The Take
This is the Take. It's where you come to understand more about your favorite movies, shows and culture. Our video essays make the story worlds you enter richer and deeper. Think: Endings Explained, Character Studies, Hidden Messages and Symbols Revealed, Actor and Director Profiles, and more.
We want to share our love of visual culture with the world. So here's our Take.
401
Margot Robbie’s Barbie - How The Doll Became Fe...
Who is the real Barbie, and who is she for? Here’s our take on how Barbie has managed to remain relevant and iconic for so long, and the essence of this character that’s persisted across her series of changing models.
11 min
402
What Daria says about the 90s (and today)
Daria made it cool to be a wry and cynical loner and was the picture-perfect example of ‘90s alienation. Years later, Daria still resonates with anyone who’s ever questioned whether the problem is you or the system you’re living in.
19 min
403
How the "Diva" label went from insulting to iconic
The term is often thrown around as an insult, but the diva is a figure of self-created power many of us can take inspiration from. Here’s our Take on why the diva has become an icon to so many people.
12 min
404
Everything Everywhere All At Once - Every Symbo...
True to its name, Everything Everywhere All At Once has a lot going on. What’s the deeper symbolism?
14 min
405
Who's the real Jennifer Aniston?
Jennifer Aniston was the archetypal girl next door of the 90s – but has that label limited her career, and did it ever actually represent who she really was?
17 min
406
The Brainy Brunette Trope - Why people think sh...
Bookish, quiet, intelligent… and brown haired? The brainy brunette is embedded in our culture, but why do we correlate female smarts with hair color?
13 min
407
Riverdale's Jughead is the ultimate indie jerkboy
Riverdale's Jughead Jones is part of a longer tradition of obnoxious, indie guys in movies and TV who serve to make the rest of the cast look good by comparison, and give us someone we love to hate.
17 min
408
Sex and The City - What each lady tells you abo...
Are you a Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, or Miranda? For years, Sex and the City viewers have used this question as a kind of sorting hat or personality quiz. Each woman feels so real, distinct, and clearly defined – so we can easily see ourselves in them. So, which one are you – and what can we learn from each of the ladies?
18 min
409
Closeted Bullies are all over our screens. How ...
The "closeted homophobe" trope dominates pop culture today, from Power of the Dog to Sex Education. So why is this tired cliche still so easy to spot?
19 min
410
What's So Great About Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary has become an unlikely hit and critical darling. So what makes it so fresh, and popular? The characters are endearing and place in a setting that’s, above all, realistic.
21 min
411
Bridgerton Season 3 - Big Theories and Predictions
Bridgerton will be back for a third round of perfect couples, pastel frocks and lots of flirting – here’s what we know, what we don’t, and our Take on what might be in store for our favorite Georgian beaus!
14 min
412
The Depp-Heard Trial is an ugly, scary trial by...
The court case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is messy, complicated, and full of mixed evidence for and against each person – so why has so much of the online response rushed to assume his innocence and her guilt?
14 min
413
Dune, Ending Explained - Why Paul is a Tragic Hero
Like an ancient Greek tragic hero, Dune's Paul Atreides has options to avoid his inevitable downfall, but instead leans into his fatal flaws – his desires for power and revenge, thus becoming all of the things he's afraid of.
9 min
414
Romantic stories are full of red flags. Why do ...
Dating red flags persistently get romanticized in modern media – but they should probably send you running for the hills IRL.
16 min
415
How the Tech Villain Became Today’s Most Hated ...
Tech villains on screen are nearly as old as film itself, but the trope is surging today – reflecting the non-stop stories of tech companies behaving badly.
22 min
416
Modern Family’s Claire is the Perfect "Husband-...
Modern Family’s Claire Dunphy refuses to remain boxed in by prescriptive and restrictive roles, making her the model for the husband-wife.
15 min
417
Age Gap Relationships Onscreen - Why They Bothe...
Age gap relationships make us uncomfortable, but where exactly is the line – and can they ever be a good thing? Right now, these relationships are being explored a lot in culture, for good and for bad.
18 min
418
The Bookworm Princess Hero - Beauty and The Bea...
Belle is the ultimate bookworm hero princess. Her skills like empathy, insight, and knowledge aren’t as flashy as princess-type characters with superpowers or fierce warrior skills. But Belle’s model of heroine is an important one that we probably need more than ever.
20 min
419
The Tragedy of Will Smith - What Made Him Snap
Will Smith has been a pillar in Hollywood for decades – until his decision to slap Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars seemingly toppled his carefully-built reputation overnight. So what happened inside Will Smith’s mind in that moment?
18 min
420
The Quarter-Life Crisis Is More Stressful Than ...
Quarter-life stories onscreen make us see that recognizing this crisis can be an impetus to go out and get what you want from your life at exactly the right time. Because in your twenties you have so much more of life left to live.
19 min
421
Parks and Recreation - Why Everyone Loves Ron S...
Parks and Rec's Ron Swanson is a mix of three key myths that underpin our culture: the manly man, the authentic libertarian, and the wise elder. This vintage superhero teaches us how to feel hopeful about the world, even when we don't all agree.
20 min
422
How Pamela Anderson is Reclaiming Her Bombshell...
Pamela Anderson has long been defined by her infamous sex tape. Now, with an upcoming official Pamela Anderson documentary, it looks like Pam is finally aiming to retake control of her narrative, her way.
20 min
423
Why Bruce Willis (And His Career) Deserve Respect
Bruce Willis is more than an action hero, and as he ushered in a new kind of movie star, he cemented his place as one of the most influential actors of his era. So how did he do it?
20 min
424
The Antihero Problem - What They All Fear
Most antiheroes repeat the same mistakes in their lives and commit monstrous acts as they pass their emotional trauma on to future generations. But why?
24 min
425
Bridgerton Season 2 - Why We Love Enemies-to-Lo...
In Season 2 of Bridgerton, Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma are star crossed lovers, but rather than being thwarted by external forces, it’s their internal hostility to one another that gets in the way of their obvious desire.
20 min