It must feel nice to be tall, the Punnett square gold mine. Height yields power, demands attention, and sometimes respect. A giant can be adored and respected by those who believe he won’t harm, but for many a giant is either a threat or a weapon -- nothing in between.
Naturally a story starring a giant - 13 feet to be exact- sheltered black teenage boy from the hood will explore questions of how power can be yielded for benefit and who will benefit from this power?
I’m Virgo was one of the best series I watched last year. In the midst of social commentaries on capitalism, exploitation, racism, and the medical industrial complex there was play, fantasy, love, friendship, coming of age and absurdity. It’s refreshing to see oppression explored in such nuance without it only being trauma porn. I actually rarely have the emotional bandwidth to sit through things that are heavier nowadays considering our waking lives are now infused with nearly every plot line from Black Mirror.
The show is a coming of age story following an Oakland teen, Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), who after living his whole life in hiding and under the protective care of his mother (Carmen Ejogo) and father (Mike Epps) ventures to the outside world. In this exploration Cootie meets friends who accept his otherworldly stature and existence as cool and interesting rather than something to fear or control.
As the world begins to “discover” we wonder - will Cootie be a hero for his people in Oakland or be a pawn for a world that only wishes to use him and not know him? The story is a kaleidoscope of themes and artistic style. Boots Riley exploration through magic realism is far out. Even with many fantastical elements we are still able to fully receive the real.
One of my favorite elements is “Parking tickets,” a cartoon story within the show that is so sharp that it could stand alone. Similar to Duncan Trussell’s The Midnight Gospel - this cartoon and the show itself asks the audience to welcome the chaos, sift through it all, and find the truth.
This show is something to get excited about. If you are into magic realism, comedy, absurdity, satire, and Oakland, this is a definite must watch. Hoping to hear more about an official season 2 announcement soon.