The Republic (2019)

Bingeing shows like Black Mirror & On Children is never a good idea - these shows are too depressing to be consumed in one setting - but The Republic is depressing for a different reason.

The Republic is a valiant effort, considering that this is the first drama in Hong Kong that aims to discuss the various societal issues and problems caused by the addiction / over-reliance on technology. However, the main flaw of this show, is that there was no depth in regards to the issues raised. A lot of these issues seems rehashed over and over again, the arguments they raise against the over-reliance on technology are ones we have heard a lot of times. The writers seem to fall back on "the government using technology to control their citizens" trope constantly, as if they couldn't come up with another plot to deliver their intended message. (Or maybe this was due to the political atmosphere in Hong Kong last year, I mean who can blame them.)

Perhaps the most depressing thing was that there was actually a lot of potential in the premise. It would have been a lot more interesting if the writers knew how to use the show to bring up the problems Hong Kong citizens are facing and embed the show deeper into Hong Kong's society and people.

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