With my excitement for winter break comes my excitement for binge-watching more TV shows. These past couple of weeks, I have been keeping up with a Norwegian show called "Skam," which translates into "shame" in English. Each season follows a different character, although most of the characters are seen throughout all of the seasons - the focus just changes. It follows the drama of school life for these teenagers, and has frequently been compared to the British show of similar style, "Skins." There are plenty of reasons that you should be watching "Skam," even if you don't know Norwegian.
1. Actual teens that look like teens playing teens.
They have imperfect faces and patchy facial hair, and most of the time they don't even look like they're wearing screen make-up. It's a really nice change from American shows.
2. The way it explores people's worldviews.
If someone has a sexist/racist/prejudiced view of the world, they'll address it in a careful and educating way instead of those who disagree by just yelling at each other.
3. Crushing the patriarchy, and arguing on the right way of how to take down misogyny.
And there is a lot of support for the girls who get bullied.
4. They even use the word "misogyny" when talking about sexism - several times.
They have no shame, despite the name in being direct in this show. If they have something to say, they'll say it straight up.
5. The best girl squad on the planet taking care of each other.
"Skam" pretty much has the best, most loving and accepting girl group I have seen on TV, in film, in real life, basically ever.
6. Carefully, realistically done relationships.
Every one of the main couples has been written in a beautiful way, and the progression feels realistic. One of the couples is two boys, one who is completely comfortable in his sexuality and the other who is coming to terms with what being gay means for him.
7. Combating sexuality stereotypes very carefully.
This is done through others telling Isak, a closeted boy, why it doesn't matter how you act if you are gay - but you still have to respect those that act more stereotypical because they were the ones fighting for rights for the LGBTQ+ community before non-stereotypical queer people even joined the movement.
8. The honest and no-bull**** portrayal of Islam/Muslims/Hijab-wearing women.
Sana is basically the best character ever, and she constantly corrects people about her faith and her experience as a Muslim - even her friends who don't quite get what it's like to be a Muslim in a country that does not have many people who share her faith.
9. The Iconic Easter Episode
No explanation will do this episode justice, but let's just say a boy named Kasper and a Ouija board is involved.
10. The fact that they upload the clips in real-time.
Every episode comes in the form of clips each week, uploaded at the day and time that the clip occurs. It is also accompanied by texts, Instagram pictures, and other miscellaneous social media posts throughout the week. The clips are compiled into a longer episode on Fridays, which are then fan-translated with English subtitles.
11. The typical tragic pretty boy love interest, William.
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
12. Their adorable Norwegian accents when they speak small amounts of English.
It's fun when you hear words you actually recognize as opposed to having to quickly read the subtitles.
13. Supportive bro-squad in season 3, comparable to the girl squad that was developed in the first two seasons.
They're honestly too good to each other, especially after everything they've gone through.
14. The way they portray mental illness has been a big part of why it has become more well-known.
Not only do they educate on bipolar disorder, they don't portray it in the usual drastic dynamics most television shows do. They show that the manic episodes don't have to involve terrible illegal acts like stealing babies, and that the depressive episodes involve a lot of sleeping. That it can happen in really quick succession sometimes. And that it's okay to be afraid of someone when they're in a manic episode, but that doesn't mean they never cared about you. It's taken care of directly but gently, making sure that not only the character but also the audience understands the disorder.
15. Last but not least, the music.
I swear, 90% of my playlist right now is from the soundtrack. I swear, these songs are too good.
There are plenty of other reasons for watching this show that I debated on adding to the list, but I didn't want to overwhelm anyone with all of the wonderful qualities that this show has. The list goes on and on. Now that the third season is finished, it is the perfect time to start watching before the new season comes out in the spring. I seriously recommend this show to anyone who is willing to sit through subtitles. It's worth the watch!
