Giants

From 2017 to 2018, YouTube hosted an impactful and profound web series known as Giants. The series was created by the immensely talented James Bland who also starred in the show and has been hailed for its real, raw, and unfiltered depiction of the struggles of young adults navigating life. The show dived deep into the abyss of intricate character arcs and societal themes, making it rise above other web series of its kind.

Over two gripping seasons, Giants gravitated around the lives of three African-American friends based in Los Angeles, all in their mid-twenties, and each fighting their own personal battles against their metaphorical 'giants'. This thought-provoking drama series was as much a nuanced exploration of social issues as it was a deep dive into the fragile yet unfathomable human psyche.

The main characters, Malachi, Journee, and Ade, are shown to wrestle with their own individual and shared problems, encompassing a spectrum of issues including mental health, sexual identity, economic predicament, and social acceptance. Malachi, played by James Bland himself, is a character battling with his liberalism while trying to maintain his economic stability. Journee, interpreted by the brilliant Vanessa Baden Kelly, showcases the journey of a woman wrestling with her bipolar disorder while striving to function normally in her day-to-day interactions. Lastly, Sean Samuels as Ade presents a character grappling with his sexual identity in a society that loves to label and categorize.

From the title itself, the series metaphorically paints these issues as 'giants', symbolizing the significant and overwhelming struggles each individual faces in their life. These giants are perpetually veiled under their smiles, imposing an internal battleground that requires immense courage, fortitude, and resilience to emerge victorious.

The series boasts apt and intellectual storytelling. Narratively, it is replete with intense, intimate, and hyper-realistic scenes that strike poignant chords of emotional connection with the audience. It depicts a brave portrayal of characters that are not perfect but are resilient and enduring. It breaks the mold by refusing to cushion the stark realities of life with the comfort of clichés, offering instead a resolute, persistent, and often painful exploration of personal and societal challenges.

Giants' storytelling prowess is boosted by commendable performances by its star-studded cast, who are both compelling and convincing in their roles, ensuring that the empathy felt for their characters is deeply rooted and personal. This in combination with Bland's visionary direction, adds to the relatability and authenticity of the series.

The show is strikingly meaningful and carries with it the weight of expressing the challenges of marginalized individuals. It sets itself apart by presenting three-dimensional characters who are neither categorized as black or white but rather exist in the entire spectrum of grays – reflecting the complications and subtleties of real life.

Furthermore, the series wonderfully interprets the themes of friendship, mutual understanding, and empathy, adding another layer to the script's reality. It traces the bond shared by the trio as they navigate the labyrinth of life and support each other through the chaos, underscoring the indispensable charm of human connections that hold the power to heal, transform, and inspire.

Visually, Giants is as expressive as its script. The cinematography delivers brilliant shots that complement the overall narrative tone of the series, enhancing the engaging and emotive quotient of the show. The lines between reality and imagination are often blurred, merging physical narrative with introspective journeys, providing an immersive viewing experience.

Giants is a show that transcends generic storytelling and confronts the viewers with realities they would rather ignore, casting a light on problems that are easier left in the dark. It captivates the audience, keeping them on the edge of their seats throughout its run-time, constantly guessing what would happen next. Giants offers a narrative that is hauntingly beautiful, brutally honest, and strikingly real, all the while draped in a refreshing honesty that serves as the series' driving force.

The burgeoning popularity of Giants from 2017 to 2018 exemplifies its resonating power that speaks to all humans, regardless of age, race, or gender. It isn't a show for mindless consumption; rather, it compels the audience to introspect, question, and consider. Giants isn't just a show, it's an experience - raw, relatable, revealing, and deeply resonating.