In recent months, I have become conscious of an emerging pattern in terms of TV shows. Period dramas are taking over TV in every direction! A period drama is a television show that is set during a specific historical era and uses time-appropriate sets, costumes, and props. Period dramas are, of course, nothing new; the subgenre has been there for a long time. However, there has been a perceptible increase in period dramas aimed at young audiences.

People watch historical dramas for a variety of reasons, including a sense of history, the attire and manners of a medieval society, which they may feel were either superior to or more romantic than our way of life now. Many historical dramas center on the lifestyles of the wealthy, who reside in fortresses, attend balls and other lavish events, and swan around in stunning gowns frequently by candlelight, which gives everything a warm, romantic shine. Some people find period dramas enjoyable because they lack the profanity, violence, explosions, and protracted action sequences that characterize so many modern dramas.

, director of the Media Psychology Research Center, says that period dramas are about people and their human connections, from love stories to comrades in arms. They allow us to experience extremes of emotion without the existential threat. “

These [period] stories are like a flight simulator for life,

They show us ways of being through universal themes of love, betrayal, redemption, innocence, justice, sacrifice, and transformation.

” Dramas set in the past frequently emphasize its beauties rather than its challenges. It’s not necessary for the past to appear as complex as the present when it’s created, as is the case with historical dramas. We can read about the past or see it on television, but we never have to actually go through the complicated and challenging times. Given how challenging their lives already are, this acts as a reassurance to the viewers and keeps them hooked.

Here are few of the most popular period dramas streaming on the OTT platforms that you can binge, and delve into this world of manicured lawns, pretty hats, and fancy carriages.

: Downton Abbey, one of the most popular period dramas of all time, has been a huge success in both the UK and the US. The series, which first launched in 2010, follows the aristocratic lives of the Crawley family between 1912 and 1926. Till date, it’s the most watched television show on both ITV and PBS, and it subsequently became the most successful British costume drama series since the 1981 television series of Brideshead Revisited. The plot involves Robert Crawley, who risks losing the family estate after his heirs die on the Titanic. Soon, the Crawleys are introduced to Matthew, the next heir in line, who resists the aristocratic way of life.

: Bridgerton is an American historical-romance television series based on Julia Quinn’s novels. It is created by Chris Van Dusen and is Shondaland’s first scripted show for Netflix. It revolves around the eponymous Bridgerton family and is set in the competitive world of Regency era London’s during the social season where marriageable youth of nobility and gentry are launched into society. Season one of the series made history on the streaming platform with 82 million viewers worldwide, proving that period dramas are firmly back on trend.

 Henry VIII is renowned as the king who alienated the Catholic Church and changed the course of history by taking six wives. In The Spanish Princess, Catherine of Aragon (Charlotte Hope), who was originally sent to England from Spain to wed the infamous monarch’s elder brother, Arthur, offers a profoundly different perspective on the renowned ruler.

 : Even the fiercest opponents of the monarchy and critics of historical dramas have become fans of The Crown. In order to provide insights into the inner dynamics and operations of the British royal family, the programme centers on Queen Elizabeth II and follows her life from an early age to more recent times. It has won praise for its acting performances, cinematography, and compelling narrative.

 : An adaptation of the classic novel Anne of the Green Gables, revolves around a young orphaned girl who, after an abusive childhood spent in orphanages and the homes of strangers, is mistakenly sent to live with an elderly spinster and her aging brother.

Productions set in the past offer spectators a variety of experiences, including contemporary personalities, compelling historical figures, and renowned literary works based on real and imagined events. Regardless of the source of the story, audiences enjoy spending several hours with the characters to learn more about their storylines as well as for entertainment value. Audiences are transported to a different age by the overall style, ornate clothing, and stunning sets, which draw us deeply into the world we are seeing on television.

Period Dramas: What’s The Hype?

The toughest task for any sport is to increase its audience. They usually have a set demographic for the same, but Formula One has managed to achieve tremendous growth in its audience, thanks to Netflix. Debuting in 2019, the Drive to Survive docu-series has resulted in a 56 percent viewership increase for the sport. An interesting debate succeeds the rising popularity of Formula One – is football finally going to be toppled?

