T.V in a pandemic

 

   It is interesting to see how several television shows are incorporating the pandemic into their story-lines. I wonder how this will go over. 

   “The Connors” and “Black-ish” are dealing with the pandemic with humor, finding funny, cleve, refreshing ways to reinforce proper COVID etiquette.  “This is Us” incorporates it in a very straight-forward, non-intrusive ways, with characters simply wearing masks when out among others. On the other hand, at least in the first two episodes this season which deal explicitly with the pandemic, “The Good Doctor,” because it takes place in a hospital, is a sad slog, like watching a Frontline documentary, with patient after patient dying and the doctors, whether suited up like astronauts or at home in despair, exhausted and frustrated.    

   It’s tricky.  On the one hand, showing the pandemic makes sense, and not showing it would be weird.  It can also model ways to deal with it, like wearing masks and finding other ways to do things like celebrate holidays.  On the other hand, television provides an escape, which would indicate that things on television shows should go on with life as normal, without COVID.  Or would this just be depressing, a reminder of what we’re missing?