Your summer watchlist: 15 shows you can watch to beat the heat
By Sundi Rose
13. Dietland
The rundown: Plum Kettle is a shy, introverted writer, struggling with her weight and self-esteem. She works as a ghostwriter for a popular teen magazine, answering letters to the very beautiful and successful editor, played by Julianna Marguiles and a red wig.
Plum is saving up for a weight loss surgery, but struggles to lose the required amount of weight to undergo the procedure. She frets over every calorie, every bite, and it takes a toll on her mental health. In the meantime, she is approached by a woman who might be in a ultra-feminist cult, and she is also being recruited by the daughter of a wellness guru for some sort of health revolution.
Why it’s summer fun: Although tonally it’s pretty dark and macabre, it’s still worth the watch. Even though there’s a lot going on, it really makes Plum into a nuanced, well-rounded character, that millions of women can relate too.
It’s stacked full of interesting, varied, female characters – almost exclusively, in fact – and offers an unexpected view of the world. Depending on your perspective, Dietland can seem wildly unsettling, revolutionary and subversive or just plain weird. Doesn’t that sound fun?
Where to watch it: It’s a brand new show on AMC, so you will probably have to watch past episodes on AMC’s website. Check it out, but don’t be surprised if you don’t know what to say about it or how to talk about it. It’s pretty weird, but in a good way.