Jay Rohr
I’m a Virgo is a series primed to satirize society in a way that is gold. Recently premiered on Amazon Prime Video, the first episode establishes a multifaceted look at so many things prevalent in the modern world nothing contemporary is spared. Yet, it also feels like a criticism that fires back across time. Furthermore, I’m a Virgo reminds anyone what it means to feel out of place and find solace in representation.
The story centers around the character Cootie played by Jharrel Jerome. He’s a 13-foot giant. Something that causes his parents no small bit of trouble, especially as they try to hide him from the world. Though they secret Cootie for his own good, as a teenager he can’t help taking a chance to leave his hideaway. For better or worse, his interactions with the wider world promise to make him more aware of society as well as finally give him a chance to grow.
Right from the get-go there’s a wonderful sense not only of Cootie’s frustration with his situation but the fact it’s an inescapable aspect of his reality. In other words, he was born into this difficulty. No matter how unfair, these obstacles will always be a part of his life and are by no means his choosing. While it’s most obviously a perfect metaphor for racial discrimination, I’m a Virgo opens the window on other instances where people are born outsiders.
At risk of spoilers, there’s a wonderful scene where LaFrancine played perfectly by Carmen Ejogo gives Cootie a comic book. When he sees an African American superhero in action it’s easy to see how important such an image is for a growing child. At the same time, it sets up the looming evil of a comic book artist turned real life “hero” played by Walton Goggins.
In this first episode, I’m a Virgo excels at set ups. Showrunner Boots Riley is no stranger to satirizing society in surreal ways. Case in point, his phenomenal film Sorry to Bother You. And this show opens a wide spectrum of possibilities to explore. There’s public perception, the nature of heroism, the well-meaning hypocrisy of parents, how justice is flawed, and the struggles of parenting in a frighteningly flawed world.
Given how society treats average sized African Americans, it’s no wonder Cootie’s parents worry about his well-being. Yet, like any teenager, he bristles against their concerns. However well-intentioned they may be, he needs to experience the world for himself. Unfortunately, those moments not only confirm the worst but expose him to wider potential for harm. The overarching metaphor being one any parent can understand, especially those who must deal with the world’s hideous multitude of bigotry. Yet, these instances do set up the potential for Cootie to begin dealing with the world as opposed to abstract evils. Again, it’s not something any parent wants, but is the reality of raising children in this fearsomely flawed world—they can only be hidden from the truth for so long.
That said, the first episode does set up how Cootie’s parents have been preparing for this inevitable situation. They even try to show their son what inspired their actions. All of which make sense. So, I’m a Virgo establishes the difficulty of being a parent very well. It represents how good intentions may be for the best while still frustrating those they benefit.
It’s this level of complexity, done softly without exposition hammering it home, that makes the watch a wonderfully smooth ride. The decisions by LaFrancine and Martisse (Mike Epps) make sense to any parent but particularly those who have to deal with prejudice. It doesn’t hurt that the show is written with a sense of humor that makes everything serious palatable.
Visually there are obvious metaphors about Cootie failing to literally fit into situations. However, even when obvious I’m a Virgo manages to make other points which are less blunt. When he gets out into the wider world, thanks to his new friends, admirably portrayed by Kara Young, Brett Gray, and Allius Barnes, Cootie feels larger than life for the first time ever. Being giant is no longer something awkward, but an aspect of himself that makes him and his new friends legends.
It’ll be interesting to see where I’m a Virgo goes from here. The potential to explore media representation as well as capitalism and racial issues is already well established. It certainly helps such topics are in the hands of someone who has already done well exploring them.
Cinematically, the show is a solid eye catcher. Comedy abounds in surreal moments such as Cootie trying to dance in a club or go to a fast-food joint. But it also helps emphasize the broader notion of how a person sees themselves in relation to the world, the ways in which people don’t fit in comfortably given the “normal” dimensions everything else is designed around.
How well this all comes together remains to be seen. Personally, I’m confident Boots Riley will do well guiding this material to a fruitful conclusion. Performances by the cast in this first episode have already established a quality show. The tapestry these threads weave will be the deciding factor. But if “You a Big Muthafucka” is any indication, I’m a Virgo is worth watching.
