Peacock’s Killing It is a dark and hilarious series that takes a scathing look at the modern American rat race. The show’s driving idea, encapsulated in an argument between its two leads in the season two finale, explores the ethical dilemma of pursuing success at the cost of others. Craig, one of the main characters, defends manipulative tactics as “dog-eat-dog stuff,” while Jillian rejects this notion, asserting that dogs shouldn’t eat other dogs. The show ultimately sides with Jillian, emphasizing the importance of ethical choices and highlighting the absurdities and injustices of the capitalist system.
Killing It effectively critiques the ultra-rich, showcasing the ways in which money warps their values and actions. While characters like the Roys in HBO’s Succession have power to influence public policy and the economy, Craig and Jillian and their peers are stuck fighting for survival at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Their individual choices shape their destinies, and the show explores how far they are willing to go to achieve their goals.
The series presents these moral dilemmas in absurd and hilarious ways. One storyline follows licensed Pitbull impersonators who revolt against oppressive restrictions, such as being told how much to weigh and who to date. Another darker storyline features a criminal matriarch who sees a prison sentence and a cancer diagnosis as a “happy ending” because it means the government will pay for her treatment. The laughs are rooted in sharp observations about the injustices and absurdities of everyday life.
Due to a limited promotional campaign caused by the WGA / SAG-AFTRA double strike, Killing It’s release faced challenges. However, this real-world context ironically strengthens the show’s argument. It highlights the power dynamics between employers and workers and the potential for abuse when it comes to privacy and personal autonomy. The show suggests that the leap from controlling actors’ likenesses to controlling workers’ lives is not a far-fetched possibility.
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Killing It also parodies one-percenters like Rodney, a murderous motivational speaker turned snake oil salesman. This character embodies the psychopathic traits of the ultra-wealthy and demonstrates how their actions can harm others. The series also critiques weak regulations and under-resourced regulators that incentivize cheating. It questions why corporations face minimal fines for wrongdoing and highlights the government’s strange priorities, such as an FBI officer’s quest for a Ted Cruz dick pic.
The show’s attention and sympathy are directed towards the everyday humiliations endured by the working poor. It portrays instances of mistreatment, such as a fast-food worker enduring a milkshake thrown by a wealthy prankster or a pregnancy surrogate being treated as property by her wealthy clients. While on a more optimistic series, these characters might quit in protest, Killing It explores the complexities of their choices. One character chooses financial stability over dignity, reasoning that the money can transform her and her daughter’s lives for the better.
Financial instability skews priorities and values, and Killing It astutely observes the impact of this instability. When faced with a layoff, Jillian contemplates selling her beloved car to make payroll, but ultimately cannot bear to give up the small comforts she has experienced. The series explores how financial circumstances can influence decision-making, and it avoids condemning Jillian’s imperfect choices, instead seeking to understand them as a result of her own shortcomings.
In season two’s final episode, Craig and Jillian face the ultimate moral test: whether to sell tainted berries that could transmit meningitis or refuse the deal and walk away from millions of dollars. Jillian, tired of being mistaken for weak and naïve, refuses the sale. Craig, however, betrays her trust and makes the sale behind her back, resulting in financial success for himself. However, this decision comes at a cost, as a meningitis outbreak linked to the tainted berries unfolds. The show highlights the consequences of unethical choices and the lack of remorse from those who profit from them.
In conclusion, Peacock’s Killing It is a biting and hilarious critique of the modern American rat race. It explores the ethical dilemmas faced by its characters and highlights the absurdities and injustices of the capitalist system. While the show presents these dilemmas in humorous ways, it also makes sharp observations about the real-world issues surrounding wealth inequality, weak regulations, and the impact of financial instability. Killing It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of success should not come at the expense of others.