, Netflix has cemented itself into many people’s daily life. A recent phenomenon, called the “

“, has emerged which shows the actual impact of the streaming service. Due to Netflix, things have changed. Our search and buying behaviors have altered dramatically as a result of the growth of the streaming service. For example, a 

 boom was brought on by the drama series 

, which follows the talented young chess player 

. Chess and chess rules searches instantly doubled, while sales of chess sets increased by a staggering 1,000%. By this point, it should be quite evident how Netflix really does have a significant impact on consumers’ purchasing decisions. Netflix is now more than just an entertainment-focused streaming service and at this point has evolved into a trend radar.

One such product of the Netflix Effect is the sport – 

If you are unfamiliar with Formula 1, the fundamental idea is straightforward: drivers drive open-wheel, single-seat racing cars around a track at different venues around the world with one aim in mind – to win the race. The driver who crosses the finish line first after completing a predetermined number of laps is declared the winner.

It’s a combination of determined drivers, famous car manufacturing companies – 

, etc., and a perfect dose of competition and drama.

, a Netflix F1 series is what contributed to the hype surrounding the Formula 1 races. In a recent survey, more than half of the fans who identified themselves as Formula 1 fans attributed their fandom to this behind-the-scenes docu-series. The show debuted in 2019 on Netflix with a 10-episode season, filmed during the previous year’s championship. It has since gained immense popularity by providing a close-up look at a traditionally private sport, resulting in a 56 percent increase in the viewership with the 

. A sport usually has a tremendously difficult time expanding its audience and is rarely able to diversify its fan bases since people have a tendency to become rooted in their ways, and yet Formula 1 managed to achieve this, thanks to the “Netflix effect.”

With more than 400 million viewers, Formula 1 is one of the most popular sports in the world. People are going from ‘

I’ve never watched a Formula 1 race in my life

An excerpt from a recent article reads, “

How popular is Formula 1? Let’s just say football might need to worry

The words provide some interesting food for thought, as football’s dominance as the number one sport in terms of popularity was seemingly unmatched. But with the advent of Formula 1’s rising popularity, coupled with the Netflix Effect, the two might just clash headfirst into each other.

Despite increasing the audience for the sport by portraying everything that occurs both on and off the F1 circuit, the show has faced some harsh criticism. 

, the reigning world champion, is not a big fan of the docu-series and he has been outspoken about his distaste for it, saying that it misrepresented him and other drivers. The main problem is that ‘Drive to Survive’ purposefully edits videos of actual races and driver interactions to give the impression that there is more driver drama than what is the truth. A lot of storylines that don’t really exist have been created to keep the audience engaged.

Some of the Netflix-enhanced rivalries that don’t actually exist and were created to make the show dramatic include the tension between 

 about the seat in McLaren and the portrayal of the tension between 

 when both happen to be friends off the track.

Despite the show’s exaggeration of action, the Netflix Effect remains persistent and has helped this highest class of international racing reach the zenith that it deserves.

The Netflix Effect – Formula One’s Rise to Global Popularity

It is said that we create our own demons. How much truth does this expression hold as far as Artificial Intelligence is concerned? Just like all of mankind’s inventions have a bad effect in the long run, like nuclear weapons, oil extraction technologies, natural gas, and other natural resources, Man’s greatest invention, Artificial Intelligence, stands as a miracle; a clever machine that outperforms humans at various activities. However, will they evolve into conscious robots that start destroying humans and eventually decide to wipe humanity off the face of the Earth?

The replication of human intelligence with machines, particularly computer systems, is known as 

. The idea of AI has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until the middle of the 20th century that British mathematician 

 developed the concept of machine learning.

Artificial intelligence is a technique used for teaching a computer, a robot driven by a computer, or software to think critically and creatively like the human mind. AI is achieved through examining the cognitive process and researching the patterns of the human brain. These research projects produce systems and software that are incredibly intelligent.

