By Clay Thompson | Reporter
The show Anatomy of a Scandal would have gone under the radar for me if it hadnt made it to Netflixs No. 1 spot a few weeks ago. I decided to give it a try and Im reasonably glad I did.
A limited series about how a sexually related scandal affects all involved, Anatomy of a Scandal truly is its namesake, burrowing into the psychological and physical effects the scandal has on those involved. As a warning, the show does tackle some heavy topics, such as sexual assault and the topic of consent, but it does so in a tasteful and profound way.
I first have to mention the unusual nature of the show. While it is few and far between, the show uses some surreal experiences to emphasize or contextualize moments in the show. From a man physically being thrown back by an accusation, to witness testimonies being reenacted in the courtroom, the show dumps audiences into its story in a not-so-typical courtroom format. While I was initially thrown off by this, as the show progressed I found it not only more helpful to me as a viewer, but also much more effective than what normally constitutes good courtroom drama. It added emphasis to how characters felt in the moment and gave audiences deeper understanding of the feelings and themes at play.
That being said, none of the characters held the audiences hand in this show. The acting was subtle yet effective, and Sienne Miller and Michelle Dockery are the two standouts of the show for me. Miller plays the wife of a parliamentary official accused of sexually assaulting an office assistant. Her constant shifting between the choices of being a mother and dutiful wife of her accused husband or being her own person and discovering for herself what really happened creates a compelling character arc for her. As the audience, I truly enjoyed how she played the role.
Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey also does a wonderful job as the public prosecutor of the case. Her character inside and outside the courtroom was never dull, and she always knew how to measure her acting in every scene.
The themes and message of the show were perhaps the most compelling element of the limited series. It most heavily touches upon the complexities of sexual relationships and consent in what I believe to be an interesting but not pandering way. Additionally, the show discusses the topic of political and financial privilege within a justice system masterfully.
The only thing I would have to fault the show for is its twist. Without giving it away, there is a twist later on in the show that is so unbelievable and unethical that it really took me out of the story a bit. I understand the show is based on a book, so I cannot really fault the show for following its original material, however I can fault the twist in general for being so terrible that it almost ruined the show for me.
Netflix has another heated limited series hit on its hands. Anatomy of a Scandal takes a different direction than some other limited series, in covering one court case that dives deeply into the nuances and themes of the cases origin, and it does so in a moving yet entertaining way.
Continue reading here:
Review: Netflix's 'Anatomy of a Scandal' tackles sensitive topics tastefully - The Baylor Lariat
- Chocolate Artistry [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- La Cabeza Circuitoide [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2010]
- Stuntkid: Anatomically Correct [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2010]
- "The Secret Museum" Exhibition Opening, Observatory, This Saturday, April 10, 7-10 PM [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- "The Secret Museum" Exhibition Opening, Observatory, This Saturday, April 10, 7-10 PM [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Flat Surgery [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2010]
- Job Opportunities at the Medical Museion, University of Copenhagen [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- "The Secret Museum" Exhibition Opening, Observatory, TONIGHT! April 10, 7-10 PM [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Animal Body Worlds at the Neunkirchen Zoo, Saarland, Germany [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2010]
- Congress for Curious People: Lectures Begin Tomorrow Night at the Coney Island Museum! [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Job Opportunities at the Medical Museion, University of Copenhagen [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Animal Body Worlds at the Neunkirchen Zoo, Saarland, Germany [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- "The Secret Museum" Exhibition Opening, Observatory, TONIGHT! April 10, 7-10 PM [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Anatomic Fashion Friday: Skeleton Bodysuit [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Diabetes Ads [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Anatomia del corpo humano [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- "The Brading Collection of Taxidermy, Waxworks, Costume and Similar Items," Duke's Auction House, Dorset, April 13th (Today!) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Anatomy Pillow [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- A Brief History of Automata, An Illustrated Lecture and Demonstration by Mike Zohn, Obscura Antiques and Oddities, TONIGHT! Coney Island Museum [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- "The Brading Collection of Taxidermy, Waxworks, Costume and Similar Items," Duke's Auction House, Dorset, April 13th (Today!) [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- A Brief History of Automata, An Illustrated Lecture and Demonstration by Mike Zohn, Obscura Antiques and Oddities, TONIGHT! Coney Island Museum [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Hip Pockets [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- "A History of Taxidermy: Art, Science and Bad Taste," An Illustrated Presentation By Dr. Pat Morris, Congress for Curious People, Coney Island Museum [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- “Wild Anatomy” by Rachel “Thirsty Fly” Caldwell [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Charles Wilson Peale and the Birth of the American Museum, Coney Island Museum, Tonight!!! [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- "The Congress for Curious People," Epic 2-Day Symposium Begins Tomorrow!!! [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- "A History of Taxidermy: Art, Science and Bad Taste," An Illustrated Presentation By Dr. Pat Morris, Congress for Curious People, Coney Island Museum [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Charles Wilson Peale and the Birth of the American Museum, Coney Island Museum, Tonight!!! