This short-lived Netflix show features one of the most inaccurate and damaging portrayals of bipolar disorder ever captured on screen. With mother (Carol) and daughter (Kat) grappling with their diagnoses, we watch Carol (January Jones) blame the birth of her daughter for ruining her ice skating career. Carol physically abuses, insults, and acts like Kat’s drill sergeant – aggravated during unmedicated manic episodes.
However, the worst part of this dynamic comes from the unrealistic portrayal of drugs. The series portrays medicine as creativity that dilutes, providing a negative stereotype that could tempt viewers to stop their medication. Worse still, when Carol or Kat (Kaya Scodelario) take drugs, they become different people who are suddenly “fixed” and have totally different morals and personalities.
In addition to Carol being a terrible mother who hammers home the stigma that people with bipolar disorder can’t be good people or parents, the show’s messages about mental health are damaging at best.
If you or someone you know has mental health issues, please contact the Crisis text line by texting HOME to 741741, call National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit National Institute of Mental Health website.
