Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry is a period drama miniseries adapted from Bonnie Garmus's bestselling novel, set in 1950s and 1960s America. It follows Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant female chemist who faces pervasive sexism and discrimination in a male-dominated scientific field. After an unexpected turn of events, she becomes the reluctant host of a revolutionary cooking show, 'Supper at Six,' where she empowers women by teaching them scientific principles and encouraging them to pursue their own intellectual and professional aspirations. The series tackles themes of feminism, gender equality, and social injustice, presenting a blend of dramatic challenges and moments of wry humor. It is targeted at adult audiences due to its mature themes and content, including depictions of sexual assault, strong language, and critical perspectives on societal and religious norms of the era.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series includes representation of a gay character, Elizabeth Zott's brother, John. His story involves significant emotional distress and suicide due to his father's homophobia and abuse. While not a central ongoing plotline for a living character, this element is a critical part of the protagonist's backstory and is depicted with high emotional intensity.
Elizabeth's beloved older brother, John, is revealed to be gay. He dies by suicide after being emotionally abused and called an 'aberration' by their father due to his sexual orientation, an event that profoundly impacts Elizabeth.
Violence
HighThe series contains significant instances of violence, including sexual assault, physical attacks, and accidental death. These scenes are crucial to the plot and can be disturbing, although some are not graphically detailed.
Elizabeth Zott is sexually attacked by a college professor, and she defends herself by stabbing him with a sharpened pencil, causing him to bleed. Another instance involves Elizabeth being sexually assaulted by KCTV executive producer Phil Lebensmal, which she thwarts with a large knife, leading him to have a heart attack. There is also a mention of Elizabeth's brother, John, dying by suicide, and another man, Calvin, dying in a car accident. Harriet is hit with a bottle by her drunken husband.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe show features mature romantic relationships and implied sexual activity, alongside explicit depictions and discussions of sexual harassment and assault. Nudity is also present.
Elizabeth Zott and Calvin Evans have a sexual relationship while unmarried; some scenes describe their caressing conversations after sex, and implied sexual activity occurs behind closed doors. There is a short scene depicting Dr. Evans showering, where he is seen completely naked from behind, and other brief instances of nudity.
Profanity
HighProfanity is present throughout the series, including strong language and misuses of religious figures' names. The frequency and intensity of the language contribute to a higher severity rating.
The show includes repeated uses of the F-word and S-word, as well as exclamations like 'h—,' 'd–n,' and 'b–tch.' There are almost 80 instances of the name of Deity being used in vain.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe show contains intense and disturbing thematic elements, particularly related to violence against women and the societal pressures faced by the protagonist. While not horror, these elements create significant emotional tension and can be frightening.
Elizabeth experiences multiple sexual assaults and near-assaults, which are jarring and central to her character's development and anxiety. The suicide of Elizabeth's brother, John, and the circumstances surrounding Calvin's accidental death are emotionally intense and traumatic plot points.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighThe series presents strong negative portrayals of Christianity and religious institutions, particularly the Catholic Church, depicting them as hypocritical, abusive, and hostile to science and LGBTQ individuals. These themes are woven throughout the narrative and contribute significantly to the characters' backstories.
Elizabeth Zott admits to not believing in God on her show, leading to protests and negative reactions from religious individuals who call her 'lost soul.' Calvin Evans, Elizabeth's partner, was raised in a Catholic orphanage where he was implied to have suffered sexual abuse from priests, who also engaged in deceit for donations. Elizabeth's father is a dishonest preacher who faked miracles, and his homophobia contributed to her brother John's suicide.
Substance Use
MediumThe series includes frequent depiction of alcohol consumption and smoking, reflecting the period setting. There are instances where alcohol use is linked to violence and addiction.
Characters are seen drinking alcohol and smoking throughout the series. Harriet Sloane is hit with a bottle by her drunken husband, who is noted to get drunk often, indicating recurring alcohol abuse.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumDisrespect and rebellion are core themes, as the protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, constantly challenges and defies the sexist societal norms and male authority figures of the 1950s and 60s. This is portrayed as a positive attribute for her character.
Elizabeth Zott consistently defies male superiors and societal expectations in the workplace, refusing to conform to traditional female roles. For example, she's kicked out of her doctoral program after defending herself against sexual assault and refusing to apologize. She also uses her cooking show platform to challenge the status quo and empower women, often butting heads with station owner Phil Lebensmal and other male colleagues who attempt to control her message.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no direct depiction of witchcraft, sorcery, or occult practices. However, Elizabeth's father is described as a preacher who faked miracles, which involves deception regarding supernatural phenomena rather than actual occult practices.
Elizabeth's father is a religious charlatan who faked miracles, such as making pistachios combust, leading to the death of three people. This content focuses on fraudulent religious acts rather than genuine witchcraft or occult practices.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 17+ due to strong mature themes including sexual assault, graphic violence, significant profanity, implied sexual content, and anti-religious sentiment. The TV-MA rating is appropriate for this series.
Additional Notes
The TV series is an adaptation of a book, and while this analysis focuses on the TV series, many content concerns are consistent between the two. The series strongly emphasizes feminist themes and critiques the sexism and racism prevalent in the 1950s and 60s. Parents should be aware of the mature and sensitive topics that are central to the narrative.
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