HBO’s newest series ‘The Idol‘ dropped its second episode on Sunday night. But barely had the episode aired on TV, when social media was flooded with annoyed viewers venting their disgust and ire at the episode.
A little digging reveals that their disgust is directed primarily at a particular s*x scene in ‘The Idol’ Episode 2. Some, including British publication GQ, have even gone so far as to call it the worst s*x scene in the history of TV. Phew, that is strong criticism indeed!
So what is it about the s*x scene in ‘The Idol’ Episode 2 that has riled up viewers infinitely?
The s*x scene in question appears in the final minutes of Episode 2 of The Idol. But…..there’s no s*x in the scene, only a lot of dirty talk — the kind that horny 14-year-old school boys get a kick out of. The dirty talk, mouthed by a weirdly inexpressive The Weeknd, is so without passion or sexiness, and so gross and cringe that it makes you want to simply run to the washroom and puke your heart out.
The scene centres on a vulnerable Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) and Tedros (Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye), as they indulge in weird kinky s*x. Jocelyn is lying naked and spreadeagled on the bed, with a blindfold around her eyes. Tedros is fully clothed, and talking dirty to Jocelyn, saying things like “I want to grab you by the a** while I suffocate you with my c*ck”, and “F***in’ stretch that tiny, little p****”.
Jocelyn masturbates to the cringey lines, arguably the worst lines ever written for a s*x scene. And just as her moans begin to get as cringey as the bad dialogues, Tedros steps in to finish off the act, which is never shown, mind you, only hinted at.
To add even more fuel to viewers’ disgust with the scene is that The Weeknd has zero sex appeal or charisma to justify Jocelyn’s rapturous sexual reaction to him. Most viewers are of the opinion that the dialogues and kinky s*x in The Idol are so gross and cringey that it seems as if the plot has been written by a horny 13-year-old who’s just discovered s*x for the first time. They also think that creator Sam Levinson, has gone overboard in sexualising its lead protagonist, and in its graphic scenes.
A user wrote on Twitter, “i’m sick to my stomach pls put a content warning”
Another commented, “i think that this episode is the last one i watch bc i can’t deal with how the women are treated in this show”.
One viewer just gave up – “Thats it i am NEVER watching the Idol”.
While another ranted, “Everguys stop liking tweets related to that one scene from the idol I’M TRAUMATIZED”.
Viewers have called The Idol Episode 2 filthy, disgusting, crazy, and what not.
Check this, “um excuse me the idol is absolutely filthy”.
And this, “I will never see the weeknd the same after this”
While another declared, “Sam Levinson is just gross for the weird scenes in the idol”
A Twitter user warned those who’ve not watched The Idol yet, “If you though euphoria was too graphic, dont ever watch The Idol”
While another ranted, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA here I thought some of the p0rn videos I watched was bad enough, here comes The Idol”.
Have a look at some of the criticism directed at The Idol Episode 2 –
For those who don’t know, The Idol is raking in viewing numbers like no other HBO show of recent times, beating Euphoria and The White Lotus in most views for the opening episode. It is also one of the most popular shows at HBO currently. The Idol has triggered dollops of controversy owing to its graphic sexual content and bold themes. The show comes from Sam Levinson, who’s also the creator of the equally controversial and sexually-explicit HBO show, ‘Euphoria’. Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye and Reza Fahim are co-creators of The Idol.