Crime
Wayward
Wayward tries to make a statement about intergenerational trauma, but it comes with a lot of content issues that will make the show a nonstarter for many.
Twenty years ago, the world went apocalyptic. A strange virus destroyed all of the computers, causing total anarchy to reign.
In response, cities chose to isolate themselves behind massive walls. They then threw out all the criminals and kept all the good people inside, leaving anywhere not behind such a wall looking much closer to Mad Max than the Midwest.
But cities are big, and they aren’t self-sustaining. That’s why they rely on “milkmen” like John Doe—drivers equipped in armored cars who carry cargo from settlement to settlement. That’s also why the job is so dangerous, since there are plenty of criminals out there who would love nothing more than to kill John and steal the loot.
But they’ve haven’t gotten John yet—he’s one of the best when he’s behind a wheel. So it isn’t really a surprise when New San Francisco recruits him to pick up a package from New Chicago and bring it back. And if he can do it in 10 days, they’ll let him retire within their safe walls forever. It’s too good a deal to pass up.
But, like I said, the country has gone fully Mad Max. And the drive to and from New Chicago won’t be an easy one.
Twisted Metal, the show, is based on a video game franchise of the same name. In it, contestants drive vehicles with weapons attached to them to take down opponents in a demolition derby-like competition. And the winner receives anything they desire. It’s a zany series with plenty of crazy characters.
Though the game’s tournament arc looks to be saved until the second season, the insanity of the game still makes its way onto the screen here. And it can get pretty rough.
Violence runs rampant across Twisted Metal’s United States. Viewers can expect to see plenty of limbs fly as well as lots of blood and gore. One group of butchers prepares humans for consumption, while a cop brands those he deems as lawbreakers. And violence like that is just the beginning of this show’s problems.
Sexual content is frequent, too. We see John’s naked rear early on, and he has onscreen sex with a woman. While we won’t see anything critical between the two, it’s very clear what’s going on. A sex-crazed grandma has a book full of graphic sexual illustrations. Masturbation is alluded to, and an old man attempts to have sex with dead bodies. And there’s also a faction called the Holy Men: it’s led by an exvangelical who calls his followers “gods” and encourages them to indulge in the “Seven Deadly Delights.” Some secondary characters are part of the LGBT community.
There’s more to unpack here, too, like the crude language and drug use. Suffice to say, however, that Twisted Metal has enough issues to fill every box of content categories.
With all of those warning signs, I’ll ask you, dear reader, the same question posed to those who are invited to partake in a Twisted Metal tournament: Will you drive?
John is tasked with picking up a package halfway across the country and bringing it back. But it’s a dangerous world out there, and complications will arise.
A few people are shot and killed, complete with extreme amounts of blood and gore. One man is shot in the crotch multiple times. A man is forced to kill himself. A woman gets branded. John kills and cooks a seal.
We’re told that part of society’s collapse was in part because people could no longer easily access pornography. John is stripped naked when he enters New San Francisco, and we see his rear. The guards spray perfume on his rear. When John meets a new guard outside a settlement, he calls the man a “virgin” and says that he’s got a “big package for you.”
A man wears a wolf costume and is pulled around on a leash. We see a man urinating. Someone comments on a drawing of a penis. We hear a crude reference to male genitals. Someone says that something can “make your nipples spin like a lady in the burley-que show.” A man and a woman kiss.
A song includes lyrics about getting high. John drinks a beer, and a few people indulge in wine. John complains that 91 octane gasoline gives his car “the squirts.” A woman hands off a baby, saying “get it back to its mother.”
The f-word is heard five times, two of which are preceded by “mother.” The s-word is used 11 times. We likewise hear a few uses each of “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n” and “h—.” Someone says “d-ck” once. God’s name is used in vain five times, three of which are in the form of “g-dd–n.” We see a crude hand gesture.
Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He’s also an avid cook. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”
Wayward tries to make a statement about intergenerational trauma, but it comes with a lot of content issues that will make the show a nonstarter for many.
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