Watching films and TV shows is the easiest way to escape our harsh reality, even for a few hours, in these times when we’re experiencing anxiety, uncertainty, and depression all at once. If all we need is a little bit of hope, and if hope is, as Erich Fromm describes it, “to want, to look for new ways to achieve those desires, to find those ways, and to persevere”, then some can find solace in crying their hearts out on someone’s shoulder or watching a cosy film with a happy ending. Some may prefer getting lost for a few hours in another world, and maybe in another time. All this opens a new window to make us breathe a little easier within this dark fog that blankets us.
It’s not a coincidence, that the recently popular TV show Bridgerton has become one of the most watched productions among the ocean of options on Netflix. Being teleported into a world that belongs to a fairy-tale; draped in fancy dresses and diamonds, dancing at parties, and waking up every morning to hear savoury gossip...
And love. Passionate, hurtful, tantalizing love – the kind of
love that makes you appreciate someone “with each flaw, embarrassment, and scar of dark memories.” Bridgerton meets these expectations and gives the audience exactly what it needs nowadays. Daphne naturally chooses ‘love’ and the handsome duke over the prince. As expected of good drama, the first season makes sure all mysteries are solved and offers a happy ending, defying the uncertainty that permeates all corners of our lives.
LOVE AND FORESAKING
Sometimes real life can be as magical as TV shows. In the midsummer of 2016, a handsome prince and an American actress met on a blind date in London. Meghan was a beautiful, confident, attractive woman while Harry was a charming and amicable member of the Royal Family. After a few glasses of wine, came dinner, and a conversation that lasted hours, by the end of the night Harry was convinced that he had found the love of his life. And the feeling was mutual. After their second date, the couple decided to go on a holiday in South Africa. The intensity of new blooming love was reinforced with a sense of longing, loaded with new meaning with each ultra-luxurious surprise. Concerned that the magic might die, the couple made an enormous effort to keep their relationship from the media. When they were first seen in public, holding hands at an event in Canada in September 2017, it was very easy to see how happy and excited they both were. However, the media would not leave the intriguing couple alone. One evening at Harry’s house in England, while having an ordinary dinner, he got down on one knee and asked Meghan to spend ‘forever’ with him; presenting a ring that formerly belonged to his late mother, with an added diamond from Botswana where they spent their first holiday together. However, the wonderful news also meant forsaking some things.
Meghan left the country she lived in, her career, family, and friends to settle down in London. Over the course of this story which began like a fairy-tale, their increasing popularity, the pressure from the media, and the ruthless criticism put a damper on the happiness of the couple, seen as the dynamic and modern representation of royalty. In September 2019, during an official visit to Africa, Harry and Meghan clearly showed that something wasn’t right in their lives. A difficult year resulted in the couple’s decision to take a six-week break from their royal duties. The goal was to be away, in the United States, far from the prying eyes and the bullying media and to plan their next step. With the New Year, they were ready to take control and move forward because the love and commitment they felt for each other prevailed royalty, traditions, and all titles. The couple started a brand new joyous life with their son Archie and two dogs at their 14-million-dollar mansion in California.
GRATUITOUS LOVE
Aside from love stories that have a happy ending, there also are some types of love which do not expect any reciprocity. Jennifer Aniston, who always found happiness in her films has famously said, “The best scent in the world is the scent of your beloved,” doesn’t think that unluckiness or wrong choices in love have anything to do with the fact that she is sleeping with her two dogs at night. “Whether I have a man or children in my life, I feel as complete as I have ever been,” Aniston says. “Love is very exciting but people who come into your life leave after a while, and all you have left are your dogs and their unconditional love. And I wouldn’t change that for anything.” Maybe this is a type of love that makes people the happiest.