Some critics expressed delight simply at feeling represented on television for the first time. The nuanced portrayal of an Asian American woman steers clear of easy stereotypes, even just with the refusal to give Sandra Oh's Ji-Yoon a more "Americanized" name. These reviews clearly establish that The Chair’s strength lies with Ji-Yoon’s compelling yet messy characterization and her even messier relationships. It feels like a genuine exploration, a dramatised discussion of intergenerational differences and divides that few are seeking to take the heat out of and examine with real interest." " It’s a great achievement that none of this feels worthy or didactic. Insofar as institutions are intent on keeping intact the hierarchies and structural inequalities that allow the system to go on as usual, both faculty and students can be treated as collateral damage." " Crucially, the series also shows us that universities, caricatured as they are by the right as bastions of progressive thought, are actually deeply entrenched, culturally conservative institutions whose foremost concern is liability. It shows us how all those people function in a world that looks pretty close to real life: funny, and melancholy, and a constant shambles, where the best you can hope for is a spot to settle comfortably, one that won’t completely collapse under your own weight." " It understands that every person - whether you’re the daughter of a busy single mother, a frustrated student, or a scholar worried you’ve aged out of relevancy - ultimately is just trying to feel seen and wanted. … Then there’s the uneasy situation that Ji-Yoon, like so many Asian Americans in elite workplaces, finds herself in - more accepted by White gatekeepers than their Black or Brown counterparts, their proximity to power and leadership then interpreted, rightly or wrongly, as political complacency." " But the best reason to sit through the anemic first four episodes is for the series’ deepening portrayal of a Korean American woman in situations seldom explored in pop culture. She's a single mom with an adopted daughter Ju-Ju (Everly Carganilla), and she's a liberal arts professor not a scientist, not an engineer or a doctor." She's one of the only TV characters that I know of who goes by her Korean name, and not a watered down, anglicised version of it. " Ji-Yoon's characterisation does not adhere to the usual Asian American stereotypes in pop culture. It’s a relief, then, to see her dig into something like 'The Chair,' which only sparingly requires that skill." So will leave it at one obvious: Sandra Oh rules! And I could swear that Pembroke University MISS." Oh consistently does the kind of acting that can smooth bumpy scripts to sell just about anything. But every single academic out there already did. Many viewers believe the setting has a very similar feel to the famous British campus, but it is not the same place.įans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the series and the stunning locations, with one saying: "Just finished #TheChair and felt like commentating. The campus must not be confused with the real Pembroke College, which forms part of the University of Oxford. Filming during Pittsburgh winter? Not so much." In another post, they said: " Filming Netflix's The Chair at ChathamU? 'Like we won the lottery,' according to Writer & Executive Producer Amanda Peet. They said: "Watching the premiere of The Chair on Netflix like We can't wait to spot all the ChathamU locations and props (like Andy Mellon's portrait!) tonight at our watch party, 8pm in Eddy Theatre!."
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