Date: 15/12/2021 - 30/12/2021
Author Name: Aishwarya Krishna Priya
Qualifications: IB Psychology, English Literature, and Film Studies (HL), French Ab, Math Studies and Environmental Systems and Societies (SL). BA - Psychology, English Literature, and Journalism, MBA - Human Resource Management, MA - Psychology (India), MSc - Mental Health (UK).
Designation: Founder and chief psychologist, ACRO Mental Health Services.
TV series review
Word count: 690
Reading time: 6 minutes
Reviewed by: Sashi Preetam
Trinkets TV Series Information
Created by: Amy Andelson, Emily Meyer, Kirsten Kiwi Smith
Production by: Awesomeness TV and Two Blocks Apart Production
Starring: Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira, and Quintessa Swindell.
Based on the book: Trinkets (2013). Authored by: Kirsten Smith
Streaming on: Netflix
ACRO Star Rating: 5/5
Do you ever think to yourself what life would have been if you kept stealing for the sake of stealing and the kick of it? Do you ever come across a situation when you have to make quick choices and bear the consequences? Does it ever occur to you that your teenage years play a vital role in nurturing the personality traits and circles you have? Does it bother you that the same adolescent years are why you fall in and out of trouble quite often?
Sometimes, we find comfort even in the smallest of objects or activities we do. Trinkets is a show that talks about three young teenagers and their undermined struggles with shoplifting aka kleptomania in technical terms, love, friendship, school, and family. The show’s main plot is how kleptomania is the reason for three young very different girls who come together and face everyday challenges.
You can notice that this TV show brilliantly highlights genuine mental health concerns that many teenagers and young adults face while growing up. Although it doesn't necessarily emphasize all characters (supporting cast) being kleptomaniacs, it most certainly shows how a habit like shoplifting can change everyone's lives around. Other mental health concerns like anger, aggression, frustration, stress, unresolved interpersonal issues, accidental trauma, sexual trauma etc are shown in the most precise way possible.
The three friends try to keep their friendship a hushed affair (a secret) and form a bond after knowing about their habits. However, as the series progresses, one of the main characters (Moe Truax) mentions that she wrongfully got herself accused of theft in order to save a friend who was already a major and would get entangled in legal issues. So, she took the blame onto herself and got connected to Shoplifters Anonymous (SA) for counselling and support being a minor. We also see that Moe resorts to shoplifting after revealing her secret, just like her counterparts, Elodie Davis and Tabitha Foster.
SA is a fictional support group in the show that these girls usually go to hear and understand how important it is to unlearn and curb stealing from one another. It’s also shown how the girls have unresolved emotional issues with people in their lives, and to get over these traumatic incidences, they resort to shoplifting. They find comfort, emotional support, strength and happiness in sharing their struggles and triumphs.
Although it’s been well acknowledged in the series that shoplifting or kleptomania is a serious crime with legal consequences, the very fact that many people ignore or do not notice about shoplifting is what the show is all about, and as rightly named Trinkets is about those little things that make you happy. The story unravels and justifies all character sketches and unwinds on a happy note with all three girls enjoying themselves on a beach after planning one final act of calling it kindness unto themselves or the world.
The cast and crew have done a wonderful job in trying to weave a story that best fits today’s times. You can see that in the way the screenplay has been scripted to suit a television audience of a certain age group. The storyline has not been stretched too far but has been limited to two seasons only by highlighting the many issues concerned with shoplifting, betrayals, friendships, young love, family ties, school life, social media and the many perks of being a teenager in the 21st century. All the actors have made their characters come alive and seem to have done a splendid job in playing their roles. We can also see two special guest appearances enacted by Ms Larisa Oleynik and Mr Andrew Keegan of the hit romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You fame.
The television or film industry in Hollywood has seen a steady face shift in how it portrays mental health on screen. More weightage and effort is put into persuading individuals to seek help for mental health concerns, issues, and diagnosed disorders. One must rightly identify the behavioural patterns in young children and adults and try to get them to seek help. Always make sure that every child gets the emotional support, affection and love they need. Preventive measures and strategies are a different ball game altogether but essential in curbing such behaviours.
In conclusion, all those who wish to understand how difficult someone's teenage years can be should definitely binge-watch this series at some point. The show is very informative, educational and entertaining!
Audio-Visual Credits
1) Image available on IMBd, unable to locate original source.
2) Photo by Christelle BOURGEOIS on Unsplash
3) Photo by Jane Boyd & ECE Workshops on Unsplash
4) Photo by Levi Guzman on Unsplash
7) Photo by Sam Moqadam on Unsplash
REFERENCES
Trinkets. Netflix app: Awesomeness TV, Two Blocks Production and Netflix; 2019.
NOTE
The above article is a TV series review that highlights real mental health concerns and the author's personal views on the subject matter. It must be noted that the review highlights how mental health issues have been portrayed well in the series and complements the production on carrying out a wonderful project. This is not a paid or sponsored article and any unnecessary trolling will be disregarded and stopped.
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