Lets Chat: Servant TV Series

Servant a new show on Apple TV+, explores themes of family, trust, and witchcraft?

What is Servant really about? Is Leanne casting some weird spell over the Turners and their home? What is up with her uncle?

M. Night Shyamalan's Servant, generally, is about a husband, Sean (played by Toby Kebbell) and wife Dorothy (played by Lauren Ambrose), trying their best to deal with whatever disturbing events that lead up to their son, Jericho's death. The solution was for Dorothy to have a therapy doll. A doll that looks exactly like a baby. But it's not real, or is it? The couple hire a nanny, Leanne, (played by Nell Tiger Free- love that name), a tiny framed, religious girl who looks like she is playing into the nanny role for a doll a little too much.

“Servant is provocative, disturbing, and challenges how people deal with stress and horrific situations.”

The series takes place in Sean and Dorothy's immaculate home in Philadelphia. Sean quickly becomes skeptical of Leanne after he discovers a cross made of corn husks over Jericho's bed. This makes Sean believe she is into spiritual, voodoo stuff. But does not want to bring it up to Dorothy out of fear she will wake up from her psychological break.

Why I love the show

This show is unlike any show I've seen before, its slow paced, beautifully shot, and has a tight cast. If I had to, I would compare it to the same tone as Orphan and Hannibal. The show uses Sean's job as an at home chef to display some odd dishes, and how he prepares them, similar to Hannibal Lector's cooking scenes. I mention Orphan, because Leanne reminds me so much of Esther's character, mysterious, mischievous, and creepy.

I find the series makes the audience constantly question what is happening in the scenes. The characters are awkward around each other and aggressive. Everyone has their own motives, known or unknown. Dorothy clearly loves her son more than her husband, and Sean and his brother in law, Julian, (played by Rupert Grint), both give more time to investigating into Leanne's past than in Dorothy. Dorothy is certainly struggling to keep her shit together most of the time. Her facial expressions throughout the series are eerie and yet so welcoming to Leanne.

No Spoilers!

I don't want to give away too much, I haven't finished the series yet myself. Servant is provocative, disturbing, and challenges how people deal with stress and horrific situations. I hope the truth of what happened to Jericho isn't too grim. I'll write more after I see the finale.

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