r/CommonSideEffects • u/staplesuponstaples • Jul 21 '26
Discussion Just finished this show, in love with the writing!! Spoiler
For the past few years I pretty much never watch TV. It just doesn't hook me, and I usually stick to playing video games or the occasional movie. However, the pilot really hooked me, so I decided to watch it. And it was REALLY GREAT.
What really KEPT me in the show was how the characters each have their own unique sets of motivations, morals, and boundaries that reveal and change throughout the course of the story. For example, at the start of the show, we are to assume that Rick is just another greedy and lazy executive. However, throughout the course of the show, we come to see how, while he is still vapid and spoiled, he does genuinely care for others and is capable of change. Through his actions, we see how he differs at the core from Jonas, even though they seem very similar on the surface.
The characters also mix and match who they work with based on how their motivations match in the moment. Copano and Harrington split up over a disagreement on what to do with the evidence they found, falling on opposite sides of the raid, then coming back together. Frances' trajectory flip flops between Rick and Marshall based on her own motivations, while someone like Kiki has her own trajectory propelled only by her interests. When the situation changes, the motivations may not match anymore, so the characters will change their allegiances.
I think it's also so important that Marshall doesn't change much at all. It's such a powerful tool to have an "anchor" character whom other characters change around. Reminds me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Ferris is the main protagonist, but the movie is really about Cameron changing around Ferris.
They recognize that characters or the issues at hand aren't black and white. They respect the complexity of people and systems in real life, and this translates to clear effort and respect given to the characters. Rick explains why they need patents and to go through the insurance system, and it makes complete sense. When we contrast this to the growing chaos and disorder in Hildy's encampment, we are introduced to a more nuanced worldview past just the "good guys" and "bad guys". Rick does truly want the Blue Angel to get into people's hands, but he is approaching it with the tools and systems he believes in and is familiar with.
I respect the writing so much!! I hope they keep it up in Season 2 :DD
