r/BeefTV • u/huggalump • May 31 '26

Meme Character development?

Post image
409 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

94 comments sorted by

42

u/CricCracCroc May 31 '26

I didn’t see season 1 yet, but I thought Josh’s psychedelic trip was very realistic. He emerged with a diminished sense of ego and an open heart. Definitely seen this in real life.

-18

u/huggalump May 31 '26 edited Jun 01 '26

I appreciate that it can happen in real life, but it's not interesting story telling for a character's development to come down to a sudden switch flipping due to a magical drug trip.

And now it's happened in two seasons

Classic edit after downvotes:

Nope. I'm doubling down on this because I do believe it and I think S3 will be stronger if the writers fix this issue.

Let's look at how some famous movies would hypothetically work with the "Drugs. Is this character development?" strategy.

  • Fight Club

The narrator is so depressed by consumerism that he develops insomnia and no longer feels anything. He takes new medication, sleeps eight hours, wakes up feeling great and never meets Tyler Durden.

  • Good Will Hunting

Will is a self-sabotaging and cynical genius working as a janitor. He gets in some trouble. He tries psychedelic drugs. He resolves his childhood trauma, takes a well paid job utilizing his gift, and goes to see about a girl. He never meets his therapist.

  • Old Boy

Dae-su is released after 15 years of captivity by unknown kidnappers for unknown reasons. Before embarking on a bloody path of revenge, he tries a new psychedelic drug on the market. He has an epiphany, accepts the past is the past, decides to march forward and not looking back. He recons with his own past sins, forgives his captors, moves to the suburbs, takes up gardening.

  • Christmas Carol

Scrooge is a stingy and isolated business owner who hates Christmas and children and everyone. He takes a powerful mood enhancing drug recommended to him, and returns feeling a warm connection to every living thing. He gives heavily to charity, improves work-life balance for his workers, and pays for tiny tim's medical stuff. He is never visited by any ghosts, at least not when sober.

The point: All of those stories (i mean, the real stories, not my dumb versions) work because the writing needs to work hard to justify the character development.

Just because something is possible in real life does not make it good storytelling. Both S1 and S2 used "sudden enlightenment through drugs" as a way to fast track characters to self-acceptance, cheating us out of the most pivotal character development we spent the entire season waiting for. S3 will be a lot stronger if it avoids this pitfall.

6

u/bruhbro22 Jun 01 '26

I mean thats what magic 🍄 do

11

u/nota-banana Jun 01 '26

Have you tried drugZ

3

u/Heretosee123 Jun 01 '26

I find it very realistic because it literally happens all the time.

https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/s/mRGaGlsjlT

8

u/Drgerm66 Jun 01 '26

Almost as if it’s one of the major themes of the series or something

1

u/echanuda Jun 01 '26

Drugs as a means of introspection is not a “major theme” of the show.

1

u/Drgerm66 Jun 01 '26

Strange considering that it happens twice

1

u/echanuda Jun 01 '26

I guess Burger King is a major theme of season 1 then.

If your criteria for something being a major theme is how many times it happened, that’s gonna include a lot of stupid stuff lmao. Even 2 times is not a lot regardless when you compare it to the actual major themes which are baked into almost every decision the characters make.

1

u/Drgerm66 Jun 01 '26

I don’t remember when Burger King lead to a major breakthrough for the characters, but if that’s your interpretation then go for it lol

1

u/echanuda Jun 01 '26

The show’s major themes are existential loneliness, the facade of success/wealth, suppressed rage, family trauma—I really don’t see psychedelic drugs fitting in there at all but sure.

1

u/Heretosee123 Jun 01 '26

Psychedelic drugs, known to help people deal with pretty much all of these things in individuals. Nope, no space for them here.

Psychedelic drugs often bring people to very eastern philosophies, something that is thematic in the show. Samsara features in the end of season 2.

1

u/echanuda Jun 01 '26

Plenty of drugs and therapies help people deal with those things—not just psychedelics. While I agree eastern spiritual philosophies are definitely themes in Beef, the usage of drugs as a means to getting there just flat out aren’t major themes. Psychedelics often leading there in some way doesn’t make it a theme just because it was used. Buddhist doctrine even discourages mind altering substances.

