Initial Impressions of The Shards' First Episode
After immersing myself in Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, I’m committed to exploring The Shards, a new FX thriller co-created by Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis, based on Ellis’s novel. The first episode is immediately striking – big, glossy, and baroque. I’m still piecing together the show’s core, but I’m eager to understand its rhythm.
Nostalgia for 1980s Los Angeles
The episode opens with a panoramic shot of 1980s Los Angeles, immediately evoking a sense of youthful exuberance and, according to reliable sources (possibly my mom), a time when being young, blonde, and experimenting with recreational drugs – before fentanyl contamination – was commonplace. I’m already anticipating detailed observations about the locations used.
Early Thoughts and Observations
I’m particularly intrigued by the references to “this boy” and the realization that the characters are actually in high school. The line, “Kids today have it fucking easy,” feels pointed, especially considering the current TikTok landscape. I’m also concerned about a redhead’s impending demise and the inexplicably upside-down items in a medicine cabinet. I famously dislike horror!
Emotional Reactions and Comparisons
Hiding beneath a blanket, I struggled to process the unfolding events, even finding American Horror Story: Asylum overwhelming. The blonde horse girl’s fate seems inevitable, and the episode touches on themes of closeted high-school homosexuality. Kaia Gerber’s appearance is a welcome distraction. The soundtrack, a blast of 80s synths, is reminiscent of Black Mirror’s “San Junipero.”
Further Reflections and Absurdities
I’m wondering how often “rad” was used in the 80s, and whether teenagers could actually rent out the Beverly Hills Hotel. Wine coolers seem less glamorous than they appear, and a male striptease set to “Crimson and Clover” is a definite highlight. I’m also disturbed by a weirdly arranged dead body (later revealed to be a mascot statue) and appreciate the props team’s commitment to realism. The line, “Why does my stupid mother always pack me pâté for lunch?” is surprisingly iconic, echoing a similar sentiment from Heathers.