Representation 4: The cycle of abuse

"Quicksand" - TV Show

Sebastian: "Say that it's you and me.  Say it."

Maya: "It's you and me."

 

Narrative

Quicksand is a Swedish TV Show which appears to be about a school shooting however the underlying theme of the show is about the events that take place prior to the shooting that detail an abusive relationship between a young girl Maya and a young boy Sebastian.  The show weaves in and out of the past and present and shows glimpses of the tragedy will unfold.  In the beginning the audience is led to believe that the relationship between the two is perfect and idealistic however the reality is far from true with Sebastian, a victim of his own father’s emotional abuse and neglect, turns on Maya and begins to emotionally abuse and manipulate her.  The show brings forward many issues that youth may face as they are growing up such as parental abuse and neglect, suicide attempts, drug use and sex which are common themes shown in popular culture.  What is unique about this show is that it shows the cycle of abuse and whilst doesn’t excuse Sebastian’s behaviour it shows the potential consequences of abuse in young people’s lives.  In the end Maya feels trapped in her situation and loses her sense of self before finally Sebastian cracks under his own self-imposed pressure and two people end up dead. (211 Words)

Scholarly Article

This TV show brings forward negative events in young people’s lives with the abuse cycle and providing background into the behaviours of the main protagonist Sebastian.  With social media now becoming a huge part of young people’s lives and digital media becoming the primary mode of communication between teenagers in intimate relationships, Hellevik (2019) explains that digital victimization is also becoming more prevalent (p. 178).  Hellevik (2019) suggests that because online communication lowers behavioural inhibitions, this could be a reason why digital abuse is becoming more common in young people’s relationships (p. 179).  In Quicksand the catalyst to Sebastian’s ultimate breakdown is a video released of Maya who is clearly high on the drugs that he provided her at a party as she can no longer deal herself with the abuse she is suffering at his hands with social media “trolls” commenting on her state.  Lumsden and Morgan (2017) found in their study of how the media impacts online abuse suggests that when a female is involved the media would “victim blame” which perpetrates the homo-social cultures and relations that can marginalise and disrupt the truth claims of women (p. 936).  This is particularly evident with Sebastian in this case who is more concerned about the comments of the “trolls” rather than the well-being of his partner. (217 Words)