Quote:
Originally Posted by Dids
I just think both "the man" and really "keeping them down" are pretty inaccurate.
It's more just about how there are incentives on both sides to maintain status quo. However you define "the man", it's not really an active, conscious thing that's stopping anybody from making progress.
It's the system, the game, etc. It's a perpetual motion machine that by it's very nature keeps itself from being upset.
But mostly it's that somebody complaining about social commentary on a show that exists to provide social commentary is broadly missing the point. Simon's message is obvious and somewhat heavy handed because that's what he set out to do.
I read his interpretation and meaning of "the man" to mean exactly what you said. And I'd be willing to bet that he did as well.
And I don't think he was saying that the shows social commentary sucks or is overblown. I just believe he said the methods used to get it across is heavy handed and over the top sometimes. Theres a difference between the point made and the method used. And I fully agree.
I mean, for example, the chess scene is just LOL bad upon repeated viewings. Or when whats his name goes to the Foot Locker to get a job.
I still think the show, based on its social power alone, makes it near the top of all time. But yes, that doesn't mean I think the show is as perfect in the way it made its points.