Nostalgia for the Soviet times (or lack thereof)

The Boy’s Word: Blood on the Asphalt is a hugely popular Russian TV series. “Hugely popular” is my interpretation of the feedback I’m hearing from my close Russian friends and some of the voices I follow on social media. Many commentators say it’s high quality. Apparently, the series is popular in Ukraine too.

I’ve not watched it. I have a problem with all TV series. I like movies but never have the patience to watch sequential cinematic installments. My teenage sons keep telling me that Breaking Bad is the most essential piece of pop culture. I did watch a few episodes even before they told me, but I didn’t last long.

I watched the trailer for “The Boy’s Word.” The show revolves around the lives and violence of youth gangs in the 1980s during the waning years of the Soviet Union.

I am not the least bit interested in the plot, the spirit of the series, and how it romanticizes crime and violence. Generally, as I go through life, I find myself less interested in themes of violence as depicted in pop culture. I still consider Scorcese’s Goodfellas and The Departed to be my favorite movies, but, like I said, I’m less interested in the depiction of violence, fictional or semi-fictional. Secondly, these days, I’m especially not interested in the reminder of all the violence that took place in my ex-home country or because of it.

But I am interested in all things pop culture, so I’m not categorical about not watching this particular show or any other show for…