Just like every other thing, Artificial Intelligence has its advantages and disadvantages as well. Sure, there are some upsides to relying on AI for most of our activities like reduction in errors, 24/7 availability, faster decision-making, and better handling of information. However, the dark side of Artificial Intelligence may sometimes get a shade too dark.

Everything we love about civilization is a product of intelligence, so amplifying our human intelligence with artificial intelligence has the potential of helping civilization flourish like never before – as long as we manage to keep the technology beneficial

“. But is the amplification of Artificial Intelligence slipping through our fingers?

Let’s be true, mankind has always had the fear of super intelligent AI systems. In pop culture, films like 

 are all a reflection of the same. So before discussing the real problems that AI can cause us, let’s bust some myths established regarding them. One of the biggest myths is that AI will develop a conscience and turn evil, annihilating everyone in its path. While this is unsettling, the actual concern is that AI will have objectives that aren’t compatible with ours. There won’t be much we can do to stop them once that happens. While this is not bound to happen in this lifetime, given the speed at which technology is advancing and the safety precautions put in place, it is still highly improbable for an AI invasion to occur even in hundreds of years.

Al is consistently portrayed in the movies as a menacing robot with laser cannons and indestructibility. But an Al won’t need a body to act badly; all it needs is a place online, and then all hell can break out. Let’s take a look at the realistic threats AI possesses to humankind.

: The existence of a vast amount of valuable data is a crucial requirement for a successful AI model. However, sending all the information to the software raises another issue, namely, the security and protection of our data. Is it susceptible to hacker attacks or is it adequate to protect users’ sensitive information?

: AI-based systems may provide the most cutting-edge, self-destructive weapons. But because we are separated by national borders, a select few developed nations who have access to more advanced weaponry have an advantage over others. This not only benefits a small group of privileged individuals but also increases the risk of world war and other dangers to the destruction of humanity. Another very crucial concern is raised by the massive growth of nuclear power – can we trust a computer to handle such massive and critical information?

: Another concern raised with the introduction of AI-based bots was the gaping hole it will leave in the employment sector. We are replacing the individuals who do certain jobs with AI bots due to improvements in the monitoring systems in the industries. This is leaving a significant void in the employment market. Is AI sufficient to offer enough possibilities to accommodate everyone?

“. He thinks that robot leadership poses a threat to the planet and that artificial intelligence has the potential to start the next world war, and ultimately dominate it. He also cautions that when those competent AIs evolve into merciless autocrats, there will be no way for the planet to survive. He said, “

We need to be extremely careful with AI since they are potentially more destructive than nukes

”. Additionally, he recommends being proactive rather than reactive when everything fails. He thinks that better controls and laws should be in place as AI is developed. The irony here is that Elon Musk, despite believing in the existential risk AI possesses, has spent enormous resources on tech industries that are responsible for the development of intelligent machinery; for example, his brand of self-driving cars – 

Whether or not the evolution of Artificial Intelligence poses an apocalyptical threat to mankind is a matter of speculation, but only at the moment. In the years to come, with the rapid digitalization of information, anything is possible. After all, it took us thousands of years to touch the skies, and only a few more to reach the moon. The pace at which the planet moves is scary. And we just might see a different dominant species take over if we deal the wrong cards.

When Elon Musk said, “AI is More Dangerous than Nukes.”

Fiction often portrays characters as Black or White. This is especially true for early cinema and literature, where heroes were perfectly good knights on a mission to vanquish absolute wicked dragons and save the heroine from the beast’s clutches. With time, as cinema and literature have evolved, there has been an influx of morally grey characters – the anti-heroes. There’s something about such fictional personas that speaks to the general audience. The morally ambiguous character trope is now a multifaceted stereotype that is more accurate to reality than fiction, even if they do terrible things for a noble purpose or one they mistakenly believe to be good.

I started writing this article after I had a debate with one of my acquaintances regarding a very eminent character – Severus Snape from the 

. The said person believed that Snape reads like the caricature of abusive male protagonists who are eventually not only forgiven but also celebrated because they did the right thing in the end, no matter for what reasons, no matter how late into the game; and you are supposed to like them because they have a sob story.

