by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
Based on the DC comics of the same name, Sweet Tooth is a story unlike any you’ve ever seen before. Or is it?
The brand new sci-fi Netflix original that hit our screens this month is one that acts as part social commentary and part dystopian escapist fantasy. It’s a world full of imagination, humanity, the lack thereof, and everything in between. Again, this all sounds great and enticing right?
Following the adventures of Gus — also known as Sweet Tooth — a 10-year-old deer-boy hybrid, we are with him as he discovers the post-apocalyptic world that left him behind.
When I first heard of this show, I was very interested. The chance to explore a new world with new rules that I hadn’t dealt with before filled me excitement. However, as I got more and more into the series, I realized that while the surface was shiny and new, that was in fact a very thin layer, hiding something very familiar underneath. To wit, this is a show that takes the same route ass many popular sci-fi ‘what if’s’ have done before. They create a marvelous new form of human — mutant, if you will — add in a sprinkle of pre- or post-apocalyptic setting, and a tie it off with a shocking conspiracy at its center.
It’s X-Men in sheep’s clothing. Another allegory for the holocaust which focuses on young children who were born with half-animal genes, and a disease that is killing off all humanity at the same time. It explores the worst in humanity, and supposedly the best. But again, the idea is that most of what is left is actually the worst, because we humans suck whenever we’re presented with anything remotely different. That is to say, for a Netflix original, it’s not that original.
So this is where my own struggle has lied: while I found the show to be well-made, well-performed, and well-thought out, I couldn’t get past the fact that once again we were being shown a type of scenario that has been done over and over. And I feel that the viewing public might be starting to get its fill. How many times can we possibly focus on what is wrong with the world and with people?
All that aside, however, this is a show that has merit. As I mentioned, the way the story is told, the character development that occurs feels real and earned with every episode that passes. In fact, I would be so bold as to say that the way in which this tells its story is interesting and unique, as it places everyone firmly in the grey.
While the film has clear protagonists and antagonists, none of them are entirely evil, or entirely good — except maybe one, but spoilers! Most have made bad choices from time to time, and they’re understandable. In a world that’s so deeply rooted within its own dystopia, it’s very easy to sympathize with having to make difficult decisions when what’s on the table is your own survival.
However, one thing that this show does definitely suffer from as well, is the ‘main-child-character-constantly-does-all-the-wrong-things’itis, and it’s glaring. From the moment that Gus leaves his sanctuary at the beginning of the show, all the way through to the last 10 minutes of the final episode, he is pushing boundaries and taking chances in the worst way possible. So much so that it gets to be really frustrating from time to time. If this is something that has gotten on your nerves before, then my advice would be to steer clear, as I have a feeling that it’s not something that’s going to improve even if it does get a second season.
So after having said all that, is this a show worth investing in? In the golden age of TV, is this one that is worth adding to your watchlist? Generally, I would say yes, but only if you’re a big fantasy or science fiction enthusiast. If you’re more of a casual watcher, or if X-Men storylines aren’t your thing, this is one I would definitely give a miss.
This is a show that was made for a select group of people: those like myself who will grab at any form of fantastical world that they can get their hands on. But those people need to be ready for a world of hurt — a world of sadness, desperation, and depression mixed in with her antics surrounding a half-deer boy.
So, if that’s something that sounds right up your alley, then buckle down on a nice Saturday evening and enjoy. However, if you’re not in the mood to feel worse than you do now, and are wanting more hope than the opposite, then I’d recommend looking elsewhere.
Grade: B
You can follow Alice-Ginevra Micheli on Instagram