I May Destroy You
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The premise of HBOs new seriesI May Destroy Youis sadly an all-too-common Me Too story.
Was it too many drinks?
Was it something else?
Is your mind playing tricks or were those foggy memories actually waking nightmares?
Suddenly, what seemed like a fast-paced night of fun slows down.
Arabella starts to lose control of her body.
She knocks a glass over, her hand unsteadily grabs napkins and straws while trying to regain her balance.
No one helps her as she stumbles past them, gripping onto chairs and losing her footing.
She showers and preps for her meeting with her agents later that morning, but something is still off.
When did that happen?
We learn that shes a famous author well, at least on Twitter.
Its not the kind of fame that gives her a fancy condo in Londons most posh neighborhood.
Shes still got a flatmate and feels under pressure to deliver a successful follow-up.
Shes got plenty of friends but cant quite sort out her love life.
The title suggests Arabella fights back, but were not there yet.
Its also quite possible that the destruction is headed toward Arabella.
I May Destroy Youis not just about surviving sexual assault, however.
Its also about navigating the murky waters of consent as dating and hook-up habits change.
Its a weeknight, after all, which only adds to the everyday feeling of this experience.
But when the partys over, even the shows look undergoes a shift in the sober light of day.
Everything looks too bright, strangely blurred and disorienting, echoing Arabellas post-night-out experience.
There will likely be many more ways her world will change in the episodes to come.
While slow at first,I May Destroy Youbegins where it needs to.
Was there something they shouldnt have done, some drink they shouldnt have drunk?
Coel is smart to include those moments where Arabella ignores her phones reminder and keeps drinking.
Its a decision any one of us might and possibly already have made countless times before.
An earlier version of this recap mixed up a few characters names and listed an incorrect episode title.
Its been updated and republished.
