypt Today staff

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 - 09:02 GMT

Image taken from The State trailer

Image taken from The State trailer


CAIRO – 28 August 2017: Reception for Channel 4's TV drama series ‘

The State

’ has been divided; while some viewers feared that the show glorified IS, while others found it a gripping and eye-opening look into the path of radicalization.

The 4 part show premiered on Sunday, Monday 20 to an audience of over 1 million. Its finale, which aired on Wednesday, August 23, was considerably well-received. A review posted by The Times called complaints of the show glamorizing IS as 'laughable', but criticized the show's writing for attempting to “please all sides of the political debate” and ultimately coming across as dispassionate.

The Guardian's review after the finale aired was only slightly more positive; while calling it an “eloquent anti-recruitment video,” the reviewer ultimately failed to feel satisfied by the answers 'The State' reportedly set out to give about the mindsets of the recruits, ultimately feeling unconvinced by the character's ignorance of what they had willingly participated in.

Amongst audiences, reception had started off rather negatively, albeit in a kneejerk fashion. Concerns that the show was glorifying IS and its lifestyle were common in #TheState Twitter hashtag prior to the show's official premiere, along with those who felt it needed to be pulled after the Barcelona attacks;





However, the tag took a different turn after the show's run ended, with views praising the show for its brave message and criticizing detractors;





Echoing the complaints of the professional reviewers were some who felt the show needed to flesh out the backstories of its protagonists for a more effective message;



Comments

0

Leave a Comment

Be Social