“Baby Reindeer” is a dramatic T.V. show created by Richard Gadd. This is a psychological drama that includes obsession, trauma, and all of the different effects from stalking. This show is based on Gadd’s real life experiences. The show has the story of a guy, Donny Dunn, who is a struggling comedian. He is the centered target for a woman named Martha after he had shown he a small act of kindness.
Plot line of this psychological drama show
The story begins with Donny working at a bar aside from trying to build his career as a comedian. One day, Martha, a lonely woman, walks in and begins to talk to him. Feeling sympathy towards her, he gives her some tea and listens to her rant. However, what seems to be just kindness, turns into something much deeper for her. Martha becomes oddly attached to Donny and starts to constantly contact him through emails, visits, texting, and calling. First, Donny tries to ignore it, however the problem grows more overwhelming as Martha starts to feel more intense.
Key part
One of the most interesting parts parts of “Baby Reindeer” is how it focuses on Donny’s feelings and decisions. Instead of showing the situation clearly, it also includes how Donny struggles to deal with all of the attention that he is getting. Throughout the show, he feels sympathy for her while other times he feels frustrated that he is not left alone. This conflict makes the story feel very realistic as it shows how difficult situations like these can affect mental health and self-esteem.
Another strength is the acting. Richard Gadd gives a very emotional and heart felt performance playing Donny. This is because the story is based on his own experiences, which makes it feel genuine and personal. Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, is also a very memorable character. Rather than presenting characters as “good” or “bad,” this show gives viewers a deeper lesson behind people’s actions.
Theme
The most important theme is the long-term impact of trauma. As this story develops, viewers learn that Donny had experienced other traumatic events in his past that affects his confidence and decision making. This show suggests that unresolved trauma can make people feel trapped and not know how to protect themselves. By having a show that includes these topics, “Baby Reindeer” encourages viewers to think about the importance of mental health and talking to someone trusted.
Review
Overall, I think that this is a serious and well thought out series that explores many important topics. While the subject can be intense, the show stands out because of its honesty and strong performance. It gives viewers insight that little things can always lead to bigger things with unexpected consequences.
Rua Fay from Rotten Tomato reviews state, “I cannot possibly recommend this show enough. Richard Gadd, from the bottom of my heart thank you for being so vulnerable in your writing and creating something so vulnerable to share with the world.”
