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trevaughntaiga t1_iydmii5 wrote

Reply to comment by FakkoPrime in The Decline of British Blue Collar Stories On Screen: 25 years since NIL BY MOUTH first hit screens, Gary Oldman’s film has become a relic of a time when working-class stories were major cinematic events. What happened? by Bullingdon1973

Most shows involving people are primarily focused on their dysfunction. Conflict is the basis of the Western narrative tradition. Al Bundy, Doug Hefferman and Walter White aren't great people.

The difference is the elites have money so existential threats come from things like cheating (loss of a partner), plagiarism (loss of career) etc. A widow killed her husband and gain full control over his assets rather than having to sell weed because he died of an heart attack.

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FakkoPrime t1_iydnf25 wrote

Yes, people love drama and comedy and both of those are largely borne on the back of struggle.

Those same threats you cite for elites is the same for working class and middle class.

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shampoobottle111 t1_iydy8to wrote

Yeah except the working class wife whose husband died can’t just fall back on her wealth.

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FakkoPrime t1_iye85j7 wrote

True, but economics usually isn’t the core of the struggle for even working class shows.

It’s more prevalent in some (eg. Roseanne, Frayed), but it’s more dissatisfaction with their job, their personal relationships and their accomplishments.

Breaking Bad starts off as a financial stop gap which leads into an exposé into the underlying resentment Walter White felt at failed relationships and lack of recognition. It was about respect not the money. That’s the same for The Crown or Succession or House of the Dragon.

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