Melanie McFarland

Seattle

Senior Critic at Salon

@Salon. Former prez @OfficialTCA. Former @PeabodyAwards board. Opinions are mine. Mostly RTs which don't ≠ endorsement. Here, I watch. Elsewhere, I post.

Articles

"The Last of Us" finale tests the limits of our empathy

1 week ago | salon.com | Melanie McFarland

Television is a vehicle built for vicarious experiences, a medium fueled by feeling and thus prone to engaging in manipulation. Some of us are unashamedly expressive about everything, welcoming catharsis in all its forms. But most of us demand that shows earn our heightened reactions with evident arguments. If the closing moments of “The Last of Us” second season finale left you feeling a little unsteady, if not confused or betrayed, you are not alone.
"The Last of Us" finale tests the limits of our empathy

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Melanie McFarland

The following article contains spoilers for "The Last of Us" second season finaleTelevision is a vehicle built for vicarious experiences, a medium fueled by feeling and thus prone to engaging in manipulation. Some of us are unashamedly expressive about everything, welcoming catharsis in all its forms. But most of us demand that shows earn our heightened reactions with evident arguments.
What Judy Blume's "Forever" still gives us — and the teen dramas that followed her won't

2 weeks ago | salon.com | Melanie McFarland

Remembering Judy Blume’s books without replaying our own childhood memories might be impossible. This is mainly a guess, formulated after reading passionate reactions to Mara Brock Akil’s “Forever,” a montage of lip gloss-smacked frames from across ages of girldom.
What Judy Blume's "Forever" still gives us - and the teen dramas that followed her won't

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Melanie McFarland

Remembering Judy Blume’s books without replaying our own childhood memories might be impossible. This is mainly a guess, formulated after reading passionate reactions to Mara Brock Akil’s “Forever,” a montage of lip gloss-smacked frames from across ages of girldom.
"The Last of Us" helps us grieve by leaving nothing unsaid

2 weeks ago | salon.com | Melanie McFarland

We can never fully prepare for the death of someone we care about. Nobody tells you, or if they do, they can’t fully convey what that means. Even if your loved one has time to get their affairs in order, even if you think you’ve told them everything you wanted to say while they could hear it, there will always be details we missed. Questions left unanswered. More haunting, perhaps, are the questions we didn’t think to ask, because we didn’t know better.
"The Last of Us" helps us grieve by leaving nothing unsaid

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Melanie McFarland

We can never fully prepare for the death of someone we care about. Nobody tells you, or if they do, they can’t fully convey what that means. Even if your loved one has time to get their affairs in order, even if you think you’ve told them everything you wanted to say while they could hear it, there will always be details we missed. Questions left unanswered. More haunting, perhaps, are the questions we didn’t think to ask, because we didn’t know better.
The MAGA war on PBS was never about money

2 weeks ago | salon.com | Melanie McFarland

For nearly 30 years, “Arthur” has taught young children about problem-solving and appreciating their peers’ differences. The show's bespectacled title character is a gentle 8-year-old aardvark who spreads the joy of getting along with others. So if you haven’t been keeping up with current events, his militant stance in a recent social media post might have surprised you.
On "Andor," good was always a four-letter word

3 weeks ago | salon.com | Melanie McFarland

“There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy,” says the disembodied voice. “Remember this: Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction.”“Star Wars” and the resulting faith that binds its fandom are built on quotes about the light and dark side of the Force.
On "Andor," good was always a four-letter word

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Melanie McFarland

“There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy,” says the disembodied voice. “Remember this: Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction.”“Star Wars” and the resulting faith that binds its fandom are built on quotes about the light and dark side of the Force.
Joan Rivers would have hated this

3 weeks ago | salon.com | Melanie McFarland

It is impossible to know what Joan Rivers would think about “Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute,” despite her leaving instructions for her daughter Melissa Rivers to pass along to “whatever random producer is producing the show.”Rivers’ favorite scene partner and “Fashion Police” successor closes out the special by sharing that note, which opens with, “If you are reading this, I am dead. And given that I am dead, I assume someone will finally decide to honor me.