Exploring the Complexities of the Series Chewing Gum

From the moment you press play on "Chewing Gum," it's evident that you're stepping into more than just another teen drama; it’s an ambitious endeavor to cram an abundance of narratives into a short episode run. However, watching this series can elicit a whirlwind of mixed emotions. The themes tackled appear to be significant; yet, their execution leaves much to be desired.

A Maze of Plot Lines and a Shortage of Screen Time

One of the defining characteristics of "Chewing Gum" is the intricate web of story arcs that unfold side by side. It features just about everything a viewer might expect from a teen drama:

• Adolescents grappling with both typical and atypical challenges,
• The dark inclinations of the tyrannical character Kirill,
• The main heroine's mother, just out of prison,
• Romas’s affluent yet emotionally barren family, shadowed by a cancer-stricken sister and a distant father adding to the bleak atmosphere,
• Themes of betrayal, bullying, and even stalking.

While such a plethora of events could potentially be a boon, the show’s limited runtime hampers its ability to flesh them out effectively. The result is a story that feels rushed and characters who remain frustratingly underdeveloped.

The Main Characters: Hard to Feel Sympathy for Them

As many viewers have noted, the characters within the series often evoke more irritation than empathy.

• Galia Shalamova — the protagonist, whose life is a tapestry of hardships, doesn’t necessarily inspire unwavering support from the audience. Her yearning for love and acknowledgment, although relatable, borders on desperate and overbearing.
• Roma (Hans Shmuze) — a wealthy influencer, treats Galia as a mere punchline, embodying the role of the stereotypical spoiled rich kid. Instead of garnering a modicum of compassion, he accentuates the emptiness of his world.
• Kirill — Galia's authoritarian boyfriend, with a penchant for criminal activities, amplifies the existing tension and peril surrounding the narrative.

Even secondary characters, like Roma’s mother—who struggles to stay grounded—and his sister, battling illness, fail to elicit any deep feeling of sympathy. It almost seems intentional that the creators designed their characters to be thoroughly off-putting.

Collective Cruelty: Games That Spiral Out of Control

One of the most stark and unsettling themes within the series hinges on collective brutality. Roma and his friends' so-called "game" with Galia—a cruel mockery dubbed "Chewing Gum"—illustrates a blatant disregard for another person's emotions.

Scenes showcasing the privileged group ridiculing Galia sharply spotlight the issues of bullying and moral irresponsibility. However, the series falters by not offering thorough introspection on this egregious subject, merely skimming the surface of its implications.

Is There Hope for Plot Progression?

Despite its glaring flaws, "Chewing Gum" possesses untapped potential. Galia's journey—her struggle to transcend her challenging realities and her quest for self-discovery in a world rife with deception—could lay the groundwork for a more profound narrative.

A glimmer of hope remains in the suggestion that Galia, through her trials and tribulations, might craft a screenplay that alters her destiny. It could evolve into a narrative that illustrates how art serves as a healing balm to traumas, guiding one toward their rightful place in the world.

"Chewing Gum" proves to be a project eliciting plenty of questions while often failing to provide satisfying answers. It could be perceived as an experimental take on adolescent cinema, though labeling it a triumphant success at this juncture seems hasty.

Nonetheless, for viewers intrigued by dramas that delve into complex relationships, the series might warrant attention. There's a potential for richer exploration of themes and characters in subsequent episodes. For now, the impressions remain paradoxical: while the series piques curiosity, it simultaneously frustrates with its superficiality and narrative overload.

Let’s hold onto hope that the creators will find the right path and illustrate how even from the toughest predicaments, a way forward can be discovered.