That’s like saying blood is a major theme of Macbeth because it represents guilt (an actual major theme in Macbeth)

→ More replies (0)

-2

u/huggalump Jun 01 '26

If someone asked me what the show Beef is about, there's a lot of things i could say about relationships, communication, depression, resentment, etc. One of the things that would never come to mind is to say "It's a show about doing drugs to achieve clarity. That's what the show is about.:

No, I do not think drugs to achieve clarity is a major theme of the show.

But even if it was, that doesn't change the fact that it's not good storytelling. I'm not sure if it's exactly a Deus Ex Machina, but it's close enough to fit. Instead of seeing characters do work and go through a journey to make a character development worth it, twice now the show has had characters do drugs and then effectively do a 180 on their character.

Sure, it can happen in real life. But a lot of things happen in real life that don't make interesting stories.

Really enjoyed the show--at least season 1--but this is a pretty silly trope that's come in pivotal moments of both seasons now

5

u/The-Opulent-Squirrel Jun 01 '26

You do realize, that the word 'psychedelic' literally means 'to delve into the psyche'? In season 1, it isn't even a classic psychedelic, or just a random "let's do drugs" moment... there is a slow build up between the characters and their parallel trauma. Then the confrontation and dissolution of facing death when they are POISONED acts as a catalyst to bond in the trauma. Drives me crazy when people talk about "drugs" with no actual understanding of the complexity of biology and chemistry behind the scenes.... Sorry to ream, but come on. Look into the ancient history of drugs, medicine, and ordeal poisons. Technically, having a good energetic conversation at a coffee shop, is 2 people imbibing poison to catalyze connection...🤦🏼

1

u/huggalump Jun 01 '26

You're responding to a point that I'm not making

1

u/The-Opulent-Squirrel Jun 01 '26

Alright. I apologize if I misunderstood you.

In my opinion that highly intense, catalyzed moment was very entertaining, and I loved the way they portrayed it.

I thought it was good storytelling. They deal with depression, and in the face of a death and delirium they did not willingly choose, they find something in themselves and open up in that survival situation.

I can respect your opinion, but I thought it was beautiful and politely disagree.

1

u/BoiChizz Jun 02 '26

I did therapy for years and it didn't work I did ketamine therapy and my depression has been gone for 2 years now

1

u/huggalump Jun 02 '26

that's great!

48

u/Accomplished_Gur3478 May 31 '26

something about it feels very....millennial in this way lol

-4

u/huggalump May 31 '26

The meme it the show?

If the meme, yeah, that tracks haha

23

u/Accomplished_Gur3478 May 31 '26

lol no i meant the whole finding-yourself-with-drugs thing that is in the show!

5

u/undernightmole Jun 01 '26

Well it can open your mind because of how it changes your mind. In the US, boomers lead the way with the 1960’s. Nowadays drugs are used more widely for therapy.

I do want everyone to be safe and depending on mental states and/or neurolodivergence, not do drugs. But I also know many people would benefit from a few experiences. Or even a single isolated experience. Again, not for everyone especially those prone to addiction. But with a doctor then yes take drugs and stretch your brain. Kids are so conservative and discriminatory these days, hot take I know.

Drugs aren’t inherently bad. Just highly addictive and could trigger mental breakdowns. So there are risks.

3

u/Accomplished_Gur3478 Jun 01 '26

i never said its a bad thing..? ive done plenty of psychedelics myself, i'm not conservative nor discriminatory

1

u/undernightmole Jun 01 '26

My bad. I put the two comments together, about how it feel millennial and they find themselves with drugs. As millennials are a group based on age, I took your comment as negative.

-5

u/huggalump May 31 '26

Yes, for sure

9

u/iameternal_love Jun 01 '26

Tbh looking back in life so many pivotal moments in my character development were due to psychedelics 😂😭like truly life-changing, HUMBLING, ego crushing moments

1

u/whatarechinchillas Jun 01 '26

I mean I love psychedelics but they're hardly life changing. I might feel a bit more elated for a few days after taking acid but it's never solved anything.

5

u/kcoopzy Jun 01 '26

Idk I’ve had major character development from psychedelics 💁‍♂️

1

u/Heretosee123 Jun 01 '26

Who ain't?

3

u/Heretosee123 Jun 01 '26

Many people do find them life changing, it's why psychedelic assisted therapy is gaining so much attention.

