The Society
The Society is a dystopian mystery drama series that follows a group of high school students who are mysteriously transported to a facsimile of their wealthy New England town, West Ham, completely devoid of adults. They soon discover that the town is surrounded by an impenetrable forest, cutting them off from the outside world. The series explores their attempts to establish rules, govern themselves, and survive in the absence of any parental or societal authority, often drawing parallels to 'Lord of the Flies'. The show delves into complex themes such as power dynamics, social stratification, morality, and the challenges of creating a functional society from scratch. It features intense interpersonal relationships, struggles for leadership, and the psychological toll of isolation and uncertainty. While geared towards a young adult audience, the mature themes and challenging content make it suitable for older teenagers.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series features a prominent and well-developed gay romance between two main characters, Sam Eliot and Grizz Visser. Sam is deaf, adding another layer to his character. Their relationship is a significant part of the plot and challenges typical LGBTQ+ tropes.
Grizz learns American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with Sam, and in a notable scene, he asks Sam to teach him how to sign 'kiss me,' initiating a romantic relationship between them. The relationship between Sam and Grizz faces challenges, particularly when Sam is involved in his best friend Becca's pregnancy storyline, which leads to emotional conflict and misunderstanding, but highlights the depth of their bond. Grizz also explicitly comes out as gay to Gwen.
Violence
HighThe show depicts significant violence, including murder and punitive executions, as the teenagers struggle to establish and maintain order in their leaderless society. The violence can be graphic and has serious consequences for the characters and the community.
The character Cassandra is murdered by Dewey, who is then tried and executed by hanging by the makeshift government, illustrating the harsh realities and severe penalties in their new society. The series features physical altercations and threats as various factions vie for power, such as the conflict and power struggles involving characters like Campbell, which often escalate to violent intimidation.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe series features numerous romantic and sexual relationships among the teenagers, including implied sexual activity, kissing, and discussions of sex. Nudity is not typically graphic but suggestive situations are present, reflecting the themes of burgeoning adulthood and lack of supervision.
Beyond Sam and Grizz's romance, there are multiple heterosexual relationships depicted, often involving passionate kissing and implied sexual encounters occurring off-screen or with suggestive camera work. The show explores teenage sexuality as a natural part of their relationships, with characters engaging in flirtation, making out, and cohabiting, without explicit details but with clear implications of sexual intimacy.
Profanity
HighStrong language, including the 'f-word,' is present in the dialogue, reflecting the intensity of the situations and the age of the characters.
A review of the show explicitly quotes 'f*ck off, we're going to be amazing instead,' indicating the presence of strong profanity used within the show's dialogue. Characters frequently use expletives in moments of stress, anger, or casual conversation, adding to the realistic portrayal of teenagers in extreme circumstances.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe show contains high levels of intense and psychologically frightening content, stemming from the dystopian premise, the constant threat of danger, and the breakdown of societal norms.
The core plot involves the unexplained disappearance of all adults, leaving teenagers to fend for themselves, creating a persistent sense of dread, fear of the unknown, and survival anxiety reminiscent of 'Lord of the Flies'. Intense scenes include violent power struggles, murder, and the psychological manipulation by characters like Campbell, which contribute to a suspenseful and often disturbing atmosphere.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are central themes, as the teenagers are abruptly removed from adult authority and must navigate power vacuums, leading to frequent defiance against established or emerging leaders.
The inherent premise of the show involves a complete societal breakdown where teenagers must govern themselves, leading to constant power struggles and open defiance against elected leaders like Allie Pressman. Characters like Campbell Eliot actively rebel against and undermine any form of organized authority for their own gain, manipulating others and instigating chaos, demonstrating extreme disrespect for order.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe series incorporates mysterious and supernatural elements that hint at an underlying occult or paranormal cause for their predicament, rather than explicit witchcraft practices. This includes strange symbols and unexplained phenomena.
Early in the series, graffiti appears on a building with an Aramaic phrase from the Book of Daniel, 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin,' which translates to 'You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting,' suggesting a mystical or prophetic judgment on the town. The entire premise of the town's disappearance, the inexplicable nature of their new reality, and theories surrounding the bus driver Phyphen and a dog that appears in both worlds, all point towards supernatural or occult forces at play, rather than purely scientific ones.
Substance Use
MediumThe teenagers frequently engage in alcohol consumption, particularly at parties and social gatherings, and there are indications of other substance use given the lack of adult supervision.
Characters are often shown drinking alcohol at parties, with implied intoxication, such as scenes where they are gathered, holding drinks, and exhibiting behaviors associated with underage drinking. Given the high-stress environment and absence of adult oversight, substance use becomes a coping mechanism for some characters, with parties and social events often featuring readily available alcohol.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series does not explicitly feature anti-Christian themes. While characters may have varying beliefs or none, and moral dilemmas are central, there is no direct mockery, criticism, or sacrilege directed at Christian faith.
Helena, a character in the series, is noted for staying true to her religion, implying a Christian background, but this is portrayed as a personal character trait rather than being challenged or disparaged by the narrative or other characters. The presence of the Aramaic biblical quote 'You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting' serves as a mysterious plot device rather than an attack on religious beliefs, indicating a supernatural judgment without being anti-Christian.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
16+ (Mature Teens) - The series contains frequent strong language, significant violence including murder and execution, pervasive mature romantic and sexual themes, and intense situations of survival and psychological distress. The complex moral dilemmas and portrayal of substance use also contribute to its mature rating, making it more appropriate for mature teenagers who can process such content.
Additional Notes
The series was canceled after one season, leaving many plotlines unresolved. The themes of social experimentation, survival, and morality are complex and may spark discussions for older viewers.
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