Summer is in full swing, and fans of “The Idol” were left disappointed as the first season came to an end. The series, created by Sam Levinson, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim, failed to live up to expectations and left many questioning whether any part of it was salvageable.
One of the biggest issues with “The Idol” is its thin plot and incoherent narrative. Storylines are introduced and then quickly discarded, leaving viewers confused and unsatisfied. Character development is lacking, and the acting and pacing leave much to be desired. The show feels aimless and lacks the confidence it tries to project.
Despite its flaws, “The Idol” does have moments of inspiration. The finale, titled “Jocelyn Forever,” opens with a reintroduction of the main character, Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp. Surrounded by a new team tasked with remaking her image, Jocelyn performs a sultry pop song that is meant to reflect her recent experiences. This scene hints at a potential exploration of the machinations of celebrity, but ultimately falls short of delivering a clever shock.
The show attempts to make a sudden change in Jocelyn’s character, but it feels forced and unconvincing. The pivot happens in the fourth episode, “Stars Belong to the World,” where Jocelyn learns that her record label offered her single to a backup dancer and uncovers the real reason she met one of the other characters, Tedros, played by The Weeknd. This episode raises meaningful questions about Jocelyn’s motivations and her relationship to the people around her, but these themes are not fully explored.
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Instead, “The Idol” focuses too much on the relationship between Jocelyn and Tedros. While their relationship is meant to be profound, it lacks depth and fails to inspire any emotional connection from the audience. The show misses opportunities to delve into the stories of supporting characters like Jocelyn’s manager, Destiny, musician Izaak, or singer Chloe. These characters could have provided a more robust and engaging storyline.
The finale of “The Idol” tries to tie up loose ends, but the rushed pacing and throwaway one-liners only serve to confuse viewers further. A time jump to six weeks in the future brings us to the first night of Jocelyn’s tour, where she has supposedly recovered her reputation and is back in the spotlight. While this moment showcases Jocelyn’s strength and mischief, it feels abrupt and lacks the necessary build-up.
In conclusion, despite some inspired moments, “The Idol” fell short of expectations with its thin plot, incoherent narrative, and lack of character development. The show missed opportunities to explore more interesting storylines and relied too heavily on the underdeveloped relationship between Jocelyn and Tedros. With speculation about the show’s renewal, it remains to be seen if any part of it can be salvaged in future seasons.
