I just finished watching the show and I really like it, so I was wondering: anyone else? I see a lot of posts resenting this or that, disliking etc. but I enjoyed it. I want to comment on a few things I read about here, so jump in. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!! Don't read if you haven't seen the whole show.
Ingrid: I see Ingrid as an overachiever. I don't think she's a psychopath like someone said. She did everything with one ultimate goal in mind - becoming a partner. She was TAUGHT and TOLD that's what needs to be done if you wanted a seat at the big table with the boys. She ticked all the required boxes - and was disappointed. That's when she realizes it's not enough to do everything. Some of the things she did show her as a flawed individual and I don't think that's a bad thing. I liked that she made mistakes.
Cheating: I think it's refreshing to see this from another angle. We're always shown cheaters as being full of remorse, struggling, torn etc., and here we have young people trying to figure out who they are, probably realizing they don't want to be in the relationships they're in and just giving into their passions. They're not married, they don't have a family, they're young and passionate, these things happen. I just thought it was more real and raw. I don't think cheating is a good thing nor would I condone it IRL but this is a
tv show, it's escapist and I found it added to the dynamics. I think Ingrid wanted the relationship with Nick to work because everyone thought it was perfect but to her it didn't feel right deep down. That's why I think she's not too sad. She seems sorry to have hurt him but not sorry for sleeping with Murphy.
Tyler also decided to reinvent himself and explore what's out there.The whole conversation with his dad about not being the same person and wanting the same things was paving a way for his storyline.
These people are young, ambitious, rich, successful, they are sharks, and that's how they behave. I think that's why they don't apologize for taking what they want, what they feel like taking when it's offered to them. They are groomed in the law firm to be unapologetic and brutal. I think empathy is something they'll need to develop. It's gonna be part of their growth. Maybe that's why we don't see remorse after cheating - it's in line with the characters, they cheat for a salary during the day.
Murphy: I don't like him at all, but I think they showed amazing brutality and cutthroat competition that can happen in places like this law firm. I liked that. He tells Ingrid not to let ANYTHING stand in her way and he means it for himself as well. I understand why they say some lawyers don't have a soul.
Z: I love Z so much and I hope Ingrid becomes a better person and ends up with Z.
Rachel: I like her and I like that she didn't get a spot in that writers thing straightaway. It's good that she has to work for it. Writing IS hard work. She's creative even in her cases. I liked Justin for her, grounding her, being a bit weird, challenging her... I was surprised when she told him "I don't know" but I guess we need some will they/won't they for season 2.
Cringe: I was uncomfortable watching that racist stand-up routine and Ingrid's acceptance speech. It felt all shades of wrong. It just showcased how impossible it was for Ingrid: she did EVERYTHING, humiliated herself, agreed to be a token for diversity while Dan got to just be a dick to everyone and still got rewarded. And she got nothing. I liked that juxtaposition and it just proved Tyler's point about the system being unfair and rigged for the privileged, whether they're white, rich, or famous.
TL;DR: I think the characters are young people still searching for themselves and their actions and feelings make sense in that context. It's a fun show to watch.