The series PHYSICAL is a conundrum to me. Throughout the past ten episodes, I have been trying to figure out this dark comedy’s message.
It is not all about Sheila’s (Rose Byrne) eating disorder. Nor is about the growth and plight of California real estate and the American mall. The corrupt political world, Reaganomics, and crazy sex all are not what moves this series forward. Rather, it is the sheer force of wanting power that drives Sheila. She has an uncontrollable need to be in charge, and for once in her life, aerobics gives her that opportunity. She is trading her unhealthy obsession with food and her loser husband for another addiction.
The casting of this ensemble was perfect. I disliked most of the characters, and I knew I felt exactly what the writers wanted me to experience. I loved the inner dialogue continually racing inside Sheila’s head. All of us, whether we want to admit it or not, have conversations with ourselves every day. Some cheer us on, and some are truly detrimental to our maturity. Hopefully, becoming the queen of aerobics helps Sheila be the master of her destiny, but we will have to wait for another PHYSICAL season. It has already been renewed.
PHYSICAL is available to stream on Apple tv+.
