![]() ![]() The new world is organized into strict hierarchies through careful breeding, ruthless application of operant conditioning through corporal punishment, brainwashing, and chemically induced bliss delivered by the drug soma. Everyone is kept in their place through brainwashing, hypnotism, and a drug called “soma.” World Controllers enforce a brutalist system of stamping out individual emotions, character, and decisions to rid the human race of the individualism that led to its near extinction. The Dystopian Quest for Social Stabilityįor those needing a refresher, Huxley’s Brave New World effectively extinguished individuality. Nevertheless, the bones of the plot and characters remain firmly rooted in Huxley’s vision for a dystopian World State governing London several centuries into the future. Fortunately, and perhaps most relevantly, producer Wiener and his cadre of writers have done an admirable job trying to stay faithful to what is perhaps the novel’s most important and timely theme: individual identity, agency, and personal freedom. Thus, perhaps not surprisingly, the first season comes off as overly reductionist and thematically underdeveloped. Unfortunately, it lacks the layers and depth of the classic dystopian novel. Weiner’s interpretation of the classic is slick, stylish, and well acted. For those looking for an adaptation that puts individualism and personal liberty at the center of the story, they’ll be hard pressed to find much better television. However, those looking for a contemporary aesthetic and interpretation may find David Weiner’s spin refreshing and probing. Fans of the novel are likely to be disappointed. ![]() ![]() Yet another cinematic remake of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World made its debut this year, this time as a nine-part series on NBC’s streaming service Peacock (watch the trailer here). Single Issues of The Independent Review. ![]()
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