My argument against this notion was, that Snape was a broken person. He was someone who wouldn’t miss life and whom life wouldn’t miss. He was despised. He knew he never mattered to anyone and that’s what made him guarded. He only had himself to look out for him, which made him set up walls around him, turning him bitter and rude. Situations make a person, and how Snape found himself to be as a grown-up was a culmination of a long chain of events that led up to the moment in which he developed his sense of morality. The fact that his character was not only forgiven but also celebrated brings faith in the power of redemption.

Earlier, fictional words were divided into 

 characters. With the evolution of both cinema and literature, we started seeing relatable reflections in our favorite stories when morally grey characters were introduced. The anti-heroes, who operate on the thin line between what’s traditionally good and bad started intriguing the general audience. While we may not concur with the choices of these ethically conflicted characters, we are, in many cases, offered the chance to grasp their hidden motives through their sob stories. It is this element that appeals to the audience as they can relate more with the characters now. Their choices, which earlier appeared to be wrong, suddenly become admirable or at least understandable. They leave the rigid outline of black and white and enter a grey area, showcasing their psychological complexities and making them appear more realistic.

In fact, let’s have a look at some of the very prominent morally grey characters who are thoroughly loved and admired by the audience –

 We might see Batman as a hero, especially due to his strict moral code and refusal to kill offenders, but that doesn’t change the fact that this Gotham City’s Dark Knight aces in breaking laws and we simply dismiss his actions because ultimately, it’s for the right cause.

: Remember Wanda Maximoff and Pietro Maximoff, as in The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver? It was a bomb manufactured by Stark Industries that killed their parents. Despite being several shades of grey as a character, Tony Stark aka Iron Man continues to be the beloved hero that he is.

Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones: Tyrion Lannister is one of the most beloved characters in both the books and the TV show because he’s funny, and his unapologetically confessional wit often acts as an excuse for the killing and horrendous things that he does.

Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter saga: If Draco Malfoy was pure evil, he would have killed Dumbledore without a second thought. But he was frightened and worried, and ultimately couldn’t do it. Draco is morally grey because of his doubts. He makes one wrong decision after another and his doubts start piling up, and eventually, they help him progress toward the right path.

: Who is a better example of a morally grey character than Damon Salvatore? When he first appears in the series, he is the most hated character. But gradually as the seasons progress, the villain actually turns out to be the hero. Not only Elena but also the audience falls in love with the perfect modern-day embodiment of an anti-hero.

It’s simple to predict a character’s potential course of behaviour in any given circumstance when they are motivated by moral goodness. You essentially know that the worst this hero will ever do is struggle with the urge of stepping out of line. On the other hand, morally dubious personalities will undoubtedly surprise you. They have more richly-developed personalities that challenge our ethical narratives.

In conclusion, it is the aim, the motive that distinguishes a villain from someone who is morally grey. Investigating the motivations behind a character’s behaviour showcases their morals. We all make mistakes and have reasons for doing or not doing things. People are frequently drawn to morally grey personalities because they identify with their flaws and traits.

I think, with all humans, the duality of human nature is such a common theme throughout the history of stories and nobody is wholly good or wholly evil and as much as we strive to be good we just sometimes can’t help ourselves. We’re naturally creatures of short-term orientation and instant gratification and as much as we want to make the right choice all the time, we don’t always think about long-term consequences

Characters can develop significantly during the course of a movie or television show, and their internal moral conflict is what makes them human and appealing. If you have been evil, it doesn’t mean you have to stay evil. After all, we are humans, each learning to be more of Heaven’s than of Hell’s.

Articles by Mariam Tuba

Period Dramas: What’s The Hype?

The Netflix Effect – Formula One’s Rise to Global Popularity

When Elon Musk said, “AI is More Dangerous than Nukes.”

The line between Good and Evil

Period Dramas: What’s The Hype?

The Netflix Effect – Formula One’s Rise to Global Popularity

When Elon Musk said, “AI is More Dangerous than Nukes.”

The line between Good and Evil