Ignorance Is Bliss

It’s that time of year again, folks! Time for television shows to attempt to increase their popularity. Some shows try to stay relevant by making a parent dab, referencing memes, and, perhaps worst of all, introducing a character of color with an incredibly problematic backstory. Nothing is safe from pandering television executives.

These elaborate schemes usually involve crucial information previously concealed from the existing characters, the audience, and probably the show writers themselves. And they are usually riddled with contrived attempts to tug at our nonexistent heartstrings. That’s why I was confused, nay, DUMBFOUNDED when I heard about the “Powerpuff Girls” reboot.

First of all, why are they making a comeback? Like Justin Timberlake’s ramen hair or bedazzled anything, some things should rest in the digital dustbins of history (i.e. Tumblr). Besides, the final nail in the coffin for “The Powerpuff Girls” was when they literally stuck the nail in the coffin of Bunny, the fourth sister, who exploded in Season 2 and took my innocence with her.

Despite all my misgivings, I gave this worn out TV show a shot.

The new reboot involves a new, fourth (technically, fifth!) sister, called Bliss. Bliss was created by the doctor before any of the current girls. Unlike the other girls, and most cartoon characters, Bliss was a dark-skinned hero who—at first—seemed pretty badass.

But remember those improbable, problematic backstories I mentioned? She’s got one! To add a little twist, a dash of whimsy, the showrunners made Bliss unable to control her emotions. She’s a hothead who literally explodes with emotion. After (literally) burning down their house because she didn’t get her milk on time, she flies off to “Bird Poop Island” and lives there throughout the show.

I’m all for making attempts to incorporate characters of color. Bliss, however, was written into “The Powerpuff Girls” with a slew of problems, a troubled history, and a garish color scheme that does not put her character on equal footing with Bubbles, Blossom, or Buttercup.

I’m going to buy three more paint-by-numbers kits to keep my stress about this down. Nothing is safe. Nothing is sacred.

In the meantime, I encourage you to keep your TV shows safe, and sometimes that means dead.