How did I miss this powerful show?

I’m strongly against trauma packaged for entertainment so I was relieved and pleased to discover that Unbelievable is not at all what I expected. Based on true events, this 2019 drama prizes victim experience over voyeurism.

The eight-part series, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning piece An Unbelievable Story of Rape, is written by established novelists Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman and screenwriter Susannah Grant — and it shows. The writing is real, and the work comes to life with actors Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, Kaitlyn Dever, and Danielle Macdonald.

Writers T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, of ProPublica, were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for their “examination and exposé of law enforcement's enduring failures” in the rape investigations. Their work was featured on This American Life, and created the foundation for the Netflix docuseries.

I offer details of the story behind the show because good writing matters. Writing, when it is solid, strong, nuanced, complex and clear, forms the basis for understanding, for empathy and illumination, for real and systemic change.

Because so much of our televised entertainment is now broad sweeps for easy laughs or airbrushed perfection that makes everyone too good, too bad, too beautiful, it’s a relief to stumble upon subtlety and complication. I rally for good writing because it creates resonance, which creates trust, which creates connection and understanding.

And yet good writing is rare. I can count on one hand television shows with writing (and acting) that elevates and resonates; The Wire and Treme, both by journalist-turned-screenwriter David Simon, will always top my list.

On this Thankful Thursday, I’m thankful for art that addresses and reveals, and for good writing, directing, and acting.

Please join me in Thankful Thursday, a weekly pause to express appreciation for people, places, things — big or small, pea-sized or profound.

What are you thankful for today?