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- "The Congress for Curious People," Epic 2-Day Symposium Begins Tomorrow!!! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Anatomic Fashion Friday: Lady Grey Jewelry [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- "Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads" Book and Lecture by Stephen Asma, Thursday April 22, Observatory [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- "The Silken Web: The Erotic World of Paris, 1920-1946," Mel Gordon Lecture at Observatory, Tomorrow April 20th [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Marylin Monroe Exposed [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- The Dance of Death, 1919, Attributed to Josef Fenneker [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- "Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads" Book and Lecture by Stephen Asma, Thursday April 22, Observatory [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- "The Silken Web: The Erotic World of Paris, 1920-1946," Mel Gordon Lecture at Observatory, Tomorrow April 20th [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- The Dance of Death, 1919, Attributed to Josef Fenneker [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Military Docs Pluck Live Shell From Soldier’s Head [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- "The Rogue Taxidermy Kunstkammer," The Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists, La Luz de Jesus, Los Angeles [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- "Museums, Monsters and the Moral Imagination" Lecture by Stephen Asma, Tonight!, Observatory [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- "The Rogue Taxidermy Kunstkammer," The Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists, La Luz de Jesus, Los Angeles [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- "Museums, Monsters and the Moral Imagination" Lecture by Stephen Asma, Tonight!, Observatory [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- Feminal Artery [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- Anatomic Fashion Friday: Penis Trousers [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- The First Full Facial Transplant [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2010]
- "Anatomical Art: Dissection to Illustration," Exhibition Curated by Marie Dauenheimer, Arlington, Virginia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2010]
- "Anatomical Art: Dissection to Illustration," Exhibition Curated by Marie Dauenheimer, Arlington, Virginia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- John C. Miller [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- "Three Unique Medical Museums in Northern Italy," Lecture by Marie Dauenheimer, Observatory, Saturday May 1 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- This Is Spinal Tape [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- "Excellent Old-School Science Models," Life Magazine Photo Gallery [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- "Three Unique Medical Museums in Northern Italy," Lecture by Marie Dauenheimer, Observatory, Saturday May 1 [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- "Excellent Old-School Science Models," Life Magazine Photo Gallery [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- Ventricle Vase [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- "Imaging / Imagining the Skeleton," Symposium, Tomorrow, Friday, April 30, 1:00-4pm, CUNY Graduate Center [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Synthetic Being [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Tomorrow Night at Observatory! "Three Unique Medical Museums in Northern Italy," Lecture by Marie Dauenheimer [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- "Imaging / Imagining the Skeleton," Symposium, Tomorrow, Friday, April 30, 1:00-4pm, CUNY Graduate Center [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- Tomorrow Night at Observatory! "Three Unique Medical Museums in Northern Italy," Lecture by Marie Dauenheimer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- UIC’s Biomedical Visualization Program on CBS [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- Kim Joon [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- Head of Discovery and Engagement, Wellcome Library, Employment Opportunity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- Talking While Driving [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- "Experimenting with Death: An Introduction to Terror Management Theory," Lecture, Observatory, Thursday May 6 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- Skin Drawings [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2010]
- Kabinett des Grotesken ("Cabinet of the Grotesque"), Berliner Medizinhistorisches Museum der Charité, Spiegel Online [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2010]
- Head of Discovery and Engagement, Wellcome Library, Employment Opportunity [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- "Experimenting with Death: An Introduction to Terror Management Theory," Lecture, Observatory, Thursday May 6 [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- Kabinett des Grotesken ("Cabinet of the Grotesque"), Berliner Medizinhistorisches Museum der Charité, Spiegel Online [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- WAD Magazine [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- "The Saddest Object in the World," An Illustrated Meditation, Observatory, Friday, May 7th [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- "An Atlas of Topographical Anatomy after Plane Sections of Frozen Bodies," Christian Wilhelm Braune, 1877 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- The Taxidermy of Mr. Walter Potter and his Museum of Curiosities, Melissa Milgrom [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- Industrial Strength Lungs [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- The Taxidermy of Mr. Walter Potter and his Museum of Curiosities, Melissa Milgrom [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- Tonight!!! "Experimenting with Death: An Introduction to Terror Management Theory," Lecture, Observatory [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- Original Fritz Kahn Posters and Key Booklet, Sotheby's Vintage Posters Auction, May 13 [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- "The Saddest Object in the World," An Illustrated Meditation, Observatory, Friday, May 7th [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]
- "An Atlas of Topographical Anatomy after Plane Sections of Frozen Bodies," Christian Wilhelm Braune, 1877 [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]
- Tonight!!! "Experimenting with Death: An Introduction to Terror Management Theory," Lecture, Observatory [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]