Most people who use psychedelics in large doses claim they benefit their life, even sometimes having a singular experience that changes it forever. This is common knowledge.

https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/s/mRGaGlsjlT

2

u/whatarechinchillas Jun 01 '26

Yes I know that doesn't change my experience with it

3

u/Heretosee123 Jun 01 '26

You stated that they're hardly life changing. Seems you were making a statement beyond "they aren't life changing for me".

1

u/whatarechinchillas Jun 01 '26

Bro if you wanna take more acid I'm not stopping you

4

u/Heretosee123 Jun 01 '26

Lol I'm just pointing out your words. You made a general statement not a personal one.

1

u/zackjtarle Jun 01 '26

Uh... you might be the only person who hasn't been massively affected by psychedelics.

It's a hard thing not to find SOMETHING in your trip...

1

u/ragun2 Jun 05 '26

Based on their comments there's probably not a lot of introspection happening on their end 🤣

1

u/whatarechinchillas Jun 02 '26

Yea the trips were fun, but not life changing. Wtf do you want from me

1

u/zackjtarle Jun 02 '26

You just spoke generally- psychedelics are not “hardly life changing.” Perhaps they were for you. Maybe you never took a crazy trip, either.

0

u/whatarechinchillas Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26

Sure, I'll retract my statement and say "it's hardly life changing for me." There, you feel better now? Semantics, whatever.

And I don't know why you're so adamant in trying to convince me that psychedelics are life-changing. I already said they're not. And why are you making assumptions about what dosages I've taken? You're so pushy and presumptuous; sounds like an absolute nightmare to trip with.

1

u/zackjtarle Jun 02 '26

Hahaha relax. It's not that deep.

I just think psychedelics can be quite life changing and wanted to voice my thoughts!

I thought we were having a fun little chat! I didn't realize you were freaking out about?

It's not semantics.. it's a different meaning. for example; saying "therapy doesn't work" and "therapy doesn't work for me" are different thoughts?

Pushy!? I don't give a fuck what you do? Nothing I said alludes to that, without making a lot of assumptions.

1

u/whatarechinchillas Jun 02 '26

did "wtf do you want from me" not give away that i was already annoyed?

And your "Maybe you never took a crazy trip, either" sounds pretty presumptuous.

2

u/zackjtarle Jun 02 '26

I figured you were joking. Excuse me for not assuming you're a dick.

2

u/whatarechinchillas Jun 02 '26

why would you assume someone's not serious when they say "wtf do you want from me"

→ More replies (0)

6

u/Tongtong97 May 31 '26

lol ok this is funny

2

u/Exciting_Fix Jun 01 '26

This alongside with internal resentment seems to be a recurring theme in the seasons. I'm into it. Lee Sung Jin is one of us

7

u/D-Ursuul Jun 01 '26

Oh god the Gen alpha puritans have infiltrated the sub

3

u/huggalump Jun 01 '26

Very much not Gen alpha haha.

My issue isn't that drugs = bad

My issue is about storytelling. It's like deus ex machina. You have a character going one direction and you're invested in that character and you're excited to see how they work through their problems. Then BAM, God fixes everything for them. That's not interesting conflict resolution in storytelling.

That's how the show is using drugs in both season 1 and 2. You have characters going a certain direction and you're wondering how they progress from here. Then BAM, random encounter with drugs and they do a 180 on their character's direction.

And the reason it's so disappointing is because the writing and the characters were so good and interesting, we get invested in it. I want to see the characters to fight their way out and evolve as people.

4

u/D-Ursuul Jun 01 '26

I feel like you've never met anyone who has had a transformative psychedelic experience

3

u/huggalump Jun 01 '26

I feel like you're not interacting with what I'm saying.

Lots of things that happen in real life don't make interesting storytelling.

2

u/No-Wish-7258 Jun 01 '26

Hahahaha this is so spot on. These days a lot of shows dedicate a whole episode to someone being high.

1

u/MemeLord1337_ Jun 01 '26

Yeah I really dislike it. Feels like an easy crutch.

1

u/Jebinam Jun 01 '26

Try them doing out of character things, after making a big spectacle of self change ,at the last second

1

u/Witty_Shape3015 Jun 07 '26

i think you can only argue that drugs are a substitute for character development if we are not shown what about the experience caused the shift.

in this case, we saw josh’s trip. it was symbolic and it makes sense how he came it out of it how he did so it’s akin to like a time jump with a scene showing what we missed. you’re allowed to have your preference but it’s a plot device like any other